There should be no question as to: If Paige Wins, more so waiting the day When Paige Will Win. This trio comes to us straight from Buffalo. If Paige Wins consists of: Lauren Clifford on vocals, lead/rhythm guitar, composer/lyricist, Shelly O'Neil on bass and Danny Gugino on percussion.
I first met If Paige Wins while doing a showcase at Club W for brutaliTEE where they were a featured band sponsored by Brutally Honest Management. Think Twice Radio wished to cover this event and get the Buffalo music scene and independent business out there and that is where this gem was hiding. I heard them on my space prior to this and as soon as the page loaded, I was enthralled. I was hearing something completely foreign. The type of music they play is not specific to any one genre. Usually astute at comparing what I hear to something that preceded, I was unable to do this with If Paige Wins.
They truly have a sound only they can claim as their own.
After the show at Club W, we went outside for an interview. They played the last set and I stayed because I had been dying to see them live and meet them. Lauren and Shelly immediately had a CD ready for me. The sleeve that comes with the CD is scribed with lyrics accompanied by photography taken in Buffalo. Danny filled me in on the history of the name of the band and how they had all met. It is highly impressive that their sound is derived from merely three people.
Their first full length CD, "Watered Down Confessions", was released in 2007. This is a MUST have for all collections. Lauren's soaring vocals are that of a modern day Janis Joplin coupled with the softness that is Joni Mitchell. Shelly plays the bass like "Geezer" Butler with a demonic buzz and to watch her hold that bass is entrancing. Danny's drumming style is powerful as that of John Bonham. Set behind both women, he sets the stage for one astounding performance. As soon as I heard them live, this concreted my initial intuition that they were most definitely going to make it.
Listening to the third track, "Still", brings me to Springtime in Buffalo driving with the windows rolled down, that free spirited good ole rock and roll interspersed with a tinge of folk. Shelly's bass growls here as Lauren serenades one who is horribly missed with Danny keeping time throughout.
"I'm not okay", stands out from the rest on this compilation for here you catch a sort of Cranberries meets Alanis. Lauren begins soft then builds meeting the bass and drums that rise to a crescendo with stunning guitar licks in between.
I happen to adore the acoustic guitar and in, "I didn't know", you get just that. This is a song intertwined with erotica and love churning this into pure bitter sweetness. The twin harmonies between Shelly and Lauren are angelic and the acoustic strumming is directly tuned with Danny's percussion.
If Paige Wins can be defined simply as: Perfection. Having formed in 2005, this CD shows their strength as a trio and best friends. The heights they reach musically in this FIRST CD cause me to wonder what else could possibly be created in order to outshine this?
Upon meeting them, you feel as if you are sitting down with your best friends. You cannot just buy the CD without seeing them live. The two go hand in hand. The emotionally charged lyrics streamed with passionate undertones of vocals, deep bass and percussion leaves one wanting more and questioning why they are, as of yet, unsigned.
Watered Down Confessions, can be listened to and obtained by visiting: http://www.myspace.com/IfPaigeWins. You can listen to pod casts and interviews there which will allow you to meet each of them exactly as they are. Find out how they met, as well as the origin of the name of the band. In my eyes, the only place the three of them are headed is directly to the top.
Considerable shows are constantly played throughout Buffalo and I suggest grabbing this trio up quick before they land elsewhere. Get out, see them live and buy the CD because their rise is forthcoming. They are eager, excited and down to Earth. They are armed and ready to tear this world apart with a sound that IS singular and can only be described as: If Paige Wins.
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Gravity Thieves ~ A.Y.R.T.O.S.
Imagine the idea of a place that is free from gravity. Not necessarily opposing force, more so, the force of gravity to be made either non present or inapplicable. This would have to occur with the creation of an immense technological intervention.
I met The Gravity Thieves at Maggie's Lounge on Military Road in Kenmore the summer of 2007. I was attending a birthday celebration for their manager, Christine Wallace. The five of us had previously set up an in studio interview at Think Twice Radio and I had planned on meeting the guys and Christine and grabbing a CD beforehand. What I did not intend is to meet four of the most unique and sincere individuals that evening.
The Gravity Thieves combined are: J. Ryan K ~ Lead guitar/vocals/lyricist, Scott J. Harrington ~ percussion/ backing vocals and Adam Gassman ~ synth and bass. The Gravity Thieves have been going strong since 1998, yet these three men are responsible for what I refer to as a sit down with Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin and Rush. The three of them formed the present day Thieves in the summer of 2004 and four years later here they are.
That night driving home from Maggie's, one of the two CD'S so graciously mastered by J. Ryan K. and handed to me by Christine, was heard for miles out of the windows of my truck from Kenmore to South Buffalo. I left the CD in my player until I came to write this review nearly six months later. Their music is that addictive.
The first tune I literally fell in love with was "Stay". As soon as you hear this 2nd track on their newly released CD entitled, "A.Y.R.T.O.S.", you will find yourself driving along belting out with Ryan:
"Hey, you blamed them already, what's your ex-cuse for to-dayyyyyy."
This song carries perfect rhythm throughout, all three of them prominent. Scotty's cymbals crashing as waves along with Adam's frenzied synth . . . "You blamed them already yeahhhhh."
J. Ryan K's vocals are intense with Scotty's high hat ticka ticka ticka throughout and a guitar solo that will set you on your knees. To me, the lyrics signify a change, as in you blamed everything else in your world now who is to blame but yourself?
The title track, "A.Y.R.T.O.S.", to which you must converse with the Thieves themselves to find out the answer to that acronym, is an instant hit. The synth is diabolical. Listen close, it may be hard to catch in between that malicious guitar and hammering of drumskins and sticks. J. Ryan K has a deep threaded growl when he bellows: "Turn your stereo . . . down, turn your media . . . down."
This is a plea for everyone to not only become aware but to act upon the atrocities occurring in society, government, media and everyday life. Truly a classic, one to get you hopping in front of that stage.
The fourth track, "Backwoods", is such a sentimental tune. It instantly brings me back to building tree houses and tents out of old sheets and being a child full of wonder. The chorus is alluring: "Have you ever wanted to be free."
Scotty even has a soft technique to his drumming style here and this is a comforting tune, one that makes you think of how guileless we used to be compared to what we have experienced as adults, yet never forgetting the good things. This lullaby is absolute beauty.
The first track on this compilation, I save for last, only because it MUST be last. "The General", is an epic tale of a man on a journey. I liken this to poetry or prose because it tells a story line for line without giving away the ending. Scotty's cowbell is bold throughout with Adam's synth that is as commanding and forthright as a military unit.
J. Ryan K. expels everything residing within shouting: "Freeeee-dooommmmm."
This is an anthem. A ballad that causes you to look deep within yourself and rediscover those parts of you that you lost or never quite knew. The man in this story is faced with most difficult choices. I shall leave those pages for you to turn.
After weeks of listening to the CD, I was hooked. This is the kind of music you can pop in while at the park, driving, at a party, anyplace. The back beat rhythms are constant and upbeat yet the lyrics are concentrated. The Gravity Thieves manage to create music that can be listened to by anyone, at any time while getting their ideals across lyrically.
You must see them out playing. Their stage presence is full toned. They are best friends and you feel that when they perform. If you have not gotten out to see the Gravity Thieves, check their my space at: http://myspace.com/thegravitythieves and peek at the calendar, interviews and listen to music. Give them a shout and snag this CD because I am patiently awaiting more from all three of them. You can also visit their newly designed web site at: http://www.gravitythieves.com/ where you can view their EPK, photos, their shows and bios of each of them.
Out of all the interviews I have done, I must say, The Gravity Thieves are by far one of my favorites. It is an ongoing interview that never ends and I am glad for that. My wish for them is to keep climbing because they found what it takes years ago and today they have reached a pinnacle. I cannot wait to see them jump to the other side.
Imagine the idea of a place that is free from gravity.
I have no desire to imagine anymore.
I have been there and I plan on going back.
Repeatedly.
I met The Gravity Thieves at Maggie's Lounge on Military Road in Kenmore the summer of 2007. I was attending a birthday celebration for their manager, Christine Wallace. The five of us had previously set up an in studio interview at Think Twice Radio and I had planned on meeting the guys and Christine and grabbing a CD beforehand. What I did not intend is to meet four of the most unique and sincere individuals that evening.
The Gravity Thieves combined are: J. Ryan K ~ Lead guitar/vocals/lyricist, Scott J. Harrington ~ percussion/ backing vocals and Adam Gassman ~ synth and bass. The Gravity Thieves have been going strong since 1998, yet these three men are responsible for what I refer to as a sit down with Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin and Rush. The three of them formed the present day Thieves in the summer of 2004 and four years later here they are.
That night driving home from Maggie's, one of the two CD'S so graciously mastered by J. Ryan K. and handed to me by Christine, was heard for miles out of the windows of my truck from Kenmore to South Buffalo. I left the CD in my player until I came to write this review nearly six months later. Their music is that addictive.
The first tune I literally fell in love with was "Stay". As soon as you hear this 2nd track on their newly released CD entitled, "A.Y.R.T.O.S.", you will find yourself driving along belting out with Ryan:
"Hey, you blamed them already, what's your ex-cuse for to-dayyyyyy."
This song carries perfect rhythm throughout, all three of them prominent. Scotty's cymbals crashing as waves along with Adam's frenzied synth . . . "You blamed them already yeahhhhh."
J. Ryan K's vocals are intense with Scotty's high hat ticka ticka ticka throughout and a guitar solo that will set you on your knees. To me, the lyrics signify a change, as in you blamed everything else in your world now who is to blame but yourself?
The title track, "A.Y.R.T.O.S.", to which you must converse with the Thieves themselves to find out the answer to that acronym, is an instant hit. The synth is diabolical. Listen close, it may be hard to catch in between that malicious guitar and hammering of drumskins and sticks. J. Ryan K has a deep threaded growl when he bellows: "Turn your stereo . . . down, turn your media . . . down."
This is a plea for everyone to not only become aware but to act upon the atrocities occurring in society, government, media and everyday life. Truly a classic, one to get you hopping in front of that stage.
The fourth track, "Backwoods", is such a sentimental tune. It instantly brings me back to building tree houses and tents out of old sheets and being a child full of wonder. The chorus is alluring: "Have you ever wanted to be free."
Scotty even has a soft technique to his drumming style here and this is a comforting tune, one that makes you think of how guileless we used to be compared to what we have experienced as adults, yet never forgetting the good things. This lullaby is absolute beauty.
The first track on this compilation, I save for last, only because it MUST be last. "The General", is an epic tale of a man on a journey. I liken this to poetry or prose because it tells a story line for line without giving away the ending. Scotty's cowbell is bold throughout with Adam's synth that is as commanding and forthright as a military unit.
J. Ryan K. expels everything residing within shouting: "Freeeee-dooommmmm."
This is an anthem. A ballad that causes you to look deep within yourself and rediscover those parts of you that you lost or never quite knew. The man in this story is faced with most difficult choices. I shall leave those pages for you to turn.
After weeks of listening to the CD, I was hooked. This is the kind of music you can pop in while at the park, driving, at a party, anyplace. The back beat rhythms are constant and upbeat yet the lyrics are concentrated. The Gravity Thieves manage to create music that can be listened to by anyone, at any time while getting their ideals across lyrically.
You must see them out playing. Their stage presence is full toned. They are best friends and you feel that when they perform. If you have not gotten out to see the Gravity Thieves, check their my space at: http://myspace.com/thegravitythieves and peek at the calendar, interviews and listen to music. Give them a shout and snag this CD because I am patiently awaiting more from all three of them. You can also visit their newly designed web site at: http://www.gravitythieves.com/ where you can view their EPK, photos, their shows and bios of each of them.
Out of all the interviews I have done, I must say, The Gravity Thieves are by far one of my favorites. It is an ongoing interview that never ends and I am glad for that. My wish for them is to keep climbing because they found what it takes years ago and today they have reached a pinnacle. I cannot wait to see them jump to the other side.
Imagine the idea of a place that is free from gravity.
I have no desire to imagine anymore.
I have been there and I plan on going back.
Repeatedly.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
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