Silversun Pickups
This eclectic gathering is alternately classed as indie, pop and rock or, for lack of a better term, “other.” Judging from the rather unusual design of the songs by this group, the band members would probably like that last classification.
Nominated for a 2007 Woodie Award, Silversun Pickups consists of Brian Aubert – guitar/vocals; Nikki Monninger – bass; Joe Lester – sounds/keyboards; Christopher Guanlao – drums. This lineup offers such tasty items as “Lazy Eye” from Carnavas and “Three Seed” from the same collection. “Lazy Eye” has a straight-ahead beat with interesting guitar icing and unobtrusive keyboard presence. The song moves from frenetic to thoughtful and back again, showing that this quartet is a group of real musicians.
The bass-focus at the start of “Three Seed” (Carnavas) is right for the understated high-hat tap and vocals. Keyboard and sounds again add something that are difficult to describe without saying “interesting.” But that’s OK. There are some other selections to check out on Carnavas – “Checkered Floor” and “Dream At Tempo 119.” “Pikul (2005) was the first Silversun Pickups effort.
A fall 2007 tour began in California, close the group’s home base. But after a few shakedown shows in the Golden State and Canada, the tour moves quickly to Europe, with stops in Germany and Denmark. The band returns to complete their travels in the United States.
Tags: music, indie music, silversun pickups, indie, independent music
Look at these guys Myspace site, and they look awesome! Anyone know if their Euro tour will take in the UK? I’d really love to see them live. I could just about get to Germany, but here in the UK I could go with a whole bunch of friends.
Are they really so big that they are even touring in Europe, Germany, and Denmark? In my opinion, they really aren’t that good.
I love these guys. I really hear the Smashing Pumpkins influence, and Carnavas is way better than Doomsday Clock. The entire album is great, top to bottom. I saw these guys on MTV too about a week ago, which was really weird but good at spreading the word about their music.
I find that more and more nowadays, the more interesting a bands music is the better chance they have at staying where I will listen to them. The unusual sounds and interesting music as you put it has peaked my interest and makes me what to hear something from them right this very minute. I am curious to hear, why these bands are not doing many tour dates in the United States? How many dates might be done here? I think it is important to have an audience where you live.
Carnavas was a pretty good album, but a lot of the songs sound the same.
I think their first single off the album was the best (Though Melatonin is a close second).
I listened to it quite a bit when it was first released, but really, the replay value isn’t too high.
I had all but lost hope with new rock until I heard these guys – they really shine – I even heard a rumor that their latest album woke Billy Corgan out of his coffin – desperately believing his muse had been stolen away by them ! – the Silversun Pickups have really confirmed my long held belief that extraterrestrials are here on earth posing as rock stars – revealing the secrets of the universe to those of us who are evolved enough to listen – I say – PLAY ON !!!
Maybe some of those bands can’t afford to go on tour as much as we’d like them to. With oil prices near $100 a barrel and gas prices rising accordingly, it’s probably very difficult for many indie bands to put together a tour that would be within a non-major act’s budget.
As for a band’s sound being interesting and evolving, that’s pretty much a given. New and interesting ways of musical expression always pique my interest, and like many listeners of any musical genre, I get bored if a singer/band/composer/songwriter/lyricist gets stuck in a creative rut.
I agree with you Suikomu. I like the band, but they sound redundant a lot. They just didn’t have a long shelf life to me. I will play some of their songs every now and then when I am in the mood. I am not trying to say anything too negative about the band, since as I said, I do like them. But I am just hoping they can step their game a little and get a bit more creative in the future.