Arts, Etc.Music

The Year of the ‘E’

Lead singer Jared Summerell and guitarist Dave McDonald, members of the the "earlies" under contract with Slog Records, played at the Alligator Lounge in Santa Monica late Wednesday night and will be playing in Pasadena Oct. 10 at the No Future Cafe. / photo by Echelle Avelar
Lead singer Jared Summerell and guitarist Dave McDonald, members of the the “earlies” under contract with Slog Records, played at the Alligator Lounge in Santa Monica late Wednesday night and will be playing in Pasadena Oct. 10 at the No Future Cafe. / photo by Echelle Avelar

Concert Review: ‘earlies’ excite No Future Cafe…

by Greg MacDonald
Editorial Assistant

As the lights dimmed at the No Future Cafe in Pasadena, Jared Summerell, Justin Keough, Burke Gordon and David McDonald, better known as the alternative rock band the “earlies,” tuned their guitars and drums, respectively, in preparation of their return performance at the cafe.

The “earlies,” formed in late 1994, played at the No Future Cafe for the first time since the release of their debut, self-titled album. The band offered a show mixed with rock and roll, energy and humor.

“It is cool playing shows like this. We have played here forever,” said Summerell, who is the band’s lead singer. “It is our starting point, kind of like a little home for us.”

The “earlies” feel like they have the talent to sign a major record deal, but they have limitations for their success.

“We have given this a time period where if we make it big, we will go along with it,” said Gordon, who is the bass guitarist and vocalist. Gordon says it has been a year since the CD came out and that if the band does not break into the business in the next year, they will most likely move on.

The music and style of the “earlies” is, as the band puts it, “indie pop,” a combination of English rock and pop rock. With that solid sound comes plenty of comparisons.

“We have been compared to Weezer. But it has thinned out a little since we started,” said Summerell, as he noted Catherine Wheel and Weezer as some of the band’s influences.

McDonald added, “Better Weezer than Megadeth.”

One reason the band gets compared, as it does, is because it sends demo tapes to record companies and magazines.

In the February/March 1997 edition of the Highwire Daze, Kenneth Morton, music critic, said the “earlies” reminded him of “the late ’70s, when bands like the Plimsouls and the Romantics roamed the clubs.”

Morton also stated that “all the songs on new tape show a good deal of potential” and that one song, Jack Daniel, “could be the next novelty hit played on KROQ.”

Though not on KROQ yet, the “earlies” have been on the radio.

“We did a radio show called Home Grown on 97.5 [FM]. It was a one hour radio show on local bands,” said Gordon. “We did some acoustic stuff, and [the station’s DJs] played the stuff on the album and did some interviews.”

The band has toured nationally, and with the help of its record label, Slog Records, the “earlies” may be discovered soon.

“Everything with Slog is awesome. They have everything mapped out perfectly,” said Summerell. “Josh [Massie, operations manager] really knows what he is doing. He takes control of the Slog thing, and he has the right people taking care of the right things. He has a better understanding of the music industry than, I think, most people do. He is a smart guy.”

Slog Records, formed in May of this year, has a vision committed to their bands: “To work diligently for long hours and to strike with heavy blows.”

The president of Slog Records, Chris Suchanek, said, “We’re looking for bands that are willing to work real hard, obviously touring helps sell records. We want bands that are willing to play as much as possible.

“We want bands that work hard at promoting themselves and not just get a record deal and expect the label to do it.”

With all of the touring and promoting that the “earlies” have done, their album should be a hot seller. The album is not released in major stores or chains but is available at smaller places like Rhino Records in Claremont and Moby Disc in Pasadena.

“There’s not a whole lot to the label. Things are just getting started,” said Massie. They are going to take off.”

Summerell feels that with the combination of hard work by the band and Slog Records, the next 12 months “will be the year of the ‘E’.”

Music Review: …while album hits record stores

by Laura Czingula
Editorial Director

With most music today people tend to grow tiresome and bored of hearing practically the same thing on every radio station.

Thanks to the “earlies,” a coming out band, listeners are fortunate enough to experience a whole new level of good music. Not the same old stuff.

The “earlies” is a band from Southern California exploring its routes in the music industry.

There are only six songs on the self-titled album from Slog Records, but each song gives an in-depth poetic version of each of the individuals in the band.

The band members consist of, Jared Summerell, lead vocalist and guitarist; Burke Gordon, vocalist and bass; Justin Keough, drums; and David McDonald, vocalist and guitarist.

The group provides alternative music along the lines of Beck and the Foo Fighters.

One song that stands out from the others is “Jack Daniel.” The song is about a man walking down the street who runs into Nirvana’s late lead singer, Kurt Cobain, (the man says he is Cobain). The man and the so-called, “Kurt Cobain” converse and the man can tell that “Cobain” had been drinking. This song should be their No. 1 hit and on the radio in no time.

“Felt Good” and “Can’t Figure It Out” are two more good songs on the album that listeners should enjoy. “Felt Good,” is about a guy breaking up with his girlfriend, and then regretting it.

“Can’t Figure it Out,” describes a relationship that was so good, but now is over. The boyfriend wants his girlfriend back, and can not figure out why they stopped seeing each other.

Most who have experienced relationships know exactly what is being said in the songs and can relate to this music on a more emotional level.

If the lyrics of each song are listened to very carefully, the listener will discover that the songs are bizarre stories that probably happened in a real life situation.

It is not another transformation of high tech music or re-makes of old songs, which is what is on the radio a lot lately. So many people are tied of hearing the same stuff.

The album is a refreshing new sound that people will enjoy. The songs have a catchy rhythm, which makes the listener want more. Look for the album hitting major record stores soon.

Greg MacDonald, Editor in Chief
Greg MacDonald
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Laura Czingula, Sports Editor
Laura Czingula
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Echelle Avelar, Sports Editor
Echelle Avelar
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