Miss Modus: vox and tambourine. Miss Modus was a little slower than most kids to start walking, so she spent more of her formative months at floor level than most, and developed a shoe fixation which turned into an addiction. Extensive therapy has controlled those urges but not before she bought the Imelda Marcos collection and installed it in the shoe wing of Modus Mansions. Nowadays Miss Ms passion is a-singin' and a-dancin', preferably with a tambourine in one hand and the special Modus Mic in the other. The legendary Modus Mic was developed because Miss Modus has unusual amounts of ferrous material in them thar bones, and can generate feedback at 100 paces. We think this is probably an undiscovered / unrefined super power
Mr Brewster: 4 string electric bass. Mr Brewster took up bass at an early age, and thus can only count to 4. Thats OK though, cos thats approximately how many beats we usually have in a bar. Mr B is at the heart of the Modus rhythm section and drives a 4x4 (hey! a pattern emerges!) pimp mobile with tinted windows so no-one can see him enjoy his Skoal bandit habit. Pass the spittoon!!
Rod the Mod: Rod the Mod, or Rod the Mod for short, plays keys and Hammond and occasionally grunts into the reserve mics in a key related to the song. Rod has a long and interesting history on various scenes but has risen to the pinnacle of his career with Modus! Rod makes his own clothes from a secret stash of old folks homes old curtains and enjoys feasting on oranges.
Scott aka Soul Hipster: Scott provides the thumping of the tubs and competes with RTM for position as best mod in the band, a tough competition with a field of two. His stage persona combines the lunacy of Keith Moon with the heavy hitting of John Bonham and the jazz sensibilities of Buddy Rich. Scott is happy to receive donations of modernist clothing, however (and I quote) under no circumstances must the bottom of the trousers make contact with the upper surface of the shoe!!!. Scott helps the environment by only using the bare minimum of cloth in all his garments and superglueing used lolly sticks together to make drum sticks.
Mel J Esq. Mr Mel is a retired dolphin trainer who struggled to find work in Edinburgh, thus necessitating a second career in music. Mel brings the guitar goodness to Modus and continues to remind the band that the guitar is the dominant musical instrument of the 20th and indeed 21st centuries. Nevertheless, Scott persists in asking if he can make the guitar sound sort of less nice. The most common request heard by Mel by far, however, is can you do more soul chops? Wherefore the rock?
So...it seems we were spotted by the eagle-eyed style gurus over at Bite Life magazine, and lo and behold, after a 10 minute grilling, we set the world to rights on the dos and dont's of band style...
IsThisMusic are the latest folks to review our new album 'Sounds from the Kitten Casino' and it seems they like it...
"Fortunately, from its gorgeous cover art onwards, this album renounces any attempt pigeon-holing in order to create a sound that would be as at home on dancefloors in any decade"
Modus Latest: Here's a wee snippet from Dead Earnest's review of the new album...
"In an album where there's nothing less than a consistent song on the whole thing, you don't single out individual tracks - you play the whole thing from start to finish, frugging and jiving to every gold-tipped minute, loving its familiarity, admiring its originality and in awe of its execution, while falling firmly under the spell of a female lead vocal that provides the endles waves of solid pleasure"
The Modus story goes something like this:
In the summer of 2002, fate had messrs Spark, Wagener and Kennedy meet through mutual acquaintances. Within days a rehearsal room was booked and grooves were being methodically laid down. It was during this period that the Modus groove ethic was totally enshrined. They luckily had that connection that only happens once or twice in a musicians career, and were quick to nurture it. Their vision: to write and perform music of such quality that the entire world would take notice.
Our trio however also understood the need for more personnel. After many auditions and wasted explanations of The Dream, the erstwhile trio finally separated the Cats from the dogs and acquired the services of Miss Modus and Mel Johnson Esq. Miss Modus brought with her a perfect track record from years of singing blue eyed soul classics, Mr Johnson was approached after his gutsy RnB hooks were heard by the fledgling band. After a long embryonic period the final pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place.
Hallelujah!
For the last two years Modus have been perfecting their song writing and live act, performing regularly across the UK and building up a small but highly informed following. Recently the band have played gigs all over the UK, festivals in Spain, Italy, Birmingham, Glasgow and Scarborough. Currently work is gathering pace on the creation and capture of material which will form the basis of what will likely be a scorching new album. Some of this new material has recently premiered to mesmerising effect at gigs in London and Birmingham.
Amen?
With a headspinning rush of melody, a tidal wave surge of organ, irresistible guitar hooks and the hippest rhythm section this side of the motor city 66, Modus are likely to burst from hip obscurity to worldly success any day now.
us 3 boys are youre biggest fans, we know perfection takes time, but i' sorry if you don't get it out soon wee will have to withdraw as being official stalkers!!!!
Samples of our new Record Kicks single “I’m Sorry (Can I please come home)” & ”The Battle of Yoker” are now up on our Myspace for your delectation. Have a listen!
photos from the Modus gig at Newcastle Civic Centre on Saturday are available top see on my website www.harra.fotopic.net hopefully on MySpace too on Friday!
Join me on Ace Radio every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 10pm til midnight (UK time) for the Teenage Kicks Radio Show featuring a mix of Scootering & Punk sounds from the 60's through to the present day. 2-Tone, Ska, Mod, Soul, Motown, New-Wave, Punk & Oi!
Any Mod, Ska or Scootering related bands that would like to have their music played on the show are invited to get in touch. david@aceradio.co.uk
awwww, thanks Modus! still looking for my dream egg chair though! ever play in the states? your sound is incredible and so vibrant...keeps me dancing for hours. xox
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ever play in the states? your sound is incredible and so vibrant...keeps me dancing for hours. xox
