They're loud, thoughtful, fun and THEY ARE PLAYING TONIGHT AT BORDELLO. You should probably go.
Allright, here’s the thing… I never ever bought into the prototypical punk rock conceit that being able to play your instrument was a detriment to good rockNroll. But obviously a gazillion folks did and so now we’ve suffered through, like, 30 years of bands that frankly… suck. I’m not saying there aren’t some inspired and inspiring primitives out there because that’s not true. But I am saying that a lot of people who should be in the woodshed learning how to fucking sing and play are instead up in my face expecting me to tell ‘em how awesome they are. Guess what: that won’t happen. Go practice jerkoffs!
Which brings us to ViSE ViRSA: because their disc rocks like a monster while delivering a set of well composed melodic songs played with brutal finesse. Because it’s nearly pop music filled as it is with strong singing, tight harmony vocals and actual musical arranging. But it’s not because it kicks butt like a rocker. John and Kris play technically complex single string unison lines. Layered guitar harmonies jump out in some tracks while others lean heavily on slashing chords. Vern’s drumming keeps pace with shifting textures. The melodies often resemble stuff you’ll probably recognize… Shades of Beatles, Cheap Trick (John Hartman’s voice and harmonic constructions may bring these bands to mind), Green Day and Nirvana (some melodies leap around in intervals of fourths or land on major thirds just as chords shift… and there’s a bit of the old quiet/loud/quiet/loud juxtaposition… all old Cobain devices)… except to my recollection none of those guys had quite the same tight confrontational force married to flawless technique and tone that ViSE ViRSA demonstrate on their cd RINSE AND REPEAT.
OK: was all that a bit over-technical over-analysed and guitar-nerdy for ya?
FINE! They write good songs, sing ‘em good, and play real good. They’re loud, thoughtful, fun and THEY ARE PLAYING TONIGHT AT BORDELLO. You should probably go.
It’s the second installment of The Sundowners and Friends
monthly event over at Bordello, and now the admission to these nights is FREE! I have spoken many times of my affection for THE SUNDOWNERS (here, for example) and tonight they are also joined by the transfixing trance-inducing newly enhanced with extra guitar-punch big folky power rock of HolloH. Hell, I’m gettin’ chills just thinkin’ about how much cool music is gonna be filling the big beautiful bodacious Bordello tonight.
with Dream Apes
TONIGHT 9/21
The Bordello
901 E. 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA
90012
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Well, just saw the show featured in your article above, and you’re right, ViSE ViRSA is amazing. John’s got one of the best rock voices in town these days, and the playing was, as always, amazingly great!
Great show!