This is what RAWK should look like...photo by Mike Manson
I hate writing live reviews because my overwhelming sense is that I come off sounding like some self-appointed, taste-making blowhard. The band did this and played that and you should have been there, or, it was a a complete waste of electricity, time, pot, alcohol, and pills. They were transcendent or suffered from buzzy expectations that were impossibly inflated by jerk-offs like me, who prattle on endlessly about each new band as if they were the answer to prayers that never need to be heard by any deity worth his impossibly inflated status in the human imagination. Just words pixelated on a web page to be agreed with or differed or derided but never truly necessary.
Scott Wells casting his line... by Mike Manson
What was necessary was the feeling all three bands playing San Francisco's Independent on January 27th created and put out into the Rawk n Roll universe. Headliner Free Energy, from Philadelphia, are on tour doing one last North American victory lap for one of 2010's "FUNEST" records Free Energy, before returning to the studio to record a follow-up. This band gets what it means to be young, free, and seem to truly value the opportunity to play their songs in front of an audience. To call them infectious is an understatement and I always love the way they can transport me back to a time I was barely even old enough to feel nostalgic about. Let me tell you, there is NO app for making a person feel that way. And, searching YouTube videos with a detached reverence in the service of seeking ironic throughlines to your generation's "Cheap Trick", that won't cut it either. Free Energy get this and go for it, mustaches and all!! Their songs have BIG hooks that can reel in the biggest hipster marlin on stage before an AC/DC-worthy riff clubs them over the head. There should be a photo of the band proudly displaying the day's catch, holding some skinny-jeaned, colored Ray Ban wearing, iPhone-documenting hipster upside down by his ankles. Free Energy are the great fisherman of our time and I was happy to be gutted and filleted and tossed on ice with the rest of "iGeneration".
The Postelles embrace Motown and haberdashery...photo by Mike Manson
NYC's, The Postelles, played a Motown inspired - which seemed inspired by Elvis Costello's Motown inspired album Get Happy - set that was polished and delivered with a dash of self-awareness. Their songs are extremely consistent and seem destined to provide a soundtrack for young girls who find waify guys that consciously avoid eye contact and fiddle nervously with hats from another era on the top of their soon to be balding heads attractive. That is not meant to sound snarky, just a reminder that time marches on quickly and being fairly unoriginal in both thought and actions is a precious waste of youthful indiscretion. Advice to the males in attendance? Stop being so precious and SACK UP! These girls want to dance and get laid, not watch you putzing around with gizmos and texting with the people who aren't there with you.
Francisco, were joined on stage by another local band The She's. The nine people on stage age's barely cracked the century mark but played well beyond their years. This was both impressive and disappointing. Impressive in that I don't remember bands having the type of equipment and chops that were on display when I was their age. Disappointing in that I don't remember bands feeling the need to seem so much older and professional and blase at an age when you should be giving your energy away for FREE- to anyone really, like a shotgun blast of naiveté and not giving a FUCK! It's hard to complain about the sound, which was dialed in and the songwriting was impressive, but it felt a little soulless.
So there is a kind of review of sorts.
Paul Sprangers knows how to work it...photo by Robert Celli Jr.
As we approach the end of 2010 and I consider the bands, albums, and events that made an impact on me, certain names leap to the front on my mind. Free Energy and their debut album "Stuck On Nothing" are definitely on my "Best of" list. They were a breath of fresh air in an all too often "samey" landscape of "buzz" bands. The Philadelphia-based band rose out of the ashes of Hockey Night and combined hook-laden, heartfelt, and melody rich compositions while showcasing an appreciation for a by-gone era. They unabashedly celebrated and helped to usher in the return of "Power-Pop". For that I am truly grateful, as I was to have a chance to ask singer Paul Sprangers a few questions recently. Below is the interview that followed and some video of the singles off their aforementioned Astralwerks/DFA release from earlier in the year. Even more below, is a separate blog post about "The Free Energy Power Hour". This is a band that will soon be on the tip of everyone's tongue...
Free Energy singer Paul Sprangers
So 2010 has been a really BIG year for Free Energy, with the release of your full-length debut Stuck On Nothing and near constant touring, what sticks out as the most surprising moment or event of the year for the band?
Being picked to open for Weezer was definitely shocking! Like, Rivers Cuomo knows about us? That, to me, is crazy. The best events of the year, by far, was touring with Titus Andronicus, Mates of State, and Foreign Born, along with the amazing support bands like Miniature Tigers and Drink Up Buttercup. To meet and travel and perform which such grounded, talented people is a real joy, and makes for a perpetually inspired life.
In the interest of balance, what was the one thing you'd most like to forget ever happened?
I learn from everything that happens in my life, good and bad. But, heartbreak is something I'd like to forget. It's hard to move on when you can't let go. I'm still trying to let go.
What does being based in Philadelphia offer the band that New York or Los Angeles doesn't? Or, how has Philly infused itself into Free Energy's DNA?
Philly is so much more laid back. It's "neighborhoody". It's alive and has personality. You can ride your bike across the city in 20 minutes. It is home to the finest Ben Franklin re-enactors in the world. Philly is the place that we launched our live band from, and we have had incredible support from our friends, family, radio stations, bars, clubs, djs, and promoters. We've met incredible people working in all parts of the city and they all have been an integral part of this band taking off.
Live, Free Energy really lives up to its name. Your performances seem to recall a period in music when live shows were less reverent and more fun. What are some of the bands influences or models in the "live arena"?
Everything...Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, Daft Punk, definitely the
Rolling Stones, and Queen. Queen is huge!
The boys in repose...
A lot of critics and bloggers like to describe your sound, how would you describe the band's sound?
Melodies and love. Dream sounds.
I see you have some shows coming up with Weezer opening for part of their "Memories Tour". What does that kind of exposure mean for Free Energy?
Ha! See my answer above...I think the exposure is really good-because I think a lot of Weezer fans will like Free Energy. "The Blue Album" and Pinkerton changed my life.
"The Free Energy Power Hour" is one of the best marketing/promo pieces I have ever seen. The band's personality and sense of humor really are endearing and entertaining, whose idea was that (I'm thinking "Corn and Peas") and how did the various bits come together?
Thank you! That means a lot. We're not sure if people even know it exists?
It was our idea. We come up with a lot of ideas and characters in the van...it's like a mini-writing room. When the label asked us to make an "Epk" (electronic press kit) I suggested we develop our ideas and make a "show". I started fleshing out some of the bits and scripted them with our friend Ben Nabors who produced it (along with the "Bang Pop" and "Free Energy" videos).
"Corn and Peas" is just a bit that Evan and I mess with a lot. It's like
the world's shittiest comedy team. Like a shittier Penn and Teller or
something.
How important is having a presence on YouTube or being "viral" in some capacity to an up and coming band in today's music scene?
Well, we haven't had anything go "viral". I guess it can help get you attention, but it can also make things feel very transient, whether it's a band or a person or whatever. YouTube is amazing, and we love watching shit on YouTube. But I don't think people should work to make viral stuff. You should make what you are passionate about first and it will find its place in the world. Not everything or everyone should go "viral".
With 2011 just around the corner, what does Free Energy hope to accomplish in the New Year? Is a new album in the works?
New album is heavy in the works. We have a LOT of demos, and we're going to make a ton more in January and February. The New Year will be mainly spent staying hidden, so people don't get sick of hearing about goddamn Free Energy, and, making a record that is going to be light years beyond Stuck On Nothing.
Any resolutions you guys have been considering adopting?
Never count your chickens before they've hatched.
Rock and Roll High School indeed!
"Ridiculous but Necessary Questions"
What is your favorite cheese? Muenster
Thin Lizzy or Journey?Thin Lizzy (no contest)
Beverley Hills 90210 or Gossip Girl? 90210 (never seen Gossip Girl)
Bang or Pop? Oooooh...that's a good one. Pop
A month in the van with anyone (your pick)? Danny McBride
