The Genre Crisis

So we just got back from playing what appeared to be some sort of hardcore metal show with dudes hanging from hooks and other dudes screaming, and well just lots of dudes with some cute ladies here and there. It was weird being on the bill because while we respect what these other bands are trying to do, and many of them do it quite well, we are in no way a metal band.

And I think that's where our jumping off point is. What the hell are we? I think there are some clear influences in our sound, but what is that sound? We can call it something vague like Prog Rock or Hardrock, but those two styles often are akin to long hair and unnecessary vamping.

I think what was great about the show tonight is that one of the dudes with one of the other bands said something that was pretty honest. "It's pretty clear you dudes listen to different music." We've played a few shows, but that is the first time I've really heard anyone really nail it. There definitely are some crossing points on the vendiagram of the Kooozie, but each of our musical stylings is quite different...and probably what we put on our car stereo, too.

From my stand point, Chet Stedman is like Jon Bonam with a double bass. Instead of heavy blues influences with a heavy sound, Chet likes to pop the hip hop into what is otherwise a hard hitting drum styling. I wish I could say more about his style, but I can never remember his favorite drummers. All I know is that when Chet gets on the drums, it's like a tidal wave of thunder with a lot bounce.

Then, when I look over to my left, well-sometimes right, I have the ever proficient Screech. If you are reading this and you think a former hardcore drummer who loves to put a little hip hop bounce into his drumming is kind of different, here is a guy who grew up studying Jimmy Hendrix like he's gonna rise from the dead, then moves from Cali to Boston and joins a litany of punk bands, and cites the freakin' Pixies as one of his biggest influences. I love me some Pixies, but when you can command an axe like Screech and you'd prefer the clatter of a raunchier punk sound, it def makes for some interesting guitar lines. Flying from rhythm to solo like he's flying the millennium falcon, the sound is just so raw and open and natural. I think if he played anything but a Marshall amp it would be a crime. I know he loves him some Orange, but the clang twang of an Orange cannot handle the majesty of his lead lines, nor the pure bliss of the crystal-like structures he likes to present in songs like Acid Love Drip and A Minor Love Screech.

And then there is me. I don't really know what to say about me. It's kind of weird to give a perspective on yourself as you know everything you'd like to present to the world, but only the world knows how you are perceived. I love QOTSA. Everyone in the band loves QOTSA. I don't think we sound a fucking thing like QOTSA, but we love them. I draw a lot of my vocal influences from guys like Moressey, Paul Banks, Justin Winfield, Sebastien Grainger and of course, Josh Mothafuckin Homme. My favorite bass lines are ones that are just enough. I.e., you remember how it feels. I love bands like fu manchu, truck fighters, sublime, eagles of death metal, doa1979, Interpol. But even besides that, I think it's my love of electronic music that really can be heard in my basslines. like, who the fuck doesn't remember the bassline from Bennassi's satisfaction? Or Jay and Jane. That shit is big and thick, and sticks in your chest like a sucker punch.

Well, sorry to abruptly end, but I'm tired. Thank you to all the peeps who saw us tonight. It was a pleasure hanging out and being apart of the show.-Fritz