From: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org (seven-seas-moderated-digest) To: seven-seas-moderated-digest@smoe.org Subject: seven-seas-moderated-digest V2 #75 Reply-To: seven-seas@smoe.org Sender: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org Precedence: bulk seven-seas-moderated-digest Sunday, March 23 2003 Volume 02 : Number 075 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 22:02:39 -0600 (CST) From: amyr@jump.net (Amy Moseley Rupp) Subject: seven-seas-moderated OT: The Raveonettes This is the group that opened for Joe Strummer in the weeks before he died.... and those that saw them then suggested I see them here. Their drummer's playing reminded me of Joy Division, but nothing else about the band caught me as JD-esque: they had a sound all their own, and Sharin, the singer, was indeed elfin but could have eaten Bjork for breakfast: tall, literally slinging her guitar around, and clad in black leather from head to foot. ==== The Raveonettes Venue, Thursday, March 13 "We're the Raveonettes." And thus the most talked-about and well-attended showcase of the evening commenced, marked by brain-piercing feedback and guitar squeals that segued into a moody, Gothic rendition of Buddy Holly's "Everyday." You'd think that a minor-key rendition, complete with atonal vocal harmonies, of one of the happiest songs in musical history would come across as snide and ironic, but you'd be wrong. Great Danes Sharin Foo and Sune Rose Wagner succeeded in making the song their irascible own before launching into straightforward robo-rock that blossomed into full-on clang-banging pop-punk, the guitars crashing into each other willy-nilly and all dressed up with Foo's sultry, caramel-smooth vox. All the lines snap together as snugly as their home country's signature Legos and are as tasty as the nation's gooey-sweet pastry namesake. Wagner's angular lead guitar was at times reminiscent of an evil New Order, while the taut, insistent breakdowns suggested a less-earnest Jesus and Mary Chain, especially with the vocals mixed quite low, which allowed the instrumental textures to shine through. This is dark, unironic Eighties retro spiced up with a dash of Fifties rockabilly thrown in for good measure. Visually, Foo served as a wholly pleasing focal point, what with the dusky eyes, platinum-blond hair, and pouty, elfin affect. She was like a creature from Dark Crystal gone deliciously awry, holding men and women alike under her nonchalantly sexy spell, daring you to look away although she'd be damned if she cared. If lack of irony is a true act of rebellion, this duo and their immensely talented supporting players have got the sound and the look down to a T. It won't be long before we'll all be eating out of their hands, regardless of one's position in the industry food chain. ====================================== The Official Seven-Seas Web Page. www.bunnymenlist.com ====================================== ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 22:30:41 -0600 (CST) From: amyr@jump.net (Amy Moseley Rupp) Subject: seven-seas-moderated our lads get a comparison mention Some of the recommendations for last week's shows included: BRITISH SEA POWER: They're from Brighton, England, they cut dashing figures onstage in WWI military outfits, they describe themselves as "an art band that rocks," and Pulp's Jarvis Cocker thinks they're very, very good. Joy Division and Echo & the Bunnymen comparisons notwithstanding, BSP's soaring guitars and rhythm section make for a heady precursor to Our Upcoming War. (Blender Bar, midnight) Also recommended: SUPERGRASS: Guitarist/singer Gaz Coombes, bassist Mickey Quinn, and drummer Danny Goffey burst onto the British charts in the mid-Nineties with their take on the contagious power pop of the Kinks/Buzzcocks axiom. 2002's underrecognized Life on Other Planets delved into T. Rex glam with playful aplomb. (Stubb's, midnight) KEN! You live nearish Tyler, no? They were very good.... MOSSEISLEY: In the tradition of Hanson, Tyler quintet MossEisley -- DuFree sisters Chauntelle, Stacy, and Sherri, brother Weston, and family friend Jonathan Wilson -- will have a record deal before some members are old enough to drive. Their warm, modern-rock sound recently opened all the Texas dates for their heroes Coldplay. (Stubb's, 9pm) THE POLYPHONIC SPREE: Donning matching white robes, this 24-member Dallas-based symphonic pop ensemble plays slowly evolving pieces that warm listeners into a cocoon of universal love. It may sound trite, but many a cynic has come away converted. Word is V2 Records has the band in their sights. This cynic came away revulsed, but hey. ====================================== The Official Seven-Seas Web Page. www.bunnymenlist.com ====================================== ------------------------------ End of seven-seas-moderated-digest V2 #75 *****************************************