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BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About LOTD
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Twisterbait: Twister One
Twisterbait! The
name conjures upwellIm not sure what it conjures up, which is why I was
all the more interested in finding what these boys from Britain were on to in
Twister One. When a band
touts itself as an alternative rock/funk/pop hybrid and claims its
influences include The Cure, Frank Zappa, and Pink Floyd, a few eyebrows are
sure to be raised. Funny when I
close my eyes and try to combine Frank Zappas Dancin Fool, for example,
with Pink Floyds Comfortably Numb, all I get is the musical equivalent
of a train wrecknobetter yet, make that a torn up trailer park.
Were talking twisters here, remember? Tracks like Comfort Zone and Convulsions narrow
the field, however. Echoed vocals,
drums and bass churning a dirge, distant guitar riffs, plus that ol familiar
lilted angst suggest only the Cures muse is moonlighting in Twisterbaits
studio, at least for a few numbers. The
first time I listened to the guitar riff introducing Rocket Slowing Down,
I swear I thought I was listening to Jack Johnsons current yuppie-alternative
radio hit, Flake. These tunes
kick off in virtually identical fashion. So
much, in fact, I gave them a comparative listen several times over just for the
sport of it. But this, to
Twisterbaits credit, is clearly a remarkable coincidence, and coincidences
aside, it makes for a good hook. You can tell a warmed up crowd in a smoky Soho venue would
take kindly to Get on Our Bus. Here
Twisterbait trades the ethereal echo effects for wah-wah guitar funk, a fat
cowbell, and a heavy disco tempo. Pink
Floyd here? Id say more like
George Clinton. Guardian Angel shows notable guitar work, and its
energy is another small clue that a live show crowd would get amped up a notch
or two when this one had its turn on the set list.
Frank Zappa here? Im
thinking The Clash, myself. Hybrid indeed, Twisterbait.
I dont remember the Cure ever using congas or thumping out any good
god yall style P-funk. The
musicianship is there, as are a couple of catchy cuts, and Im guessing its
a jolly good live show to boot if ones traveling across the pond.
How difficult it is, though, to drink from Twister One repeatedly
when Robert Smith et al. has already slaked your thirst.
This release can be purchased at the Twisterbait Official Website LEFT OFF THE DIAL's Twisterbait page About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
