If you haven’t heard the loud static-y synths and delayed screams in and around Lawrence lately, you probably are already deaf, or in a trance. All that noise is due to the fact that local sound freaks, Spirals Over Norway(SON), have been rocking at least weekly and writing music like a rabid dog bites neighbors. Already with 5 practices and a few Noise Lab sessions, they have 3 songs with a couple on the drawling board. “We wanted to create something that sounded like Kansas was on fire and screaming.”, explains SON’s drum doctor, Dr. Gamage.
I had the privilege of sitting in on a few of their sessions, and can agree that it sounded pretty close to Dr. Gamage’s description. But that’s not what grabbed my attention. It was the fact that they were practicing with twenty or so different species of reptiles and amphibians on the loose in their giant practice space/terrarium. “It gives us inspiration and drives us to be better every time we work on a song.” Explains the bands only female member, Machinegun Night Queen.
Though their videos rise to anger some film majors, and their music is far from perfect, they are still more than happy to showcase the process of forming a band and none of the naysayers really bother them. From the writing process to the recording aspects, and the bonding friendship that is growing as a result, its all there and out in the open for you to watch.
But some listeners have complained that the music is just a little sloppy and eccentric. Perhaps it would be better for them to get the songs down perfect and recorded at a higher quality before posting them to the web. Bassist Griffnasty comments, “We know its not the average sound that a lot of people are looking for, but we are really trying to come up with something a little fresh, and really loud…think T-rex humming the 1812 Overture.”. Dr. Gamage adds, “We don’t really care what people think about the music, for us, its not about that…we know we suck, but the lizards really like it!”
All in all, I think this band is really trying to find themselves, and in the long run it will be interesting to look back at these rough puberty stricken days, and see how they progressed and formed their sound. For now check out their latest Webisode, The Duct Tape Sessions, and leave them some feedback! Send them questions, or trash talk them, or film your self in weird positions around your house while listening to their music and post it as a video response to their webisodes on youtube.com! Also stay tuned for more “smaller” video updates of the band, and actual blog posts from the band….Done rambling, here’s the webisode!
Click “Continue Reading…” for an exclusive audio clip from their fifth practice session…its a goofy one
Download I’m A GM (GOD and Master) – A goofy byproduct of a sound check before practice…all in fun…never serious!
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