Take 2 Tuesday: "Sparkplug" by Idiot Pilot

Genre: Alternative/Post-Hardcore/Progressive

Origin: Bellingham, Washington

The coil we've received is winding down (to the tension, the tension)/

There is no longer a need for any kind (of complexion, complexion)

I regret that I come to you today disappointed. It has just come to my attention that a phenomenal indie band has fallen from grace. According to a blog posted on their site on January 12th, 2011, "the band will be going on indefinite hiatus, and although we can not say at which point we will be working again, there is no telling what the future may hold" (www.idiotpilot.com).

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, an independently-spirited art mecca if there ever was one, Idiot Pilot belong(ed?) to the music scene that defined what indie-rock sounded like for the first decade of the 21st century with the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, and The Decemberists. I was turned on to them by a friend in high school after I saw the video for their track, "A Day in the Life of a Poolshark." I have always described them as what Radiohead would sound like if Thom Yorke had finally had enough with the world and decided to tear it apart verbally and sonically. So this week's Take 2 Tuesday is a track off their first album:

Idiot Pilot - "Sparkplug" off Strange We Should Meet Here

Also, a bonus track to check out this week: a song they released on their site back in March 2010 on a pick-your-own-price basis. It serves as a bittersweet bookend to their exciting evolution and possibly a peek into what would have become their third album.

Idiot Pilot - "The Tail of a Jet Black Swan" (Single)

-JB

Friday's End Note: A Bay Area Original - Then and Now

Hey. I'm Jason.

What you're reading will be my first post on this fantastic music blog that David started a couple of weeks ago. It will cover a vast, eclectic range of all things musically brilliant. I think it's really going places and I hope everyone is onboard :)

I thought it would be a good idea for my first post to establish my musical tastes and cultural standpoint much as David did with his first post in which he listed his favorite songs from every artist he's ever listened to. Now, seeing as I don't have anywhere near his level of patience or discipline I have decided rather to spotlight a band that crashed onto the scene during my very early childhood years, matured with me as I grew into adolescence and adulthood, and also hail from the same part of the U.S. as I do, the beautiful and unique San Francisco Bay Area.

---

AFI

Genre: Hardcore -> Post-Hardcore -> Alternative

Origin: Formed in Ukiah, California, gained notoriety in Berkeley, California

Standing for "A Fire Inside" (though originally "Asking for It" or alternatively "Anthems for Insubordinates"), AFI has been pushing the punk scene forward since the early 90's. Their early work, along with the efforts of their friends in the band Tiger Army, defined the Bay Area hardcore scene. Their 1996 album, Very Proud of Ya, is filled with quintessential examples of what hardcore is all about: short, fast, unwaveringly aggressive blasts of repetitive instrumentation accompanied by screaming gang vocals courtesy of lead singer, Davey Havok.

AFI - "File 13" off Very Proud of Ya

1999 signaled a change of the guard for AFI. They recruited a new guitarist named Jade Puget. It is my personal opinion that Puget is one of the most under-appreciated guitarists of the past decade. Puget's moody and understated plucking and equally harmonious searing riffs and solo shredding brought in the age of gothic AFI. This new dark strain permeated it's way into many of the up and coming "emo" bands of the early 2000's such as My Chemical Romance and The Used.

AFI - "Silver and Cold" off Sing the Sorrow

AFI - "Summer Shudder" off DECEMBERUNDERGROUND

Crash Love, AFI's latest release (2009), seems to suggest a slight step back from punk, showcasing a focus on a more alternative sound. The album also features less esoteric lyrics which were a standby of their three gothic-phase albums. This has helped to make it more accessible to new fans who may not have been into Havok's wildly poetic writing style in previous efforts. This maturing sound has had an influence on the scene as punk bands such as Sum-41 and New Found Glory take a turn for the serious as well.

AFI - "Darling, I Want to Destroy You" off Crash Love

-JB