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.
I saw you guys on saturday at Boulevard. You guys were amazing. And andrew your beat boxing skills fucking blew my mind. You guys are unbelievably good and I know you will do great things and go so far. I will definitely be there on the 12th. I'm going to tell all my friends about you and play my new CD for everyone. You guys are too good to not have everyone know about you. Thanks so much for the great show. Good Luck!!
Can't wait to show you guys off to my friends. Been trying to get back into seeing bands again. Fell in love when I saw you guys a couple of yrs ago at my friends Urban Arts festival in Tacoma. I do believe they will be pleased!!
So I saw your concert last night and the only words that I have to describe you transcend the essence of human consciousness, and because of that I can only call you guys amazing, I am amazed that you guys are able to play so well, so tight, so acoustic and still be able to pull off a closer cover, you guys are so great, I hope to see your next show in Bellingham
Oh and By the way, hope you enjoyed the hula hoopers thanks to my handmade hula hoops
GREAT SHOW TONIGHT!!!! I had a really stressful day and I wasn't sure I was even going to make it to the show. But I am so glad I was able to go, it was the perfect end to a bad day! Thanks for making that happen! Lots of love from Yakima!!
Come join Z Kamp this Saturday April 4th at the East Side Tavern with two other amazing bands Glass Elevator and Eldridge Gravy. Show starts at 9 and Z Kamp ends the night!
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