Minimal band, maximal sound
Originally published in The State Newspaper, circa 2003.
By OTIS R. TAYLOR JR. / Staff Writer
Huh?
It would get too complicated to examine the origin of this band’s name. Besides, their sound is more fashionable than their choice of fabric.
A brother and sister duo, Marty and Jack Dunn are Columbia’s new music minimalists. Jack plays guitar, and Marty plays the drums.
Remind you of anyone?
Oh yeah, that other brother-on-guitar/sister-on-drums group, the White Stripes.
Vinyl Are My Pants are Columbia’s White Stripes, right? The comparison does Jack and Marty no justice, because the two bands sound nothing alike.
But they don’t mind at all.
“Any two piece with guitar and drums is going to be compared to them,” Jack said. “It’s just the format. We see it as a challenge.”
“I love the White Stripes,” Marty said. “It doesn’t really bother me.”
See the distinct difference at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Lettuce Lounge, 114 State St., West Columbia, as the band opens for the Mouse CD release party.
The White Stripes are garage-blues oriented, while VAMP are straight ahead garage rock. Jack Dunn’s guitar is edgy and refined, a perfect blend for their sound.
And Marty is certainly no Meg White. Meg’s drumbeats are languid and predictable, While Marty blisters her set with controlled recklessness. And Marty uses her crash cymbal. A lot.
This isn’t their first band together, and Jack and Marty didn’t start VAMP as an exclusive family affair. They both played guitar in the band Slurr a few years ago. The band broke up and Jack worked on a solo project while Marty learned how to drum.
“I like playing the drums. I enjoy it more than guitar, “ she said. “The physical aspect. I never thought I’d get there.”
Jack and Marty joined together, adding a keyboard or bass player here and there to fill out the sound, until they realized they didn’t need anyone else.
“A guy didn’t show up for practice. We tried the songs anyway and they worked,” Jack said. “Logistically, it’s a whole lot simpler.”
“Less people, less confusion,” Marty said.
The minimal format has not stopped VAMP from producing complex arrangements reminscient of Sonic Youth’s “Sister” and “Goo.” They are heavy and intense for a few bars over Jack’s invasive chants before sliding into a slow melodic ramble under Marty’s backing harmony.
VAMP is more 764-HERO/indie rock than White Stripes, and more Blonde Redhead/post-punk than that. They push through their turbulent 20-minute sets so fast that it’s over before your ears have a chance to ring.
But the sound lingers. And that’s what it’s about for Vinyl Are My Pants, a band that just might make vinyl clothing popular again.
“We just take all our influences and put them through our filter,” Jack said. “The bands I’ve been impressed with leave you wanting more.”