The Cure, Rufus Wainwright, Liz Phair, Greg Duli, Tori Amos, Sufjon Stevens, Marilyn Manson, Morrissey, Nirvana, NIN, Pansy Division, PJ Harvey, Prince, Bill Belzer, Lou Reed, Miles Davis, Betty Davis, my Father, and my Grandfather.
Charles S. McVey is a singer/songwriter who uses the medium of music as a backdrop for discussing a wide range of emotional experiences with regard to the human condition. His upfront lyrics allow him to remain frank and open while addressing subjects such as sexuality, suffering, and religious dogmas. His 2007 release, “Modern Living” received critical praise and resulted in over 75 regional performances to promote the album. Recently, McVey contributed to the score of Steve Balderson's acclaimed documentary “Wamego: Ultimatum” and has performed with national acts such as They Might Be Giants and Ian Moore.
McVey’s upcoming release, “ANIMAL,” is a nine track exploration into the loss of one’s faith. Casually labeled as a “spiritual break-up” record, the songs meander through such concepts as sexual repression, doubt, and divine abandonment. The recordings are melodically saturated while remaining emotionally bare, exposing the raw nerves and the disconcerting reflections of a man who wants to believe in God – but doesn’t. The album’s erotic artwork features adult film star Scott Campbell, and mixes Maplethorpe-esque photography with religious imagery to create a sexy and confrontational package. Within an hour the “edited for content” version of the cover was reported and removed from McVey’s MySpace page.
“ANIMAL” features the same line-up as “Modern Living” with McVey on piano and vocals, Erik Kessinger on drums, and Max Paley on bass. Lawrence musicians Dan Kozak (saxophone, This is My Condition), Josh Atkinson (guitar, Kelpie), and Clark Jamison (percussion, Lila, 11:11) also contributed to the recording. Colin Mahoney (engineering, Split Lip Rayfield) mastered the final product.
The arrangement of the tracks is a conceptual downslide ending in spiritual independence or emptiness, depending on the listener’s view of the world. “ANIMAL” does not present an alternative theology, nor is its intent to offer answers or explanations, but merely to raise questions. The listener is encouraged to explore its content with curiosity and an open mind. “ANIMAL” is the culmination of a year’s worth of work based on a lifetime’s contemplation and it is Charles S. McVey at his most refined.
“McVey’s piano-based rock mixes innovative instrumentation with
lyrics you won’t hear anywhere else.”
~ Matt Hanne - Liberty Press Oct. 2007
"...candidly addressed matters of sexuality with pathos-packed ballads and ’80s influenced alt-rock."
~ Richard Gintowt Lawrence.com May 2008
"...waiting for that golden shower."
~ Berry Anderson - The Pitch Nov. 2007
On "Sir"
"...a rather enticing love song for those who require more than the typical slow sappiness." ~ Jeannine Snyder - The Washburn Review Sept. 2007
On Charles S. McVey
"...a gifted songwriter..."
~ Timothy Finn - KC Star July 2007
"With his gravely Tom Waits like voice and the in your face look at the world, Charles is a musical force, may it be with you, to reckon with."
~ Michael Shinafelt - DoorQ.com Feb. 2008
"McVey's music promotes sexual awakenings."
~ Molly Coon - Public Notary May 2008
Dear Friend, finally it is out! The LONG expected release of our EP "Interrupted (Triptych I)" !!!
"you wonder why get interrupted / was life too fast / the nights too long / you give a fuck / get interrupted / you want no break / keep speeding on..."
Watch the music video, created by the young & wild Japanese video artist Yukihiro Taguchi. Be Surprised! You will also find some wicked REMIXES on Youtube and iTunes ;-)
Learn more about our current project "Triptych I-III" on our MySpace site...
Hey just wanted to stop by and thank you for your friendship and let you know that you can now download the entire "American Nightmare" album for ONE DOLLAR for a limited time!
Go to the Dead Aesthetic profile and click on the album cover art in the right hand column to get it now!
Thanks again for the support and I hope you enjoy the album!
didn't know if you know how much i love ya! Hope you are doing well...keep me posted on new material..i will let you know if i am going make it to Larryville this winter.
Names Annie. Im on here, just making some new friends. Thanx for the add. I did a blog titled " People need hope, especially now. He was for me", did you have a chance to read it? Please comment it. Or leave a pic comment on his pic. Someones being a good samaritan and saving lives. I've been digging for about a. year now. You can look thru my blogs if ya want. Just saw hope when I was rescued, and want to find out more about him. Thank him one day. Silly huh? Well, I was at such a low point. And I went to the bridge near grandview, to just end it all. I was going to have a kid, and what did I know about having a kid. Had no one, not even myself. And his voice just made me freeze. Like I was the only one there in the world. And just being in his presence, I felt larger than myself and yet so small, if that makes any sense. I know I would be dead if he hadn'tstopped me from jumping. And as I dug and dug, I began to see more and more of these good samaritan reports. Thus, this site. So if ya could, please leave a comment on my blog, :)
It's finally here- We Are The Joans, the debut CD from the Chicago based band dedicated to giving Joan Crawford a rock and roll voice. Order yours now and God Bless you.
yes anyone CAN do porno..the real question is SHOULD ALL THAT CAN, DO?
i should have taken it up years ago..right along with stripping..back like oh 10 years ago...and stored all the money back for now.
i am a blonde and now that i am somewhat senile as well..oh damn. I can't wait to get old. i want to hang out on my front porch (in a sun dress, smoking a corn cob pipe and holding a shotgun) in the middle of the country, and wait for trespassers. BRING ON THE GOD DAMN MENOPAUSE..i need an excuse to be going this crazy.
