Sian Alice Group & A Place To Bury Strangers
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On Monday night, the 15th of September of now this autumnal year of 2008, I caught the opening show of The Sian Alice Group and A Place To Bury Strangers tour, that runs through the end of October (and nearly 30 shows).
I had already seen The Sian Alice Group perform earlier in the year, when they played a show at the Gary Snyder Project Space and Art Gallery back in late March of this year. I was most impressed with them then, and this show was equally as good.
Band visionary Rupert Clervaux playing keyboard
while Sasha Vine played the electric violin
The band was begun by Rupert Clervaux, Sian Ahern and primary guitarist Ben Crook. Ben plays seated throughout the shows, much like Robert Fripp has been known to do.
Along with taking a spot in the band as an additional guitarist, Mike Bones (pictured above here with lead vocalist Sian) is also a solo artist in his own right.
Multi-instrumentalist Sasha Vine a steady competent presence, on keyboards, violin and background vocals.
Filling out the band capably is bassist Eben Bull.
Rupert, Sasha and bassist Eben
Mike keeps his "cool guy" shades close by
while Sian explores the many nuances of triangle playing
Though his keyboard playing is quite competent, Rupert really shows his sophisticated musical touch from behind the drum kit. Much of The Sian Alice Group's power comes from Rupert's tribal patterns on the kit.
Sian has the most lovely, ethereal voice. Overall the band is contrast in delicate, spacious meditations - and harsh, stomping tribal rhythms, that build to sonic crescendos. For instance, on the song "Way Down To Heaven" a repeating downward drum pattern sets the tone for guitarist Ben Crook to create ferocious sonic textures over top. All the while Sian claps in a trance-like state in time with the percussion.
The band is visually attractive, which only complements their unique sonic textures.
Listen to this clip, which features their "light" meditative side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E69sX89gMFQ
Sian is a sharp contrast in black and white.
On their song "Motionless" we find a piece that is based around a trance-like drum pattern played by Rupert, that can bring to mind those of Indian ragas. It has a decided "jungle drum" feel as well. When I saw them perform this the first time 6 months ago , Eben put down his bass guitar and instead struck a small box instrument with thin mallets. This time, however, he kept his bass on and provided textures of the 4 string variety instead. Now they've added a floor tom-tom for Sian to pound out the percussive rhythm as Rupert plays a bell-like percussion instrument that he has imbedded within his drumkit. This is just a brief interlude as he quickly switches back to his full trap kit and this time with a full on cymbals thrashing. Sasha still shook a tambourine from her seated position at the keyboard. Sian took to the early part of the song by singing in a clear and controlled manner. However, in this live setting, the song took on more of an all out rave-up quality. Sian furiously shakes her head (and hair) back and forth as she violently shakes the percussion bells-on-a-stick instrument. Ben infuses shredding-guitar texture in these later stages. It really is an impressive display of jammed-out passion. See a clip of this on display, here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dE8mj7_MfQ
Sian lets the hair fly as she jingles here percussion bells.
Later on in the evening (after all the performances were over) I caught up with Sian for a lovely catch-up chat in the downstairs lounge area of the venue. Many friends came by to talk and wish her well also. Rupert and Eben were around and I was able to have a few lively discussions.
As for the night's headliners, this was my first A Place To Bury Strangers show.
I was supposed to see them previously - when they supported The Jesus & Mary Chain in New York back on the 22nd of May, 2007. However, there were some mix ups with the passes and we didn't get in to the show until after they played. So, I had always regretted that, and here was an opportunity to finally see what all the buzz was about.
The band is a stripped down "power trio" structure of guitar, bass and drums.
Drummer J Space
However, the overall sound that comes of these guys is closer to what you might hear from an army of musicians.
Lead guitarist and vocalist Oliver Ackerman is an unsmiling, intense individual who thoroughly abuses his instrument. I was told by more knowlegable fans in the audience that all his effects pedals are homemade. That he is something of an eletronics innovator when it comes to this sort of thing. Doing some quick research I see this to be true. He has designed and built the effects that the band uses to create their sound, and they can actually be purchase at his own company:
http://www.deathbyaudio.net/
The sound emanating from his and bassist Jono MOFO devices were like no other I've ever heard.
The music is stomping and brutal. It's psychedelic and ominous at the same time. On their records, you can't miss the JAMC influence, however on this night I hear echo's of Joy Division in the vocal stylings. At times they sound like The Cure (the really dark songs) and alternately I hear bits of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Curve, Spaceman 3, Bauhaus (minus all the "goth" stylings) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Alan Vega's Suicide. The band makes most effective use of flashing strobe lights and an video screen behind the drummer that displays a constant flow of fantasy images that are at times disturbing and at others science fiction like.
And then one of the broken strings was sawed across the pickup area, creating a hellish cacophony that, surprisingly, did not sound out of place and fit the assault on the senses perfectly.
Knobs were twisted on effects pedals in a manner that only the artist could comprehend. All we could do was listen (and it was a glorious noise).
Comments (14)
Thanks, buddy, you've added yet another name to the list*
*bands/artists I Gotta hear more of.
I would have loved to seen Sian Alice Group. A Place to Bury Strangers would have made me crazy! lol....
Once again, I have thoroughly enjoyed your descriptions of both bands! Thanks for your insights!
...wow... very musical cacophony if you ask me...
deadman - glad I could turn you on to new music. You do it for me all the time.
Kori - you would love Sian Alice Group. APTBS? We gotta get you more into "cacophony" - eh, vannatta? ;-)
wow sounds like a groovy time was had
(looks it too)
thanks man another wonderful post
mostly lately i lurk n read
every now and again
i ACTUALLY comment
RAWK
Well - then I'm quite honored, Mr. "rawk n roll pimp" ;-)
as well you should be ;p
wow. you really captured the moment with those pix. havent been to music hall of williamsburg yet. yikes!
Mr. R&RPimp - I bow to your greatness ;-)
CR - you mean you never were a waitress there!?!
Ackerman gets down and dirty with his equipment. Great photos and videos, DC. I was surprised to see/hear Sian Alice Group exploding on-stage. Sounds great!
lol
britt - yeah, that boy certainly knows how to coax sonic textures out of his own brand of squalk box.
CR - get me red bull on ice, will ya? ;-)
Very nice. I actually enjoyed the clips of both bands you had up. Your description of A Place To Bury Strangers and the pics remind me of another band that brought a new wave of sounds to the music scene back in the 90's... Nirvana. Perhaps they will be the new catalyst that brings this whole crappy rock radio creed sounding bands to a screeching halt. Throw a wrench into the gears so to speak! I do have one problem... they have this "Total Sonic Annihilation" on their myspace page... someone needs to send them a memo or something that I've already taken that seat...
Yours truly, with flame thrower in hand.
~ Doomsayer2001
http://www.stereofame.com/siltwater#/
Ha, ha.
Doomsy - you totally rule!
;-)