Story by Jacob O’Gara
Photos Courtesy of Bands
Bandest of the Bands is on Saturday, but do you know who’s playing? We sat down with our five contenders to find out more about who they are, where they come from, and why they should win.
The Longshots
There are six member of The Longshots, and listening to their music, one can see why. Their sound is rich and texture—the sort of sound one can only make with six people—with the drum pops and sax bleats that are the tonal signatures of ska. In that way, The Longshots are a throw-back to the 1980s when ska-flavored rock bands, like the Crazy 8s of Portland, dominated college radio. We asked Shane Connor, lead vocalist and instrumentalist, some questions.
How would you describe your sound?
Like most music, our sound takes root in traditional genres. We’re a blend of rock, punk, big band, ska, jazz and reggae. Lately we’ve been adding a looser “soul” element to our sound, particularly by introducing an organ. Our bass lines are complex and quick, contrary to most ska and reggae bands, and our rhythm players search for a groove. Our biggest goal on stage is to entertain, find the “pocket” in the groove, and above all, drive the beat forward.
When did you get interested in music?
Personally, I was interested in music since I can remember. Mostly everyone who has and currently plays in the Longshots attended the UO School of Music to some degree, whether they specialized in big band jazz, marching band, orchestra, etc. We’ve been together since 2008, some of us having played together since high school.
Which bands/artists most influenced you?
The Aggrolites, The Skatalites, Alton Ellis and the Flames, Eric Donaldson, The English Beat, The Specials, Rancid, Operation Ivy, A Minor Threat, Sublime, Reel Big Fish, The Toasters, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, the list goes on…
Do you have any grand plans for Bandest?
Well, aside from maybe dressing up in the first time in our band’s career, we’re not really in it to win it. We want people who haven’t heard us before to check us out, and we also want as many people as possible to bring socks for Kevin Bronk. And if we do win that would be a cherry on top.
Sol Seed
These days, synergy seems to be a word used only by annoying, finger-snapping entertainment executives. They don’t really know what it means, so they use the word stupidly, and the world is that much poorer for it. We must, then, thank Sol Seed, for they have come to reclaim synergy. They are certainly synergetic: Their style is a medley of ’60s rock, reggae, jazz, Latin rhythm, and hip-hop, a combination that is more than simply the sum of its parts. We asked Sol Seed some questions before the Bandest of the Bands on Saturday.
How would you describe your sound?
We’ve come to call our music “Psychedelic Reggae Fusion.” It’s a mix of Reggae, Hip Hop and Psychedelic Rock with hints of Jazz, Blues, Funk, and Latin.
When did you get interested in music?
We’ve all been musicians our whole lives. Sol Seed started about two years ago and we’ve been steadily growing in members and sound.
Which bands/artists most influenced you?
Globally: Steel Pulse, Jimi Hendrix, Toots and the Maytals, The Marley Family, Slightly Stoopid, Sublime, Steve Miller Band, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Xavier Rudd, Grouch & Eligh, Atmosphere, Living Legends, Rage Against the Machine, Carlos Santana, Tower of Power, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ben Harper, SOJA, The Movement and many more.
Locally: Frankie Hernandez, SYNRGY, Indubious, Simplistic, The T Club, Medium Troy, The Illies, Alcyon Massive, State of Jefferson and all the other local bands and artist putting out good music for the love of it.
What is your grand strategy, as it were, for Bandest?
All the bands are so badass and unique we don’t even know who we would want to vote for. Our strategy is just to have much fun as we can, bring as much energy as we can, and play the best show that we can. No matter what it’s going to be an awesome night and an amazing opportunity.
The Great Hiatum
The Great Hiatum is dance rock, which is a way of saying that they’re like regular rock with a more pronounced, groovier beat. Like the other bands competing to see which is truly the bandest, The Great Hiatum is at the intersection of a number of styles. Its members are: Melissa Randel, the lead vocalist; Keith Randel and James Aronoff playing guitar; Max Miller, bassist; and Travis Lein on the drums and synth.
How would you describe your sound?
Dance rock, with a sprinkle of jazz, punk, and flair.
When did you get interested in music?
We have been together about two years, in some conglomeration of band members. I started singing at 21, when I decided not to rely on others to provide me with music I could react to. We are all audiophiles, and have been since birth.
Which bands/artists most influenced you?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Florence and the Machine, Tom Petty, Arcade Fire, Janis Joplin, Cake.
What are your plans for Bandest?
As the only “rock” band, we are hoping to bring a lot of energy to our performance. Our music is something that gets people dancing and participating. We intend to leave everyone joyful, energized, and elated by the end of our set. If all else fails, I’ll get naked (just kidding).
Alder Street All Stars
The Alder Street All Stars, a five-piece band formed at Campbell Club cooperative, are musical deconstructionists. The bluegrass, folk, and country rock genres are the basis of their sound, yet they twist and tweak those reference points in a way that makes the Alder Street All Stars fresh (not something typically associated with these dusty, steadfastly traditional genres) and altogether original. On Saturday, they’ll find out if their experiments with the old school will make the Alder Street All Stars the bandest of them all.
How would you describe your sound?
We are basically an inbred twice removed cousin of bluegrass from the concrete valley.
When did you get interested in music?
About the time Michael Jackson died. We figured it was time for a new king of pop.
Which bands/artists most influenced you?
Townes Van Zandt, Devil Makes Three, Bill Monroe, Bela Fleck, Willie and Waylon and the boys, and Michael Jackson.
So, how are you going to win?
We’ll use the old tried and true recipe: Getting drunk and playing real fast.
Hot Milk
Hot Milk ain’t your grandmama’s jazz quartet! In fact, they’re probably not even your mama’s. A fusion of the modern and the old-fashioned, Hot Milk is composed of vocalist Rebecca Conner, bassist Dusty Carlson, Andy Page on the saxophone, and Susan Richardson on the drums. We talked with Carlson about the band.
How would you describe your sound?
Hot Milk is old-timey, swampy jazz with a little bit of reggae thrown in there. We like to put a modern spin on old influences.
When did you get interested in music?
It’s something I’ve always been interested in, and I went to school for it.
Which bands/artists most influenced you?
Jazz of course: really good songwriters like The Beatles, Tom Waits, Dylan. But jazz is huge…people like Charles Mingus and John Coltrane…along with older jazz like The Ink Spots.
Do you have any plans for Bandest?
We’re going to dress in camo, like we’re going into battle.
Bandest of the Bands will be held at the WOW Hall on Saturday, January 28 at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
