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 Pisces are a novelty, a cheap trick. In many ways, they shouldn’t exist; yet here they are, playing as if they were born to be here. Two of the band’s members, Alex Flux and Rick Vandervoot, used to be in a band with Eric Quillington. Then he quit, formed Infinite, and Flux and Vandervoot have been playing a game of catch-up ever since. It’d be wrong to call this a professional rivalry, though; Infinite’s two albums are regarded as near-masterpieces, and the band has the respect of most of the music world. Pisces, on the other hand, doesn’t have a label, and is stuck touring as support for obscure bands. People only know of them because of their almost embarrassing connection with Infinite, and very few actually give a rat’s ass about their music. So, yes, this band is the cliché underdog… but all that is on the verge of changing.
Pisces tonight is the support band to an obscure band; Ratt Salad. Even the name of the latter can’t compare to the former, and to say that Pisces stole the show is a bit of an understatement. Half the crowd left the moment the band walked offstage, proving once and for all that this band is developing an audience. After a half-hour show with six songs, it really isn’t hard to see why.
It’s difficult to determine who the actual front man of the band is; the band has a sense of democracy and mutual talent not seen since the days of the Beatles. Russell Tong can play a drum solo like no other, Kenny Namowitz’s driving bass playing is as much the heartbeat to the song as the drums are, Alex Flux’s soft style of playing guitar brings the beauty back to playing riffs, and Rick Vandervoot’s vocals range from deep chest voice to soaring falsetto. Even though the band has an obvious lead singer, he never attempts to steal the spotlight; Namowitz and Flux speak more to the audience than he does. When you think of bands like Quarantine, Reckoner, and Infinite… most likely the first people to come to mind are Regan Futrell, Troy Mascenon, and Eric Quillington. With Pisces, there is a sense of unity, a group mentality.
The music lives up to their infamy, as well. In many ways, the band has an incredibly diverse musical style; from the joyous and chiming guitar in October to the pitch-perfect vocal cover of New Order’s Blue Monday, there is an abundance of proof that this band is not just a one-trick pony. The band that Pisces is associated most often with (Infinite), often has overly dark and brooding music that you can’t do anything but stroke your beard to. Pisces’s style is more uplifting indie-rock, and much easier to listen to.
Two out of the six songs in the set list are covers, and therein lays this band’s problem; it’s almost afraid to break away from expectation. With a independent debut EP reportedly on the horizon, this band seems to be the makings of a legend. Only time will tell. (From top left to bottom right)
Alex Flux- Lead Guitar
Russel Tong- Drums
Rick Vandervoot- Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Kenny Namowitz- Bass, Keyboards, Backup Vocals Edited by user 23 August 2010 04:27:39(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified |
Kid Anything- Indie/Britpop/Shoegaze; influenced by Sigur Ros, XXYYXX, Kanye West, Blur, Oasis (Bringing together an eclectic group of influences, Ulysses' songs are sung with carefree abandon by Nick Junk) Kurt Ulysses - Songwriter, Guitarist, Backup Vocalist Nick Junk - Vocals, Mojo Infinite- Alternative/Experimental Rock; influenced by Muse, Radiohead, and The Beatles (Known best for their experimental music and their frontman's eccentric behavior, the band disbanded after Eric Quillington's death to pursue solo careers or, in Matt Robert's case, peace of mind. Infinite released four albums over the course of their career; Blue Nebula, Midnight Skies, Insomnia, and Dancing about Architecture.) Eric Quillington (Deceased) - Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Piano, Primary Lyricist Matt Roberts - Bass Greg Oldson - Drums, Backup Vocals, Secondary Lyricist Amelia Florentine - Keyboards, Piano, Lyricist, Backup Vocals "When asked 'how do you write?' I invariably answer, 'one word at a time', and this answer is invariably dismissed. But that's all it is. It sounds too simple to be true, but consider the Great Wall of China, if you will: one stone at a time, man. That's all. One stone at a time. But I've read you can see that motherfucker from space without a telescope." - Stephen King |
