I was shuffling by Hazelwood in Ballard the other day and ran into the always lovely Hannah Levin of KEXP, Seattle Weekly, last but not least one of the conspirators of Your Village Sucks! Fest. She was sipping on what looked to be a refreshing white zin with Michael Jaworski of Virgin Islands and The Cops, as well as the Sunset Tavern. They were amidst a debate-- trying to name current bands that could actually be classified as competently and respectfully playing pure rock and roll music today. Not metal, not punk, -- just drums, bass, and loud guitars rock, as it once was. Hannah summoned me into the conversation since I am the self-proclaimed “Seattle Rock Guy”, hoping I would have some input on the topic (though I will always stand by the fact that the name is more a statement on loving to rock, more than just loving rock as genre of music).
Needless to say I too was a little bit stumped. Bands today integrate so many different elements into their music – the lines have blurred so much that new genres are born from thin air-- many contrived by overzealous music critics I realize. As it stands, very few new bands can be classified as purely playing “Rock” music in recent times -- good bands anyway, and if I have to break down why a large majority of the crappy “Rock” music that gets played on mainstream radio is crap, then well… we have a failure to communicate. Has “Rock” become a genre of rehashed, uninspired, corporate schlock -- unfortunately for the most part…yes. Except for a few underground revivalists, who are helping to keep the genre alive and for the most part well.
Our short list included Michael’s own Virgin Islands of course, Jack White’s projects, and my entry, Night Marchers, who just so happened to have played in Seattle a couple times during Capitol Hill Block Party weekend. Closing down Neumos on Saturday night, then a warehouse show in front of 60 lucky people in south Seattle somewhere following (wish I wouldn’t have heard about that the day after).
The Night Marchers formed in 2008 and are the newest project from John Reis of Drive Like Jehu, Rocket From the Crypt, and Hot Snakes fame. The guy’s a legend in some circles as is his old partner in crime Rick Froberg from Obits. God damn what resumes these guys have. Even though John is from the school of noisy driving post-punk, in Night Marchers he seems to be moving closer towards a purer form of rock and roll music-- very few frills to speak of.
When I ventured into Neumos for their set, I had high hopes that they would rule and indeed they did. Actually, I hadn’t rocked out this damn hard since I can’t remember-- oh shit! -- Red Fang at the Sunset. Anyways, here was me, ping-ponging through the crowd, probably stepping on everyone’s feet in the process – jumping, clapping, dancing – having the best fucking time ever. Thank you Night Marchers, I needed that. It was a grand time, and yes my favorite performance of the entire block party weekend.
As for our little debate, it’s still ongoing, but I’m confident that Night Marchers are one of the few modern day bands around who are playing the closest and best damn thing to the definition of rock music available in the present tense. I can take comfort in the fact that rock is alive and well, despite its endangered species status -- as long as there are few kick ass bands out there to fill the void.
I’m stoked! I got video my favorite Night Marcher’s tune "I Wanna Deadbeat You", drums are blown but you get the idea. Enjoy!
Words, Photo, Video by Nik Christofferson
I totally agree, and what I like about Night Marchers is that they take all of the influence and sounds from punk and post-punk, indie, whatever... and take the best parts of that and apply it to rock and roll. It isn't forced, it totally works, and it hits exactly right.
ReplyDeleteIt's essentially what I try to do also.