MP3 Reloaded - ROCK: Hard Rock

This catchy 4 piece prog fusion group brings a unique flavor to the hard rock experience without conforming to any single genre.

5 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Hard Rock, METAL/PUNK: Alternative Metal



Details:
Few bands are more aptly named than the Passive Aggressives. The term itself describes aggression expressed in passive ways, and in many respects, that's how the band reaches their sound. Melodic sounds draw the listener in, a voice coos and then the hammer comes down. It's a sound not easily defined (another passive aggressive move); maybe it can be called "libido rock" or another term never heard before - but the Bay Area based quartet's debut, self-titled EP is like nothing currently out there -- and they want you to know it.

Consisting of Keren Gaiser on vocals, Jose Santiago on guitar, Damian Lynch on bass and Tim Dayner on drums, the Passive Aggressives may be rooted in styles both past (Veruca Salt/Primus) and present (Mars Volta/Audioslave), but the way they came together is pure internet-era -- through an ad on Craigslist. Jose, Damian and Tim had been in the band Feral Moan, a Bay Area favorite for four years, but in meeting Keren online, they found the final piece needed to create a sound all their own.

Recorded at San Francisco's Hyde Street Studios, the EP features the tense and ominous bass line and spooky laughter of "Evil Clown," fitting for a song dealing with the bad dream that our administration has become. "It is about our current administration," says Damian, "But it's even more about dissatisfaction with the two party system in general." Casino, is perhaps the most groove based of the tracks, as Damian's bass and Tim's drums find an irresistible pocket that does as much to convey the allure of gambling (Texas Hold Em', to be specific) as Keren's vocals. And written as a fictional first person account of prostitution, "Tool Shed" reverses the traditional imagery of the john wielding the power to show that perhaps, it's really the prostitute who is in control of the situation. It's another Passive Aggressive move; the lyrics are designed to exist on more than one level and to be a puzzle whose meanings continually shift with subsequent listens, never fixating on one thing exclusively and never being able to be pinned down definitively.

While the lyrics may never be pinned down, it is the Passive Aggressives' virtuosic playing that announces itself immediately to each listener. The rhythm section of Damian and Tim both simultaneously steadies and fuels the band so that Jose can add both melodic and explosive playing and that Keren has a foundation to, as Jose says, "Tear the roof off of the building."

With their debut EP in currently getting airplay on college radio stations across the US, the Passive Aggressives are ready to gain an audience the old-fashioned way; face to face and show by show, overwhelming audiences with their fun, adrenaline fueled live show. They have "reloaded" their EP adding Keren Gaiser's vocals to their debut EP. Debut EP re-released and with a tour of Northern California behind them, the band is ready to hit the entire West Coast in March, South-West in July, So Cal in August and the recording studio for a planned full length this summer, showing all who see them that the promise held in their songs is ready to be fulfilled.

KRUD radio Review:
After seeing the title of this post, you might have thought that you were going to be reading about some sort collaborative project between Primus and Veruca Salt. That would be really cool, but you're getting something that's just as good and with just as hard a rock 'n roll punch: The Passive Aggressives. Plus, it's something new and unique, despite the similarities to the previously mentioned bands, which makes the music all that more interesting to listen to.

When you listen to bass-laden, crunch fests such as "Tool Shed" and "Evil Clown" on full blast, it's not that different an experience from standing next to a rumbling volcano that's getting ready to spew hot, crimson lava all over some poor, unsuspecting villagers. Let's just hope that doesn't actually happen at their concerts. Audiences tend not to appreciate being covered in molten lava.

But as I was saying, "Tool Shed" and "Evil Clown" are good songs filled with (passive) aggressive alt rock rhythms. The bass line in "Tool Shed" is especially reminiscent of Les Claypool's style, which is always nice to hear. The other thing that really struck me about "Tool Shed" is the chorus. When I first heard the chorus and the male vocalist came in and started singing, I couldn't tell what the hell he was saying. It sounded like he was speaking a foreign language, like Spanish or something, but it still sounded really cool within the context of the song. After listening to the song a second time, I realized that the male vocalist was saying, "Back by the tool shed," but it still sounded weird and foreign despite the fact that it was English. Now for some reason, I just think that's awesome. I think I just like the idea that the singing became so much a part of the frenzied pace of the song that it seemed like the words were starting to get lost in the furor, but the raw emotion and the meaning behind the music still remained.

Compared to "Tool Shed," "Evil Clown" takes it down a notch, but is still a fiery sonic assault, no doubt. And despite the fact that "Evil Clown" doesn't feel quite as fast paced as "Tool Shed" it seems to have a more maniacal delivery, which makes for an interesting listen. In fact, if you've ever seen the movie Killer Klowns from Outer Space, a "classic" B-movie, then I can picture a music video with clips from that movie set to "Evil Clown." There's a worthwhile project for anyone with some free time and a little video editing know-how.

But these two songs are just a taste of the quality stuff you can find by the Passive Aggressives. If I were you I would keep and eye out for future releases from this band. But for now you can buy The Passive Aggressives EP at CD Baby or iTunes. And if you're in or near the San Francisco area, you can see them at The Knockout on Friday, March 30.

The Passive Aggressives Review
Smother Magazine
Hating on the Bush administration and Republicans in general is quite in vogue now. So Evil Clown isnt a real surprise lyrically, especially from a band from the lefty San Francisco Bay Area. But this funky quartet bounces and weaves from cliches with their bass-laden alternative rock sound. You can tell this is one helluva good live band as their songs just jump right out of this album. The group isnt putting up a facade, this is the real deal and I love it.

- J-Sin

The Passive Aggressives Review
Zero Magazine
The Passive Aggressives are really fun sounding band indicative of the avante guarde alternative funk/rock/metal scene of the late 80's/early 90's. What really stands out for me is the musicianship between the bass player, the guitar player, and drummer. The addition of a soothingly gritty female vocalist adds more power to the bands very mature sound. I found myself particularly enjoying the second track "Tool Shed," which ultimately reminded me of Primus with a twist of Prong. All in all, the Passive Aggressives were not exactly what I was expecting, however, I found myself very much enjoying the originality and authenticity of this very catchy band. So if you happen to see them on a bill anytime soon, stop and give them some love and ask them for a copy of this demo, you won't be disappointed.

- Josh Joesten

Website
http://www.thepassiveaggressives.com