Socio-economic currents, atmospheric pressure, sunspots, childhood traumas and our high school english teachers. Musically, a big melting pot of what-have-you. There's very little of which we all three agree upon the awesomeness, but a few pertinent names: The Beatles, Bob Dylan, early Motown records, Ben Harper, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Tom Waits, Alice Cooper, D'Gary, Elvis Costello, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Marilyn Manson, Dave Matthews Band, Frank Sinatra, Monster Magnet, The Beach Boys, Radiohead, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Opeth, Beck. And no, we're not kidding about any of these.
The Senate, Seattle’s foremost purveyors of “face-melting acoustic riffage,” formed in 2002 when Oliver Franklin, a rock-and roll guitarist with a classical background, went to a local coffeehouse to hear a solo set by African drummer-turned guitarist Nick Drummond.
Though Nick and Oliver had been high school classmates, Oliver was unprepared for what he heard that night.
“Nick’s music was memorable and technically accomplished, and he had a rhythmic approach to the guitar that I had never heard before,” says Oliver.
The two nineteen year-old musicians swapped songs after the show, and soon began writing and playing shows together. Jazz bassist Andrew Pulkrabek, Oliver’s grade-school friend and frequent musical collaborator, went to one of their early shows and heard something new as well.
“I had no idea acoustic instruments could rock so hard,” says Andrew.
In 2005, Nick and Oliver invited Andrew to play with them at a benefit concert, and the band’s lineup was completed. The members’ diverse backgrounds in music ranging from Afro-pop to heavy metal to musical theater proved to be an asset as they began to develop their sound. Using acoustic guitars, an upright bass and three voices, the Senate began writing nuanced and aggressive music grounded in polyrhythmic grooves, three-part vocal harmonies and a heavily percussive playing style.
“We talked about finding a drummer, but it turned out we didn’t need one,” says Drummond.
The Senate’s songs range from simple and introspective to driving and chaotic, a stylistic breadth mirrored in lyrics about sex, death, power, love, war, and drinking in space.
The Senate will release its first full-length recording, “Live at Solstice,” at a party at the Triple Door in downtown Seattle on March 11, 2008. The ten-song record includes a DVD of the band’s live show, recorded in September 2007 at Café Solstice in Seattle’s University District.
“Our fans have been amazingly supportive of our live shows,” explains Drummond, “so when they asked for a live experience they could take home, we listened.”
The band has won opening slots for Everclear, the Paperboys, Vicci Martinez, and Handful of Luvin, and placed first in Washington State University’s 2007 Battle of the Bands. Its first recording, the EP “These Cold Winds, was produced by former Nirvana engineer Tom Pfaeffle in 2006.
With powerful walls of sound built by only two acoustic guitars, an upright bass, and three voices, The Senate’s catchy songwriting, tight arrangements, and unorthodox instrumental techniques create a dynamic musical hybrid that continues to push the boundaries of acoustic instrumentation.
Hey guys, it's Andy Gaines. My new band has their first gig this Sunday at High Dive. If you're free, it would be awesome to see you there, we could definitely use the support!
Hey guys! Awesome show tonight at Redhook! It was amazing as usual! Oliver it was nice chatting with you at the end of the show! Too bad that the Awesome song is gone now though! Oh well, I look forward to next time for sure! You guys are amazing!
Thanks for yet again a phenomanal show tonight!It seems like everytime I see you guys perform, it's something new and always gets me pumped to hear you play in the future. I plan on seeing you next time at Cafe Solstice.
ok, that wasn't my imagination on Tuesday....as great as you guys are, that was not the same bass player you had the last time I saw you. You guys are trying to confuse me by growing your hair really long and shaving your beards...but, what's up???? Or was his disguise so good that it WAS the same guy???
Hey guys--hoping to see an updated schedule for October. Can't wait to come see you again--next time I'm bringing some new Senate fans who can't wait to see you play live. Much love and continued awe!
The internet is ablaze with tales of your awesomeness. Well, at least my little slice of it. Thanks again for an amazing show on Saturday. I'll definitely see you again soon!
Thank you so much for coming out to Wired and Unplugged last night. It made the last moments of the coffeehouse memorable for everyone. Hope to see you in Seattle!
Hello awesome ones!!!!!! I just got home from your show at Wired and Unplugged. You guys rock so much it makes me smile... a lot. And the death of the awesome song saddens me greatly. I made an animated music video in flash and I'll send it too you guys as soon as I find the CD I saved it on... who knows... maybe it will be so godly amazing you guys choose to resurrect the awesome song? And yes, I am holding my breath.
