A LOCAL BAND TO LOVE!
Let's get this straight right off the bat: I hate seeing local bands. I know, I am a total hypocrite: I am ALL about, for reals, supporting your scene, forming community, hooking your friends up, etc. But I have been going to punk rock and ska shows for, well, more decades than most of my friends have been alive, and, frankly, I am tired. Unless it is Morrissey and Ian Curtis, resurrected from the dead, doing a duet of 'Common People' by Pulp, I usually would rather talk music theory, or listen to my Who vinyl than suffer through a friends friend mediocre banging in a piss stank bar. Unless I am in the UK, then all bets are off, but that is another review...
Then I saw / heard the four delights that make up Bay Area (Walnut Creek, to be exact) group Mister Loveless. I literally stopped in my tracks, shut up, put down my drink and listened. And so will you.
Comprised of high school friends Rob, Charlie, Sean and Rachel (yes, a chick drummer, and man, she BRINGS IT!), Mister Loveless is THE anecdote for all us who 1. Are sick of pretentious Diesel Jean wearing, no substance bands, and 2. Miss the Pixies and Jesus and Mary Chain, and wish there was "something" new, 2.0 out there to "evolve" to.
I had the chance to sit with the band in their recording studio a couple of weeks ago, and such earnest, heart felt commentary as to where their musical inspiration came from I have not heard since early Smiths and Joy Division interviews.
With influences ranging from Joan Osborne, Oingo Boingo, Nirvana, the Cure and "the shit coming out of pick up trucks,” Mister Loveless aims to "make music for people who music is important to," says lead singer Rob (newly 21). When asked how their affluent east bay roots affected their musical upbringing, bass player Charlie comments, "Most of the kids we know will never have to worry about anything (financially)....we were looking for something bigger, more meaningful in life. Music gave us an identity, and now the songs we write together as a band give us something to call our own."
Guitar player Sean adds,” Growing up in the 'burbs, we did not have the identity of a big city to fall back on. We had to create our own sense of self."
Drummer Rachel, who began her training for rock stardom in 6th grade band class, was literally spotted by her band mates at a house party, and poached to join Mister Loveless. While the song writing, lyrics and general stage persona of the band harkens back to Dinosaur Jr. of the early 1990s, it is the lass behind the rhyme section who really sets this quartet on fire. Memories of early Go-Go's gigs with a heavy hand of Cyndi Lauper flare and a touch of Juliana Hatfield rag doll chick all emanate from behind the drum set. I have already suggested button sets, each highlighting one member of the group (there is not a dud in the bunch).
Having recently opened for Black Francis, the Misters are getting some Love. Next up: Kimo's in lovely San Francisco, on July 22nd, to support their new EP, TWO WORDS.
Well, my sweet Loveless ones, here is to hoping that some other kids find their own identity through your fab tunes
Find out more about Mister Loveless for yourself at misterloveless.com.
Then I saw / heard the four delights that make up Bay Area (Walnut Creek, to be exact) group Mister Loveless. I literally stopped in my tracks, shut up, put down my drink and listened. And so will you.
Comprised of high school friends Rob, Charlie, Sean and Rachel (yes, a chick drummer, and man, she BRINGS IT!), Mister Loveless is THE anecdote for all us who 1. Are sick of pretentious Diesel Jean wearing, no substance bands, and 2. Miss the Pixies and Jesus and Mary Chain, and wish there was "something" new, 2.0 out there to "evolve" to.
I had the chance to sit with the band in their recording studio a couple of weeks ago, and such earnest, heart felt commentary as to where their musical inspiration came from I have not heard since early Smiths and Joy Division interviews.
With influences ranging from Joan Osborne, Oingo Boingo, Nirvana, the Cure and "the shit coming out of pick up trucks,” Mister Loveless aims to "make music for people who music is important to," says lead singer Rob (newly 21). When asked how their affluent east bay roots affected their musical upbringing, bass player Charlie comments, "Most of the kids we know will never have to worry about anything (financially)....we were looking for something bigger, more meaningful in life. Music gave us an identity, and now the songs we write together as a band give us something to call our own."
Guitar player Sean adds,” Growing up in the 'burbs, we did not have the identity of a big city to fall back on. We had to create our own sense of self."
Drummer Rachel, who began her training for rock stardom in 6th grade band class, was literally spotted by her band mates at a house party, and poached to join Mister Loveless. While the song writing, lyrics and general stage persona of the band harkens back to Dinosaur Jr. of the early 1990s, it is the lass behind the rhyme section who really sets this quartet on fire. Memories of early Go-Go's gigs with a heavy hand of Cyndi Lauper flare and a touch of Juliana Hatfield rag doll chick all emanate from behind the drum set. I have already suggested button sets, each highlighting one member of the group (there is not a dud in the bunch).
Having recently opened for Black Francis, the Misters are getting some Love. Next up: Kimo's in lovely San Francisco, on July 22nd, to support their new EP, TWO WORDS.
Well, my sweet Loveless ones, here is to hoping that some other kids find their own identity through your fab tunes
Find out more about Mister Loveless for yourself at misterloveless.com.
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