X, Sonic Youth, Bikini Kill, Bach, Nirvana, The Boss, Reb Tevye, Isaac Stern, Huggy Bear, Yasha Heifetz
Sounds Like
“Ready for an indie break out....radical politics, inspired riffs, textured harmonies and pure sex appeal”
-Curve Magazine
"All four members of The Shondes treated their Yiddish and classical–influenced post-punk like a heavy object to be lifted and carried. This was especially true of bassist and lead vocalist Louisa Solomon, who charged at the mic as if to push the song forward with her body. Her powerful voice rose and fell with the other members’ voices and Oberman’s weeping violin, which gave the songs an ethereal, theatrical tone, while Temim Fruchter’s head-long drumming ensured that prettiness never compromised fire. Old-world romance elegantly intertwined with riot grrrl piss and vinegar onstage. Eat your heart out, Gogol Bordello." -Venus Zine
“Riot grrrl radicalism wed to classically structured songs, distortion pedals, clashing vocals, and powerful lyrics.” -The Village Voice
"Hard-driving, politically savvy rock 'n roll.” –Flavorpill
"This is a band that rocks as if they just don't give a fuck but has crafted their art in a manner that shows they clearly do." -Earfarm
"Are The Shondes the next Sleater-Kinney?' -VH1's Best Week Ever blog
At times, the Shondes conjure comparisons to post-punk's volatile spark on songs like "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and "Let's Go," and yet they seem most inspired when the orchestra kicks in on "Your Monster" and "The Start Of Everything" as walls of shiver-inducing, epic violins crescendo. Louisa Rachel Solomon's vocals are strong, nimble and graceful on the band's self-released debut, which sees both complex song structures intertwined with direct, inquisitive lyrics. The result is an album rich in saw-tooth guitars, pummeling rhythms and an undeniably anthemic spirit. It's haunting and it's eerie, yet it's rousing. The Shondes are a twisted carnival film noir come true.
-CMJ
"The Red Sea," is a visceral work. While they give much credit to the sounds that influenced them -- riot girl and queercore bands of the '90s, traditional Jewish music -- their moody songs are redolent of a time in the early '80s when punk fractured into something more tuneful and complex. Harmonies grow discordant, Eli Oberman's [violin] lends substantial melancholy to their quiet-loud dynamics. While being a radical, Judaic-bent, genderqueer, post-punk quartet sets The Shondes apart, being a political band whose music is as strong as its message is a rare treat.
-The Chicago Tribune
The Shondes (taking their name from the Yiddish word for "shame" or "disgrace") are a band from Brooklyn, NY whose dramatic brand of rock music has been compared to Sleater-Kinney, Patti Smith and The Raincoats. Their instrumentation includes drums (Temim Fruchter), bass (Louisa Solomon), guitar (Fureigh) and violin (Elijah Oberman) and vocals (primarily Solomon).
The Shondes are known for their melodic rock sound and a live show that explodes with energy. Their music draws from feminist punk, classical and Jewish music, which combine to create songs that are often both heartbreaking and hopeful. They bring an infectious urgency to their live performances that gets audiences on their feet and singing along.
From their formation, The Shondes have maintained a rigorous tour schedule including several national tours, regular east coast dates and festivals such as North by Northeast and Homo A Go Go. They have shared the stage with the likes of Electrelane, Rasputina, Erase Errata, Amy Ray, Joe Lally (Fugazi), Mecca Normal and Lesbians on Ecstasy. The band also organizes events and benefits, often in partnership with activist organizations. Their debut album, The Red Sea, produced by Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants) was released to much acclaim in January, 2008.
Thank you much for the compliment on the layout. I'm sorry it's a bit complex, but it is kind of cool. I'm sorry I missed your show at the Black Cat! I hope it was awesome though!! I hope to catch you guys next time you're in D.C.!!!
*** There will be a drop-off bin***
Please donate books, media, zines, and more to a literary grassroots collective! WRITTEN W(HER)D is an upcoming Brooklyn-based lending library and book collective for womyn, girls, & LGBTQ people/youth of color. As part of the collective, WRITTEN W(HER)D will develop initiatives fostering literacy among LGBTQ incarcerated youth.
