It was an interesting week in musical contrasts.
On the invitation of Fuel TV’s Daryl Berg, I stopped by Swing House in Hollywood on Monday to see the Bravery. The New York five-piece was at the recording studio-cum-rehearsal space to shoot a live segment for Fuel TV’s “Check 1, 2.” (If you’re wondering what the connection is between the band and the action sports network, apparently two of the dudes like to surf.)
While I was there, the quintet ran through three of their songs three times each for Swing House’s microphones and Fuel TV’s cameras, and I would be lying if I didn’t report that the performances were faultless–just like the recordings complete with spot-on vocals. Listening to the songs (”An Honest Mistake,” “Believe” and “Time Won’t Let Me Go”), I couldn’t help but remark to Berg how incredulous I was that these guys aren’t already superstars.
Seriously, the Bravery has a winning formula. It’s not theirs, of course, it’s Duran Duran’s: five really good-looking guys with flawless haircuts and sharp outfits to match, playing insanely catchy New Wave-y tunes–hi-hat-heavy drums, octave-friendly bass, breathy keyboards, distorted rhythm guitars and crystalline leads, plus sour-sweet, whiny vocals–that sound both supremely commercial yet genuinely edgy.
The band’s only modest success so far might have something to do with the fact that none of the band members–with the possible exception of the overly excited drummer–exhibited the slightest trace of personality at the shoot. I mean, it was dead silent between takes: No evidence of any camaraderie between the members; no jokes or horseplay; no comments, positive or negative, on the performances; no interaction with the crew, record company people or gawkers–just silence. They might have been wax works, but for the movement.
From the Bravery–an up-and-coming band with great chops (but no discernible personality) making a musical appearance–I go to Peter Tork, a rock ‘n’ roll dinosaur with questionable vocal tendencies (but tons of charisma) making a non-musical appearance.
The former Monkee was hosting a special edition of the Beauty Bar’s “oldies ‘n’ goodies” Wednesday night event, Goodie Tu Shoes. By hosting, I mean he was autographing copies of “Cambria Hotel,” a new offering from his rootsy, bluesy new rock ‘n’ roll band, Shoe Suede Blues.
Tork acted just the way any fan of the Monkees’ ridiculous TV show (or thoroughly excellent film, “Head”) would have expected: He was friendly, animated and totally goofy. I can’t vouch for Shoe Suede Blues being anything more than a respectable honky tonk-style bar band, but after being an extraordinarily well-known (if not necessarily respected) superstar, he deserves a lot of credit for starting over with a new band and doing the little extracurriculars newcomers must to get the word out.
I guess the answer to the question Tork posed here is “yes.” -Liam Gowing
[Photo 1: The Bravery at Swing House. Credit: Patrick Weir and Fuel TV. Photo 2: Peter Tork, right, and pal at Beauty Bar-L.A. Credit: Mary Jo Head.]
Scott Harding, a Canadian-born, New York-based musician and producer who’s worked with artists including the Wu Tang Clan, Salif Keita, Prince Paul, and Medeski, Martin and Wood, was recently involved in a life-shattering accident. Leaving his Brooklyn recording studio in a cab during the wee hours of February 9, he was hit and run by a driver who remains unapprehended. Harding’s back was broken in the accident, and his spine was damaged. He’s in the hospital, waiting to have major surgery, and right now he’s being classified as a paraplegic.
