Chavez
NYC Indie Rockers By T. Cole RachelShort-lived but influential NYC guitar heroes.
Rising from the ashes of fairly obscure NYC rock bands Skunk, Live Skull, and Bullet LaVolta, Chavez set the bar high for just how dynamic guitar-driven indie rock could actually be. The band was essentially the brainchild of vocalist and guitarist Matt Sweeney (a staple of NYC’s downtown rock scene who has collaborated with everyone from Billy Corgan to Will Oldham), the band managed to channel everything from straightforward hardcore to introspective prog rock with equal aplomb. Known for a duel guitar attack from Sweeney and Clay Tarver, the band was known for being a ferociously loud live act. With only two proper releases to their credit—1995’s Gone Glimmering and 1996’s excellent Ride the Fader—the band’s career was a brief one. Still, songs like the epic “Unreal is Here” and early single “Repeat the Ending” planted a seed that would eventually sprout a million other smarty pants NYC bands who were eager to expand the definition of just what intelligent guitar rock should sound like.
-
Music Profile
Will Oldham Pioneering alt-folk singer/songwriter
By Jim AllenUnpredictable, wildly prolific alt-folkie
>> -
Music Profile
Guided By Voices Dayton's Finest
By Stewart MasonIndie rockers with stadium-size inspirations.
>> -
Music Review
For Your Own Special Sweetheart
JawboxBridging the gap between muscular noise of DC post-punk and… >>
-
Music Profile
Mogwai Glasgow's Loudest Band
By T. Cole RachelSimple, melancholic musical narratives that gradually build into epic cyclones… >>
