Adam Lipper
2. 29. 08
It’s hard to be critical of a band that gives itself a scathing review moments after stepping onstage. Being the band’s second live performance, lead vocalist and bassist Chris Seibert gave a brief biography of the Athens’ trio - “We’re Some Trendy New Atrocity, a Primus cover band, and we suck.”
The 30-person audience at The Library on Tuesday responded with hoopla and a few jeers – “Yeah, Primus sucks.” It was a two-line conversation that repeated itself throughout the nine-set, forty-minute show. If there’s this much accord between band and audience, how much light can a critic shine on the situation?
Yet, shortly into the opening song, “Seas of Cheese,” which includes the line for the tribute band’s name, it’s evident that Seibert misspoke. They do not suck. They captured the true tone of Primus, nailing the Californian band’s metal-energy rifts, fluctuating volume levels and quirky edge.
This was in large part to Seibert, who outshined the other two members. Besides handling the difficult bass solos, Seibert delivered the lyrics in quick machinegun-like bursts. Although often indecipherable to anyone not a Primus enthusiast, the spoken words added an extra-dose of rhythm to the songs.
While it’s usually the drummer who paces the band, Seibert’s enthusiasm and talent kept the group afloat. Drummer Tony Ulbrandt played in a malaise, looking bored at times. The major shortcoming was guitarist Hal Gruetzemacher, who struggled to keep up with his more-established partners. His eyes meticulously followed his hands every movement, making sure not to strike a wrong chord, while sacrificing any onstage showmanship.
Seibert and Ulbrandt’s old heavy-metal band Aegis of Athena , formerly known as Tristan and Isolde, played its final show last semester. In order to stay active in the Athens music scene, the duo created Some Trendy New Atrocity, adding Gruetzemacher to complete the band.
Yet, after witnessing their second show, it’s apparent that there’s more to the group’s creation than just staying active. This was about taking a break from socializing to play a few songs for friends and family (Seibert’s mom watched from the bar).
Before the eighth track, two members from the audience thanked Seibert by offering him a taste of Jäger. Seibert downed the shot with the two fans and screamed out to the crowd, “And it’s now officially a big rock show.”
For the second time that night, Seibert misspoke.
Some Trendy New Atrocity isn’t great music; it’s not even consistently good music. But it adds substance to a Tuesday night, not just for the audience, but for the band members as well. Acts like these keep the Athens music scene alive.
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