The Right Honorable Chris Robley (melodic instruments)
Chairman John Stewart (percussive instruments)
Friends and Lovers: Drew Norman- guitar, banjo, glocenspiel, funsticks Rachel Taylor Brown- rhodes, synth, guitar, funsticks, vocals Rob Stroup- bass, vocals, synth, funsticks
Influences
The Songsmithy of Lenin/Marx
Punk Floyd
Militant Pacifism
Nirvana and Burt Bacharach
Sounds Like
the bustle of a nation at war
syd barrett holding his shit together
the thump of hearts beating in a stiff indie-world
peace is Hell. Dance, friends, dance!
"The Sort Ofs put out a great album of political rock during a time when we should be getting a lot more political music. The music is as tight as the message (decidedly anti-war) and reminiscent of an old favorite, The Cavedogs."
-Abe Beeson, host of KEXP's Audioasis
... Wow. A friend from PA just came across this review of the top albums of 2006 from the West Chester Univ. of PA student publication and sent it to us. Its amazing what you can find from google-ing your own name. We should try it more often. Anyways, thanks for the kind words, Rebecca. We're charmed...
"The best underground band of the year hasn't even made the hipsters scream yet. This band is so packed with talent and so underappreciated, I'm pretty sure I've struck gold.
The Sort Ofs have no reason not to be the biggest name in the indie-scene. Their electro-magnetic sound, political outlook and addictive vocal stylings make this band better than anything you've ever heard. They are part Beatles, part Stones, part Smiths and part Elliott Smith-making them everything you want and nothing you don't.
Anxiety on Parade is a necessity to any record collection that contains good music. If you like the Killers now, you'll hate them after hearing how much better The Sort Ofs are.
Outstanding tracks include "Anxiety," "Terror-ism," "Our Bed's an Angry Ocean" and "Fascist Freedom." For more information and to get your hands on this rarity of music genius, I suggest going straight to the source because Best Buy doesn't carry stuff this good. Check 'em out: www.thesortofs.com."
Rebecca Grites-The Quad.
"With a veritable CNN scroll of lyrics dealing with war, terrorism and other pleasantries of modern life (but, it should be noted, from a humanistic viewpoint rather than anything overtly political), The Sort Ofs have sort of created a mesmerizing collage of musical detritus that is engaging and always inviting. Singer and writer Chris Robley has a tendency towards the grand in the best possible way and here pulls off the rare trick of discussing big themes without becoming didactic or preachy."
Corin Ashley-Big TakeOver
"Its rare for a band to come out of the gate with a debut as impressive and confident as Anxiety on Parade."
Barbara Mitchell-Portland Tribune
"Why aren't The Sort Ofs, like, the hugest, biggest, most famous-est indiepop band in PDX? Have you heard their newer songs? Have you heard the tight, magnificently perfect pop wizardry they wield? Totally. It's some sweet harmony tossing, smartly produced, futuristic (sorta Nintendo-y sometimes), hard smacking power pop."
Grant Morris-Portland Mercury
"Maybe The Sort-Ofs should come up with another name for their band, because theres nothing tentative or noncommittal about their new album Anxiety On Parade... (the album) is nothing if not constantly straddling the fence between moving narratives and just plain rocking out. Message-driven rock music may seem like a throwback, but The Sort-Ofs prove that music with a biting point can still be cool and rock out at the same time."
Kim Ruehl- West Coast Performer Magazine
"It's an engaging listen filled with a curious sense of wide-eyed cynicism and weary wonder... Themes of war and oppression and all their foibles run high on Anxiety on Parade, but the the heady themes are tempered with pop goodness and smarts... Pretty cool indeed and further evidence that The Sort Ofs are right-on."
Scott D. Lewis-Plazm
"(Anxiety on Parade) is an assured, well-crafted debut. Singer-songwriter Chris Robley's knack for hook-laden melodies finds a perfect companion in John Stewart's drumming, and the songs veer from lush soundscapes to heavier neo-punk pop fare."
Karla Starr-Willamette Week
"Robley and Stewart put it all across with confidence and panache."
Marty Hughley-Oregonian
.....and now for Kristiana Weseloh's music video for "Head to Head with the Smarts of Our Leisure, Pt. 2"
Summer Soldiers and Sunshine Patriots, When in the course of human events.... The Sort Ofs are Portland duo Chris Robley and John Stewart, augmented by a cast of method actors and showmen (Drew Norman, Rachel Taylor Brown, and Rob Stroup), bashing away at their unique breed of "agitprop-prog-POPulism for the individual".
1. exposed nerves
2. jagged shine
3. polished to perfection
Come check out LiveMusicPDX. com to find out about all the coolest local Portland bands playing in a venue near you and why whiskey makes Jake and Don the happiest.
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