Source: SXSW 2006 (unfortunately I was only 'virtually' there)
From: San Francisco
Sounds Like: a lighter version of Jimmy Eat World, faster, more poppy Cake, Americanized Kaiser Chiefs, Presidents of the United States of America (the band), Ok Go
Check it out: legit site, myspace, amazon, iTunes
Two sets of brother-uncles and another brother make up a quintet of players that manages to rock and/or roll in every song. These guys rely on the usual guitar-dominated songs but keep things on the light, fun side. In their mid- to late-twenties, most of the songs center around the transition period into adulthood; but not in the angsty way lovers of indie rock have grown accustomed to (a la Death Cab) nor in the whiny, Devil-may-care way that Weezer kicked off. This is more of positive-outlook vent with a twist of humor struggling to keep afloat amidst reality. "Nickels and Dimes" starts the new album off inspired by the gap between the cost of living in the city and the income associated with most twenty-year olds.
SFL eschews the usual love/lovelost formulas and takes a chance talking about the reality of attractions. "Mama Your Boys Will Find a Home" regails the listener with an quick-moving recount of quick trysts and carefree dating, capturing the excitement of being in a transitive dating environment, free of the usual drama most artists prefer. In "Marsha," the lyrics balance the desire of finding that elusive 'one' with the worry of settling; while "Ghetto Ways" focuses on the pure physical attraction between a dancing couple:
"Before your kiss kissed my kiss,
You licked your lips,
As if I went find them deadly."
I'm clearly taken by how close-to-home some of the songs feel, but don't let me undersell the great use of vocal harmony and catchy rhythms that are the framework underlying 'Underhanded Romance.' "Next to Argyle" plays with rests and chorus sections to get you foottapping and then catching you offguard. SFL has learned to take things down and then toy around before building to a final climax (unlike Chris who only knows one speed, ZING!). Finally, "Lay Down Your Weapons" is a funny, jumping piece written from the point of an ex-con put away well before 9/11-derived airport restriction as he attempts to board his first flight.
And don't take my word for them: in 2007 Live 105 choose them as the 'unknown local band' to play on the mainstage of BFD festival along with Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, Interpol and Queens of the Stone Age.
Look for them at SXSW events all month in Austin, and then back to the West Coast for a while.
[This is Chris, butting in once again . . . I'm allowed to do it because I live in a city where bands actually come to play shows]
Scissors For Lefty came across the Bay a few weeks ago to play a free show on the campus of UC Berkeley, as is evident from the photo below that I took at said event.
It was a fun show, though I was a bit disappointed in the drummer--he was kinda lazy, and played some heavy floor tom part in the chorus of "Nickels and Dimes" instead of the sweet, driving ride cymbal riff from the album version. It was only noon, I suppose, and they had a show in Oakland that night. They reminded me a lot of Hot Hot Heat, or Franz Ferdinand with a little more rock and a little less glam (although the bassist's pink strings were classy).
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