The concept album is an art that isn’t exercised nearly as much as we would like, but Nashville based musicians The Protomen are taking the notion of a story and blowing it up to absolutely epic proportions. This band, which really is more of a cast of characters, has created an entire world of alter-egos and recently released the second installment in their story, aptly titled Act II.
The work of The Protomen is based on elements of the NES game Mega Man, but twists the plot with their own take the story, which paints a largely dark and foreboding Orwellian nightmare. Those who are familiar with the video game will understand this plot with no trouble, but for those who are less informed, The Protomen may go over your heads.
In this version of the tale instead of wreaking small time havoc with six robot masters, Dr. Wily has effectively crushed the spirit of mankind with his mass of machines. Dr. Light still creates the character Protoman, but over the course of twelve years and in secret. Protoman is symbolic as a savior, given the title “the son of Light.” Protoman is created to stand up against the leaders of Dr. Wily’s robot army, but is defeated. Though at first his spirit is broken, instead of standing down Dr. Light creates a second robot, Megaman, who takes it upon himself to continue the fight. What we learn next is that the previously thought to be destroyed Protoman is indeed alive, but now leading the robot army because of his belief that “there are no heroes left in Man.”
The story continues to paint a contrast between hope and loss of faith, with an eventual defeat and the conclusion that “…a hero is just a man who knows he is free”.
Though the story is clearly much more detailed than that, we simply cannot divulge all the details in their entirety here- its something that has to be gleamed from listening to the epic two-part tale the band has created.
In the 2009 released Act II the saga continues, and while we’re hearing about the same story, musically it is a departure from Act I. With the stories focus now being on the time before society had been shrouded in darkness, this second installment brings in a larger variety of musical elements. Produced by Alan Sacklock (Meatloaf, The Alarm, Bonnie Tyler, Roger Daltry) and mastered with Richard Dodd (Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, George Harrison), with additional production input from the band, Act II is a record with much more backing behind it than the genre “video game music” probably leads people to expect.
From the instrumental intro and Johnny Cash-esque voice heard in the half-spoken track ‘The Good Doctor’ to the epic choir and crashing cymbals of tracks like ‘Give Us The Rope’, the dark, brooding story of Act I is still present. However we hear examples of the bands Nashville roots in songs like ‘Father of Death’ and a rocking n’ rolling vibe of Psychobilly in ‘The Hounds’- a divergence from the darkness of previous Protomen work.
There’s also an undeniable allusion to 80’s metal throughout all of The Protomen’s tracks, with the addition of a horn section, oodles of synth, and strings backing up their sound. With theatrical qualities in their vocals akin to the likes of Franz Nicolay at some points, and at others of a more epic hair metal quality, The Protomen are without a doubt one of the most unique and complex acts we’ve come across.
Though we know our job here at Reviewsic is to pick apart albums in order to properly explain them to new listeners, this is one that pushes even our comprehension. The Protomen are simply a band that needs to be heard in order to be understood, because of the combination of theme, character, and over all composition. Fortunately the band is currently on tour, so curious listeners far and wide will have the chance to experience The Protomen live, just as they are meant to be heard.
Chicagoans can experience The Protomen for themselves this Thursday, April 1st at the Beatkitchen along with Super 8 Bit Brothers and Alter Eagle. Show at starts 8pm, 17+ $8 advanced, $10 at the door.
Sometimes as midweek rolls around we all start to see that cup as more half empty than full. While Wednesday really is all that much closer to Friday, it can be hard when you realize there are STILL two more working days before the weekend. So in honor of that feeling of “Ugh, Do I really have to drag myself out of bed?” we bring you 5 songs to bring the pep back into your step.
Lizard Song- Via Audio, Animalore
And the Hazy Sea- Cymbals Eat Guitars, Why There Are Mountains
Shelter- The Dead Trees, King of Rosa
Zombies are Zen- The Debutante Hour, The Birth and Death of Meaning
Not In The Mood For Kiwi- Save Your Breath, Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy
Fresh from finishing the recording of their upcoming release, More Songs, Grown Ups are heading to the East Coast and then some as they embark on a lengthy tour that will take them as far as Spain. The four-piece band has been doing residential double duty in Chicago and Furnessville, IN, while doing the all too familiar juggling act of college, work, and touring, why still finding time to release their debut EP Songs in 2009.
Inspired by such bands as Colossal and Jimmy Eat World, the boys in Grown Ups graduated into pop punk from their past screamo bands, a change their many fans surely appreciate. Slightly gravelly and loose vocals front a collection of trilling, sometimes-spacey guitars, cymbal heavy percussion, and catchy hooks that make it hard not to nod along. The band has shared two new tracks, ‘Weed Science’ and ‘Pears’ online, both of which hold true to the slight 90’s emo/ garage band feel the band has played in the past, akin to fellow locals Castavet and Into it. Over it.
With lines like “I’m not sure what we’ve been after/I’m scared of change/what scares me worse is that you’ll go and do it first” (Weed Science), the band delivers tracks that are relatable and likeable, and we’d call Grown Up’s new tracks lyrically honest and simple in the way that says, “This band gets to the point” not in the “they’re talking but not saying anything” way.
Essentially, Grown Ups is a band that you can count on finding a little bit of yourself in- be it lyrically, in their slight throwback sound, or in the fact that they’re clearly four friends having a good time. The bands first full-length More Songs will be out May 18th through Big Scary Monsters so be sure to mark yourcalendars for “fun”.
Chicagoans of all ages can enjoy a set by the quartet tomorrow at 6pm as the band playsRonny’s over at 2101 N. California ave.
Grown ups singer/guitarist Doyle Martin took the time to talk with Reviewsic about the bands biggest influences, dream tours, and what’s next for Grown Ups.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what the band has been up to as of late?
Doyle Martin: Ah, trying to find jobs that are cool with our band schedule. 3 of us are rigorously trying to not flunk out of college. I may speak for myself but I can’t see us hitting the books too hard next year. Figuring out how to get passports. Procrastinating, and playing shows with our buddies.
Reviewsic: We know you’re already about to embark on a great tour…but: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Doyle Martin: Metallica circa 1986. Why? To smoke a jazz cigarette with Cliff and tell him to watch out for black ice. Lucero. Why? I love that sad bastard music. Weezer, only if they played the World has Turned though.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Doyle Martin: Jimmy Eat World, The Smiths, Colossal
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Doyle Martin: I don’t play a Rickenbacker, and I wish I did.
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Doyle Martin: Galaxie 500: On Fire, His Hero is Gone: 15 Counts of Arson, Codeine: The White Birch
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Doyle Martin:Scott Weiland.
Reviewsic: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Doyle Martin: One of the dudes from the Monkees with my aunt and my mother at a fair.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Doyle Martin: The Syndicate, Blood In/Blood Out, Like Bats
Reviewsic: What’s the backstory on how the band came to be what it is today?
Doyle Martin: Fuzzy and I were roommates at our shitty house called The Creephole. Adam Sheets wanted to move out of his folks place, so he came and squatted with us. Adam and I were in a screamo band and then we realized that there’s no chicks that come to those shows so we started a pop punk band. Our bass player at the time was getting too hyphy, so we got our new bassist Andy Tokarski who also made the screamo to pop punk conversion as many of us have before. We taught him our demo and wrote some new ones with him. Toured a little in the winter, recorded with Matt Allison and Justin at Atlas Recordings out of Chicago, and that pretty much brings you up to speed.
Reviewsic: Tell us about More Songs- is there a particular concept behind it? What was the process of making the album like?
Doyle Martin: I wouldn’t want to say that there’s a definitive concept regarding More Songs. Lyrically it’s just what I’ve done or haven’t done the last 6 months or so. My reading material, going to the beach, sea life, moving, winning, losing, ghosts, the occult, my pets, cleaning out our new house. The artwork has a theme. I suppose we just wanted to make a cool mess and have our roommate Jay take photos of it. The artwork looks like a ritual of sorts. I liked concept of a Ouija board. I fully support semi-legitimate attempts at communing with the dead.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians with this release as opposed to the release of Songs?
Doyle Martin: I think we’ve taken a few steps in the right direction as far as our musicianship goes. The re-recorded tracks off Songs are incredibility more satisfying for us than the older versions. I also think our newest addition Andy really holds down the rhythm fort with Fuzzy live. Recording at Atlas really made us tight as shit too. I love when I see a band live right after they recorded.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities/venues to play?
Doyle Martin: The Cycle Space in Baltimore has always been so awesome and giving to us. Great dudes, Cheap beer.
The Lemp Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. Mark the owner is an incredible, down to Earth dude that makes us good food and knows what having a DIY venue is all about.
And of course Chicago’s great. We have a lot of good forward-thinking friends up there that know how to have a good time and do shows at their houses
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Doyle Martin: Best: In theory, telling my ma I’m going to Amsterdam with an actual purpose.
Worst: Constantly overdrawing my account. Throwing away my money on a sheetbox of a van. Power Van 5000 gets us from point A to point B though.
Reviewsic: Individually, how did you get your starts in music?
Doyle Martin: Metallica fishing trips with my Uncle.
Reviewsic: What are three words you’d use to describe your music to someone who’s never heard it?
Doyle Martin: Fast, High, Youthful
Reviewsic: What are three items essential to your “tour survival kit”?
Doyle Martin: Lighter, cigarettes, tea bags
Reviewsic:. What are your plans for your music in the next year?
Doyle Martin: Get our album reviewed in High Times. Tour with the Get Up Kids. Evade college and work. Get more tattoos.
Having our own history working in big box record stores, we know that Tuesday’s tend to be big release days in the entertainment world. In light of it being a Tuesday,(and honestly, what else do Tuesday’s really offer?) we bring you this installment of our ‘List of 5′ series:
5 New Albums Out This Week
Click any of the album covers to check out more information.
At the center and a smidge to the north of the every blooming Midwestern music scene is experimental indie rock/ post-hardcore band Hail Archer. Though this five-piece band was incepted in Milwaukee just twoyears ago, they’ve already gained great backing from fans all over, as well as the praise of many a music media outlet. Named one of the Top 8 Unsigned Bands by Alternative Press Magazine, as well as being voted Hometown Heroes in the same publication, Hail Archer was also been predicted to be “Big in 2009” by Crescendo Magazine, a speculation most likely based on the bands victory in the Emerging Artists Series at Summerfest of 2008. Playing such festivals as Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos in addition to the slew of shows they’ve played out in the past two years, its obvious that this band is doing something right.
Evidence of just what that is can be found in their most recent EP Leave Your Body Behind, which the band put out in the fall of 2009 and are courteously offering as a free download on their tumblr for a limited time. Leave Your Body Behind is a brilliant display of the union between heavy and heartfelt that Hail Archer has created. Though their appearance gives off the impression of something hearty and harsh, there is an unforeseen delicateness in this bands sound thanks to the swoon worthy croon of front-man Brian Tombari. Taking a shine to the atmospheric aggression of bands like Thrice, Circa Survive, and The Receiving End of Sirens, Hail Archer’s Leave Your Body Behind is six tracks of well formed frequencies sure to please most listeners.
From its ambient intro akin to the style in Lydia’s Illumuniate, Hail Archer stops any assumption that they may be a minimalist band in its tracks as ‘Stormbringer’ punches through the din with its driving guitars and thoracic tempo. It is here that we get our first taste of the richly layered sound and subtle harmonies found all throughout the album.
‘Bury This in Texas’, which was previously seen on the bands self-titled EP, wastes no time, kick starting itself with wailing guitars and vocals that rise and fall in perfect unison with their accompaniment. Harmonious backing vocals couple Tombari’s voice, leading into a breakdown of heavy screams, and crunching guitars, making it one of the most aggressive tracks on the EP.
Songs like ‘Fearing Forever’ and ‘Decades Underground’ take a more melodic approach, but even at their most slow paced Hail Archer keeps their listeners alert with guitar riffs and yells that harden any soft spots found in these tracks.
There are two distinct things that make Hail Archer such a stand out act: the powerhouse belting of Brian Tombari and the musician’s expert judgment in their song layouts. We imagine the writing process of Hail Archer to be much like the work of a skilled chef-knowing just when a pinch of this or a dash of that is needed, how long to marinate their melodies before adding the next ingredient, and always garnishing their final product with just the right harmony or shout.
This talent is none more present than in ‘Manipulated Living’, the final track of this EP, which recaptures the melodic moments and the heavy hitters of Leave Your Body Behind in a thrilling give-and-take that delivers subtle, throaty yells underneath its spacey guitars and cymbal heavy percussion.
One listen to any one of these songs will answer any questions about why this band is catching on so quickly, and surely will arouse an interest in what Hail Archer is bringing to the table next.
Guitarist Andrew Balfour divulged in some shoptalk with us earlier this month. Keep reading to learn all about Hail Archers beginning, the first live band Andrew ever saw, and the new music the Milwaukee musicians will be working on this summer.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what the band has been up to as of late?
Andrew Balfour: We have been writing a lot of new music and are preparing to go into the studio this summer to put out a new release. We are trying to stay as focused as we can on putting out the best songs possible.
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Andrew Balfour: Deftones, Thrice, Smashing Pumpkins. All of those bands are bands who paved the way for music today. It would be an honor to share the stage with them and would be great to hear good music every night.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Andrew Balfour: It’s hard to pin down specific influences but I would say that Deftones, Thrice and Smashing Pumpkins are bands that everyone in the band can agree upon.
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Andrew Balfour: It would be great to pick up all different instruments and play them fluently. If I had to pick one though, I would probably pick the Piano.
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Andrew Balfour: My iPod has a tendency to clear itself from time to time, so the only things I have on my iPod right now are the new Silversun Pickups record, “Swoon” and the new Oceansize EP, “Home and Minor.” Other than that I have lots of Hail Archer demos and demos from our friends bands. It’s definitely time to update my library.
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Andrew Balfour: Dave Sardy. What he did with Barkmarket and the record “L.Ron” are sonically amazing. The dynamics and tones that are found throughout that record, and his entire body of work are untouchable. All of his records have a raw feel that is hard to find in recordings today.
Reviewsic: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Andrew Balfour: Blink 182. I was 14 years old once and not afraid to admit it.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Andrew Balfour: Local to Milwaukee would have to be Red Knife Lottery, Bosio and a tie between our friends in Mechanical Kids and Sleep Serapis Sleep.
Reviewsic: What’s the backstory on how the band came to be what it is today?
Andrew Balfour: We started back in 2008. We found a group of guys from other bands who we thought would mesh well on a personal and professional level. After about a year and a half with the group our drummer decided to leave the group. We then started working with an incredibly talented drummer who definitely took the bands music to a whole new level. His maturity and knowledge of the drums was something that we definitely lacked in the past and has helped us progress to exciting new levels.
Reviewsic: Tell us about the new music you’ll be recording this summer- is there a particular concept behind it? What the process of making an album like for you?
Andrew Balfour: We are still working out concepts and themes for the record, but we have definitely taken personal experience and are approaching it more openly and honestly. The new music so far has been more aggressive, experimental and authentic to our tastes and talents as a band. We want to incorporate as many aesthetics into our music as possible and leave ourselves fulfilled with how each song turns out. Songwriting for this particular record has been approached with an open mind and has been a collective effort to take our music to new heights. We want to treat our fans and new listeners to something that they haven’t heard out of us before.
Reviewsic: What most influences your direction as band?
Andrew Balfour: Personal experiences definitely push us down particular paths. However, we always try to find a silver lining and pull positive aspects from what we’ve gone through. We don’t necessarily try to follow a specific direction for every song, we do what is best for the song and the moment.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities to play?
Andrew Balfour: Eastern Canada and Grayslake, Illinois are always fun. Saint Louis is one of our favorite cities to play. We have amazing friends there who always treat us well. We always have fun in every city we play. When everyone in the band is together we like to make the most out of every situation.
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Andrew Balfour: The worst moment would have to be when almost all of our gear was stolen from us. The best moments definitely outweigh the negative ones. Every tour we’ve done has highlights o’plenty. Getting to play with Thursday at Taste of Chaos was pretty awesome too.
Reviewsic: Individually, how did you get your starts in music?
Andrew Balfour: We all have been playing for a very long time. Music is something that has always come natural to us and is something we’ve always strived to do as our careers. We’ve all paid our dues inold bands and would like to continue to move forward with our music careers.
Reviewsic: If Hail Archer were a secret band of superheroes, what would each of your powers be and who would be your arch nemesis?
Andrew Balfour: Clearly you’ve never heard of Captain Skuzz and the Browntones. Many tales have been told about the digestive powers of one man, Captain Reginald R. Skuzzard, but few have actually scene his lazer deuce cannon. As for our nemesis – anything Worm related.
Reviewsic: What are your plans for your music in the next year?
Andrew Balfour: Same thing we do every year… Try to take over the world.
A free double feature at Lincoln Hall and musicians of all shapes and sizes will be hitting up Chicago this week, so be sure to head out to your favorite venues and support local music.
In the once gritty terrain of the famed Jesse James a less violent but equally charming man by the name
of Darrin Seal is making music of the same quality. Saharan Gazelle Boy is the personal project of Seal, who also plays with the Kansas City based band Capybara. Under the moniker of Saharan Gazelle Boy Darrin brings to us his album, Airplanes Can’t- an eleven track tribute to the all too forgotten stylistic zeal of 80’s synth and keys, laced in just the right amount of indie experimentation to keep it current.
Airplanes Can’t starts off with a track brimming with indie sensibility, particularly in its guitar, percussion, and keyboard break mid-song, which brings a tiny hint of surf-y sound to ‘Aiming a Wave’. While the album over all is rather minimalist, with the empty room echo of songs like ‘Those Days’ and the simple but somewhat jazzy time signature of ‘I’m Not Tired’, Airplanes Can’t does pick up its pace in other tracks. Plugging bass and Cure-esque guitar are soaked in synth during ‘Cupid Song’ and ‘All Eyes’, a song we would believe was from a John Hughes film soundtrack if you someone told us so.
There’s a slight flatness to Seal’s vocals, which may not be for everyone, but this quality does see some relief in the whispery effect used in the previously mentioned ‘Cupid Song’ and ‘Electric Animals’. ‘For Jill’ and ‘Medicine Dreams’ are interesting in the experimental sense, forgoing traditional verse-chorus layouts for a twangy, eastern orient inspired instrumental track (save for a few “oh’s”) in the former, and an off kilter keyboard and vocal melody in the latter.
Hints of everything from MGMT to Bright Eyes lie within this release from Sarahan Gazelle Boy, and we can’t describe its usefulness any better than the label supporter of Airplanes Can’t, The Record Machine, does on their website, “Airplanes Can’t is at times a spacious record for a lazy summer spent underwater, and at other times a lofty dedication to fleeting but all-consuming love”
Airplanes Can’t can be downloaded for a mere $2 through The Record Machine’s online store.
There are some who might tell you that the last of 90’s Emo died out when Weezer sold out and the Kinsella’s started doing other things, but Philadelphia, PA musicians Everyone Everywhere are four hanger on-s to the genre we all loved once (whether some of us admit it or not).
Taking elements like Braids slightly unpolished guitar and Piebald’s boomerang vocal patterns, Everyone Everywhere are a band of ‘something old, something new, and something borrowed, something blue’. But don’t let that last statement fool you into thinking this is a band that’s going to be a downer- Everyone Everywhere have a distinct bop that’s sure to keep you tapping your foot, and lyrics that aren’t quite so sad as naysayers of Emo like to stereotype.
Last year the quartet put out their 7” A Lot of Weird People Standing Around, with much praise. And while the record is currently completely sold out, it is being repressed by Evil Weevil to be for sale again sometime soon. For now impatient music fans can download mp3’s of the songs courtesy of If You Make It. A band with obvious spirit and know how, Everyone Everywhere is a group that gives their listener both the feeling of a throw back, and the satisfaction of hearing music that’s moving forward.
This May the band will be releasing their Self-Titled LP, with pre-order already available- there’s only a few hundred copies of these bad boys, so be sure to reserve yours today.
Brendan McHugh, one part of the four that make up Everyone Everywhere was nice enough to answer a few questions for us. Check out his responses to learn the history behind the band, just who they’d love to work with in the music biz, and how handcuffs factor into their “best band moment.”
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what the band has been up to as of late (aside from the new music)?
Brendan McHugh: Matt’s still in school but he’s almost finished so he is doing that, Tommy just finished school in December and is working as a bicycle mechanic, Brendan Graham and I finished in May, he works as an economic analyst for a small research firm, and I am working in the production offices of films shooting in Philadelphia. We all go to CiCi’s pizza buffet in Cherry Hill quite frequently.
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Brendan McHugh: Michael Jackson to bring Michael Jackson back to life, The Beatles to bring John Lennon back to life, and Big Country to bring Stuart Adamson back to life. If we are being given the ability to bring dead people back to life, we would probably do that. We would get pretty rich on that tour and get to ride in a bus that would be cool.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Brendan McHugh: Architecture blogs, Arrested Development, and Facebook.
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Brendan McHugh: Drums, I don’t get drums.
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Brendan McHugh: I referred to my iTunes last played thing to find the last three full albums I listened to and they were the following:
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
Hammock - Raising Your Voice… Trying to Stop an Echo
Carissa’s Wierd - I Before E
Totally just chilling out and getting depressed listening to those bands.
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Brendan McHugh: Kevin Eubanks, we are big Tonight Show fans. Leno - king of late night. “Jaywalkin.”
Reviewsic: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Brendan McHugh: Hoobastank opening for Len Kravitz. It was also the best show I ever attended.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Brendan McHugh: Spraynard, Algernon Cadwallader, and It’s A King Thing.
Reviewsic: What’s the backstory on how the band came to be what it is today?
Brendan McHugh: It’s such a long boring story I will warn you to skip over it unless you are really truly interested. Matt, Brendan, and I started playing music together in high school. Once college started that fizzled out. Brendan and I started Everyone Everywhere just as a fun thing to write some songs and record them and then never do anything with those songs and that would be that. We never planned to play shows originally. And Matt and Tommy weren’t in the band at the start, our friends Luke and Chris were. We recorded 7 songs and that was the end of it for a few months. Then Tommy sent us a message on Myspace one day and said, “Hey guys. I like your songs, you guys seem really cool, really smart, really destined for success. Is your band still a band? I play guitar we should do something together, I like this stuff.” So then Brendan and I were like ‘hmm that’s a good idea we should do this band again’ and we were like, Matt want to play bass? Matt was like, ‘hello, I was in the jazz band, I can play the bass.’ So we got Matt on bass and Tommy on guitar. Chris continued to play guitar for a bunch of shows when he was home for college and a summer while Matt was interning in Los Angeles. Chris moved on and now has a full-time job in central PA. So now it is just the four of us.
Reviewsic: Tell us about the self-titled album- is there a particular concept behind it? What the process of making the album like?
Brendan McHugh: There is no particular concept, really. My goals are to try to write songs about things that people don’t typically write songs about and also to not make them too serious. That’s all for a theme or concept.
We write all of the music together, it is pretty collaborative, and we work out all of the instrumentals as a band. Just jammin and chillin out, man. Then, I usually write all of the lyrics in the week(s) leading up to recording. The instruments, more than the vocals, have always been the focus for us. Because I am lazy and like writing guitar parts more than I like singing.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians at the point of this new release as opposed to the release of your 7″ last year?
Brendan McHugh: I don’t know if we have really improved technically as musicians but I think (hope) we have gotten better as writers.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities to play?
Brendan McHugh: We haven’t really done tons of touring to have lots to choose from. Baltimore is fun usually. We liked hanging out in Chicago a lot.
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Brendan McHugh: The best moment was when Tommy bought police handcuffs on tour. He thoughtthey cost $3 but they cost $30. He naturally bought them anyway. The worst moment was when we realized that Tommy had handcuffs. We had to steal one of the spare keys from him to be safe.
Reviewsic: What are your plans for your music in the next year?
Brendan McHugh: Play a lot of shows and sell every copy of our LP and record another 7″ and do a split or two with some friends. And maybe get some new t-shirts to sell.
Who would have thought that reggae rock was a genre we’d be writing about more than once this week? A brand of music all too forgotten in the local scene, we first got to sing the praises of Alterna-Reggae Chicagoans Jackpot Donnie this week, and now here we are again as Long Islanders The Roast Beef Curtains bring us The Pleasure EP. Now before anyone rolls his or her eyes at the notion of this style or the bodacious bawdiness of such a band name, we have to go ahead and say that the RBC are as legit as they come. Clean vocals, just the right rhythms, and some Satana like guitar solos make up their formula for the exclusive punk/dub/reggae style they play.
The Pleasure EP is five tracks without fanfare or over-production, just straight beats with hints of rock and roll laced in their guitar riffs. From the more chill, straight reggae tracks like ‘L.I.B’, and ‘5th Base Girl’ we get a nice ‘take it easy’ vibe with a few brief solos and some spacey fills. ‘Rabbi David’ is the most punk song on the EP, complete with tongue in cheek lyrics, garage guitars and rapid percussion.
The Roast Beef Curtains even take a surprising shine to Weezer in their opening song ‘You’re Great’, which has the same slightly spoken chorus of a simple statement like, “You’re a really great person, you just don’t know it yet”, unpolished guitar, and high hat found all over Weezer’s songs pre-Make Believe.
Vocally The Roast Beef Curtains remind us a little of Reel Big Fish and Sublime, with just that hint of classic rock behind their punk/reggae persona.
We weren’t huge fans of the pace behind the previously mentioned ‘L.I.B’, and kept feeling like the build into something a little faster was just around the corner, but were sadly disappointed. The ending instrumental track ‘Salty Vile Dub’ also left us wanting more, mostly because it sounded all too similar to the instruments we’d been hearing for the whole album- The Pleasure EP would have sat better with us if it had gone out with a little more bang.
Nonetheless, if you’re in search of a new reggae/dub/punk band to strike your fancy, The Roast Beef Curtains could very well be it. You can find them rocking out the beaches of the east coast pretty much any given day, and if you’re headed out to Bonnaroo in June, they’ll be there too.
Two of the three fine men that make up the RBC took the time to talk with us recently. Check out what front man Andrew Gedacht and drummer Mike Celano had to say as they sat in our hot seat.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what the band has been up to as of late?
Andrew: When we’re not gigging, we are either practicing or recording. At the moment, we are keeping our local Long Island thing strong while taking the RBC dub party to New York City, Brooklyn and beyond!
Mike: The band has been balancing many different responsibilities, including playing gigs, writing new music, recording new tunes in the studio for our full-length record… keeping everything in check for Bonnaroo this June!
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any three bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Andrew: Ween - so beautifully weird and perfect; Mad Professor – ‘seen what he can do live and would love to have him dub with us; Bad Brains - just to watch them dub and thrash from all angles!
What are your top three musical influences?
Andrew: You could say the three artists just mentioned, but beyond that, dub producers and pioneers like King Tubby, original studio reggae bands like The Roots Radics, and hardcore punk groups like Minor Threat.
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Andrew: As a Weird Al fan, I think it would be cool to shred on the accordion. Plus, I could rock out some klezmer with my dad on his clarinet
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Andrew: I’ve been digging a lot of post-hardcore stuff. It’s almost dub-like when the grooves are stripped down…Fugazi, Refused…and I’ve rediscovered my love for the Gorillaz dub album, Laika Come Home.
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Andrew: Mike Watt, for sure - great musician and even better attitude towards people and music in general.
Mike: I’d have to say Iggy Pop…although I might just end up partying with him instead….
Reviewsic: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Andrew: I might have seen Madonna back in the day, but I think I repressed that memory.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Andrew: There are some cool Long Island bands like “Royal City Riot”, but to branch out to all of NY, I would have to mention “Says She’s Ms Blat” out of Brooklyn, and “Drunk Driver” out of NYC.
Reviewsic: What’s the back-story on how the band came to be what it is today?
Andrew: John (bass) and I have known each other since grade school and were playing in bands together since middle school. The bands all had different names and revolving doors as far as personnel (except the two of us). We came to the realization, only recently, that people were leaving because we’re nuts. Anyway, we both went to Hofstra University and worked at the radio station there, where we met Mike (equally as nuts) and it seemed to just fit. We played all over and discovered what we wanted to do through it all. The approach was - and is - to do real-time live dubs and dub effects onstage and mix it with the punk stuff we’ve always loved. And about six months ago, The RBC became even stronger when Jimmy McGerald (melodica/guitar) became the official forth member of team RBC!
Reviewsic: Tell us about the EP- is there a particular concept or direction behind it? What was the process of making the album like?
Mike: We wanted an authentic, yet versatile blend of reggae/dub/punk rock music that would most accurately capture what we’re about. We thought a five track EP would be a good taste-test for people to start out with…and we could build from there. The great thing about reggae/dub music is that you can have a polished studio CD of your original tunes, but live it can be a completely different experience, whereas in rock music, a lot of bands usually have to replicate their albums live. RBC’s live dub show is so unique and in your face that a studio CD might not do one justice for the true RBC experience. The purpose of our first EP was to simply convey our versatility enough to intrigue the listener to come out to a show… whether it was the reggae, dub, or punk. But once the dub is in their face, they are hooked! We are now in the process of recording a full length.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians at this point as opposed to when you first began playing together?
Andrew: It’s night and day, really. It’s not that I’ve personally progressed on my guitar so much, it’s more that we’ve connected as a group and are really good at knowing each other. Plus, part of our instrumentation is our live effects and we’ve all got a million times better at knowing how and when to use them.
What are some of your favorite cities to play?
Reviewsic: Mike: Long Island is really a beautiful place in the summer. Nothing beats playing reggae music on the beach by the water - the Hamptons, Fire Island, south shore or north shore - we are really blessed.
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Mike: The best moment would be our upcoming performance at Bonnaroo 2010! Thankfully, I can honestly say we haven’t really had many “worst band moments,” other than a few health issues that sidelined us at times. It seems like our positive mental attitude doesn’t allow for bad moments.
Reviewsic: Individually, how did you get your starts in music?
Mike: To be honest, you’d never guess how I started playing the drums. My father, ironically, played drums growing up when he was my age, but believe it or not, that wasn’t what got me started. My younger sister originally wanted to start an all-girl band with her friends, so they all pitched in and bought practice equipment. That was very short lived…when I eventually took it upon myself to take up the drums! It was the most intriguing instrument to me. And once I saw the kit, I had to play! Ever since then, I taught myself by listening to a lot of my favorite CDs and practicing along to them on my boom box. I then took lessons, and I’ve never put the sticks down since….
Reviewsic: What are three words you’d use to describe your music to someone who’s never heard it?
Andrew: Filthy, overpowering, dub…if we can add a forth word to that line, I’d make sure to include “pleasure.”
Reviewsic: If The Roast Beef Curtains were comic book characters, what would your superpowers be, who would be your arch nemesis, and what would happen in the first issue?
Andrew: Excellent question for the nerd in me. I envision us as the Green Lantern Corps, using the strength of our will power in the form of music (rather than the rings). I guess our enemies are the 5,000 Long Island Billy Joel cover bands that have plagued our existence since the beginning of time. First issue, we start our assault….
Reviewsic: If What are your plans for your music in the next year?
Mike: To keep on playing, recording and wanting more out of the experience. The best thing we got going for us is our love for the music, and if you make that top priority, everything else will follow. Within the year, the band plans to hit the road and tour! Keep a lookout for The RBC to hit a town near you!
Because we can’t all be at the sold out Vampire Weekend show over at The Riv, we wanted to tell you about a few free shows that will be happening over at Lincoln Hall and the Metro this weekend, along with some low cost locals and out of town acts worth checking out. Take advantage of the city and head out to support your local music scene.
UR Chicago Online, Untitled & We Are The Weekend Welcome…
Diesel Presents… ONE NIGHT STAND’S BE STUPID VHS or Beta Deejays Bald E. Team Bayside High BBU Perfect Kiss Midnight Conspiracy Action/Adventure
Videos by Hey! Cliche Video Club
Photos by Glitter Guts
Hosted by Boy Kings
Metro
Show at 10pm 18+ $6 before 11pm $8 after 11pm FREE entry all night with Diesel “Be Stupid” T-shirt.
Pick up the FREE T-shirt at the Diesel Store on Rush St. (while supplies last).
Sunday, March 28th
Andrew Belle
Allen Stone
Milano
Schuba’s
Show at 7pm All Ages $10
The Show ‘n Tell Show:
Anders Nilsen
Shawn of Shawnimals
Chad Kouri
Susie Kirkwood
Jilly Summers
The Curious Cardigans meet Diana Sudyka
Hosted by Mike Renaud & Zach Dodson plus Spokes Mom (Seth Dodson)
Lincoln Hall 8pm 21+ FREE
Chicago darlings Canasta recently debuted the music video for “Mexico City,” their latest single from The Fakeout, the Tease and the Breather. Conceived and directed by the brilliant Eduardo Cintron, “Mexico City” combines sharp, modern camera work with good old fashioned lyrical storytelling. Check it out below and if you find yourself falling in love, download the song [...]
Record releases, reunion shows, poetry slams and school of rock benefit shows make up this weekend’s list for some of our favorite venues. Pick your poison, head out to support the local scene and check back with us Monday for your weekday shows list.
Release shows, local favorites, touring acts and lots of jams this week in Chicago. Scope out the list and check back with us Friday for your weekend shows.
Free shows, much loved locals and badass school of rock chicks make up our weekend line up- get out there and enjoy your music metropolis, Chicagoans! Check back with us Monday for you weekday list.
2pm CT The Mongoloids New Jersey straight edge band The Mongoloids go live from Sound and Fury to answer your questions! 4pm CT Smoking Popes Chat with Chicago pop-punk band Smoking Popes while they take a break out of their summer tour with Alkaline Trio to go live via webcam from Los Angeles! 8:30pm CT Brother Bear Live chat [...]
years ago, they’ve already gained great backing from fans all over, as well as the praise of many a music media outlet. Named one of the Top 8 Unsigned Bands by Alternative Press Magazine, as well as being voted Hometown Heroes in the same publication, Hail Archer was also been predicted to be “Big in 2009” by Crescendo Magazine, a speculation most likely based on the bands victory in the Emerging Artists Series at Summerfest of 2008. Playing such festivals as Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos in addition to the slew of shows they’ve played out in the past two years, its obvious that this band is doing something right.
