Three Imaginary Girls - Silversun Pickups

Silversun Pickups are coming to Seattle and we have a pair of tickets to giveaway

imaginary keenan — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:23:35 +0000

Silversun Pickups are coming to Seattle on July 31st to headline the Paramount! Tickets go on sale Friday, May 15th at 9am, but we have a pair to giveaway right now! Just e-mail tig@threeimaginarygirls.com with the subject like "iheartsilversun" before Thursday, May 14th at 9am and make sure to include your full name, especially if your e-mail address is something like pikul@silversunrules.com.

Capitol Hill Block Party 2007: Silversun Pickups

ChrisB — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 08:06:33 +0000

27 Jul 2007

CHBPSilversunPickups07jul.jpg

Nikki Monninger! Silversun Pickups! Nikki Monninger! Silversun Pickups! Yeah!

Okay, I heard that Ms. Monninger’s name is the most searched for on this fine website and I’m trying to shamelessly increase the hit count for this review. Consider her the Obama Girl of TIG, if you will.

The phenomenon of Silversun Pickups is fascinating. The band's rise has been meteoric, to say the least. Their influences are obvious: Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth are the first that come to my mind, yet they’re lower maintenance than the former and more accessible than the latter. I think that’s where their genius lies. Silversun Pickups can be enjoyed by both serious music listener (mostly because of their prog rock sensibilities) and the casual listener. That’s where I would fit in. I own a copy of the latest album, Carnavas, and gave it a few spins and admired it quite a bit, but never found the ambition to even upload it to my iPod.

Yet, judging by the band’s slot headlining the first night of the Capitol Hill Block Party and giant mass of humanity that was packed (and uncomfortably so) to watch them, I was in the minority. I was at the last Seattle show the LA-based band played, which was in April at Neumo’s. It was a set that I thoroughly enjoyed and remembered thinking that that was probably the last time I’d ever see Silversun Pickups in a club. Each song can feel both epic and intimate. I’m not sure how they manage that, but like that spring evening, the sound tonight filled out the entire area and made it seem that the outdoor air wasn’t big enough to contain it.

The band took the stage at 9:45, promptly, after a kind introduction by badass liberal King County Councilmember Dow Constantine, who seems to really make an effort to listen to the bands he’s introducing. The first big applause of the set came about a minute in to the first song, when Monninger played a brief solo on her bass guitar. SSPU fans are crazy for her. She seems to have replaced Meg White (who replaced Sonic Youth’s bassist Kim Gordon) as the ideal indie rock girlfriend of the moment. Monninger is passive and soft-spoken, a fine bassist who lets her talent speak for itself.

Unsurprisingly, though, the biggest applause came at 10:30 when the band broke into its recent hit “Lazy Eye.” Nearly everyone in the crowd (or at least those around me) were singing along and knew every word. Also not surprising: a significant exodus for the gates began towards the end of that song. The band ended up playing until exactly 10:45, after being on stage for exactly an hour, and playing almost exclusively songs from Carnavas.

They were brought back for an encore after a polite applause and played three songs, all of which they said were from its debut EP Pikul. No sooner do I write in my notepad that nearly every song the band played is a rock song and not a ballad, they close with a ballad. I believe the one my friend and colleague Betsy Boston referred to as “the song from Pikul that Nikki sings lead on (can't think of the name, too tired to look)”.

Same with me. It’s that one.

Actually, Monninger has a soft voice that makes for a nice contrast with lead singer Brian Aubert. It was a smart move to end with that song. Shortly after 11, the crowd was sedate, tired, and satisfied.

More Silversun Pickups photos (by Laura Musselman):

>> Read all Capitol Hill Block Party 2007 reviews on TIG

Their influences are obvious: Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth are the first that come to my mind; yet they’re lower maintenance than the former and more accessible than the latter.

Nikki Monninger, high five

imaginary ash — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:31:21 +0000

Nikki stuck around until every darn hand got slapped. Aren't they just the sweetest things?

As Seen On TV: PB & J, Bob Barker, Modest Mouse, M. Ward, Lily Allen, and more!

imaginary liz — Mon, 14 May 2007 18:40:24 +0000

Wow -- Wednesday night seems to be the big night for cool folks to appear on TV. I'm especially excited that Bob Barker is making an appearance. I wonder why he's kinda slumming it and not on Letterman or Leno? Is it a network thing?

As Seen On TV: Amy Sedaris, Modest Mouse, BRMC, Arctic Monkeys and more!

imaginary liz — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:51:19 +0000

For as many listings we've got this week, there's nothing I'm super excited about. Amy Sedaris is always a hoot (she and Letterman have quite the banter). Kaiser Chiefs are all over the place, and Alice Cooper chatting up Carson Daly (or vice versa) could be interesting.

Straight from the horse's mouth, Silversun Pickups to play FNX Best Music Poll in Boston

imaginary ash — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:04:08 +0000

Just got this on MySpace. SSPU = WOO! Some of the other bands (esp. Cinematics) = MOO.

Get yer Capitol Hill Block Party on

imaginary dana — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 22:53:18 +0000

Yo yo Seattle. Our town's hippest summer music festival has just announced a preliminary lineup and pre-sale tickets:

As Seen On TV: Lily Allen, Silversun Pickups, Ira Glass and Morrissey

imaginary liz — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:09:35 +0000

Here's some stuff worth setting the creaky VCRs for over the course of the next few days: Lily Allen, Silversun Pickups, Ira Glass and Morrissey.

As Seen on TV: LCD Soundsystem, The Shins, etc.

imaginary liz — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:35:27 +0000

In case The Shins or LCD Soundsystem are make your heart skip a beat, here's some stuff worth setting the creaky VCRs for over the course of the next few days.

Our Imaginary Editor Picks: Best of 2006

three imaginary girls — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:00:00 +0000

I'm so proud of the Pacific Northwest music scene, as she has given us some of the best records released anywhere (although Suburban Kids, Art Brut, Manhattan Love Suicides, and Graham Coxon — I love you like a sister). If I may have a moment, may I publicly declare love for my favorite releases of the year?

I'd like to see anyone even try to stop an imaginary girl mid-gush....

(clears throat) Math and Physics Club, how I adore your heart-melting lyrics and wispy guitar noodles. BOAT, you took lo-fi up a notch with smart songs about parts of speech and addictive melodies (you really deserve your #1 crown). Thermals, dear Thermals. At first I questioned your whole "World being taken over by Christian Fascist" theme, but being the committed Hutch-ite that I am, I listened over and over and became hooked on TBTBTM. Or was it the fact that one of the lines orders folks to strip down to their underwear? Either way, now I LOVE the anti-Christian Fascist Thermals. The Trucks, you gave us all a theme song and a reason to dress up. Eux Autres, although I still have trouble pronouncing your name, I thank you for your nonchalant elegance and understated coolness. Your brother-sister-duo-ness gives me hope that the White Stripes aren't the end of the line. Although I do love me some Jack and Meg, your rhythm section is stronger and your fashion-sense equally scalable to the masses. I thank you for that. I look horrible in white and red. Patience Please, although you are the only EP on the list, you have earned your placement with your spastic indie-pop licks and slight naiveté. I hear you have a full-length planned in 2007? Oh, 2007... you have a lot to live up to!

Um, Liz, I thought you were just going to give us your list...?

Oh yeah, my list! Phew. Here's my list...

Math and Physics Club, Math and Physics Club (Matinee)

BOAT, Songs That you Might Not Like (Magic Marker)

Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, #3 (Minty Fresh)

The Thermals, The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Sub Pop)

Art Brut, Bang Bang Rock And Roll (Downtown)

The Trucks, The Trucks (Click-Pop)

The Manhattan Love Suicides, The Manhattan Love Suicides (Magic Marker)

Graham Coxon, Love Travels At Illegal Speeds (Parlophone)

Eux Autres, Hell Is Eux Autres (Grenadine)

Patience Please, Parallel Plots (Jigsaw)

Goddamnit, how did I forget Art Brut in my list?? Ack! Ahh well, I'm still in love with Emily Kane, and here's my list...

Figurines, Skeletons (The Control Group)

The Knife, Deep Cuts (Rabid Records)

Heartless Bastards, All This Time (Fat Possum)

The Long Winters, Putting the Days to Bed (Barsuk)

Math and Physics Club, Math and Physics Club (Matinee)

The Trucks, The Trucks (Click-Pop)

The Rakes, Capture/Release (V2)

Band of Horses, Everything All of the Time (Sub Pop)

Heather Duby, Heather Duby (Sonic Boom Recordings)

The Doll Test, Gasoline and Banks (Unsmashable)

My list is in no particular order. If you're one of those people who longs for order, well... email me and I'll whip something up. Otherwise, behold my faves of 2006:

The Grates, Gravity Won't Get you High (Cherry Tree)

Joseph Arthur, Nuclear Daydream (Megaforce)

The Decemberists, The Crane Wife (Capitol)

Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere (Downtown)

The Gossip, Standing In the Way of Control (Kill Rock Stars)

Regina Spektor, Begin To Hope (Sire)

Lily Allen, Alright, Still (Capitol)

Justin Timberlake, FutureSex / LoveSounds (Jive)

Psapp, The Only Thing I Ever Wanted (Domino)

Silversun Pickups, Carnavas (Dangerbird)

But don't just take our word for it. See what our readers had to say by reading the results of the Best Northwest Releases of 2006 Readers' Poll {they're way smarter than we are anyways}.

I'm so proud of the Pacific Northwest music scene, as she has given us some of the best records released anywhere (although Suburban Kids, Art Brut, Manhattan Love Suicides, and Graham Coxon — I love you like a sister).

Carnavas

Erik Gonzalez — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 07:00:00 +0000

6.3

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000FUF86Q/wwwthreeimagi-20

silversunpickups06oct.jpg

Sometimes familiarity is a good thing. It can make you feel more comfortable when presented with a new and exotic situation, allowing you to be yourself. However, most people recognize the saying "familiarity breeds contempt," and that may be the Achilles' Heel of the Silversun Pickups' debut Carnavas. It sounds so much like so many other bands from the mid-1990's, ranging from Smashing Pumpkins, Catherine Wheel, Lush and other fuzzed-out alternative rock bands from the hey-day of the guitar that you almost feel like you've heard the album before you've, well, heard the album. That is not to say that it is unpleasant to listen to, in fact that sonic textures that the Silversun Pickups create show a lot of potential for the Los Angeles band, but they might try to wander out of the shadow of their predecessors before that can really make a name for themselves.

Maybe the point where the Silversun Pickups went wrong was choosing a producer that also brought us albums by, well, Smash Mouth. Possibly finding a producer that might push the envelope a little more could have helped the Silversun Pickups reach their potential, but who knows? I mean, if Kennedy didn't choose LBJ as his VP, maybe he wouldn't have been shot on Texas. Who knows. Anyway, maybe the Pickups and I got off on the wrong foot. I digress. Carnavas opens with "Melatonin," a song that starts with a very Adore-era Smashing Pumpkins riff to the point you think you might be hearing Billy Corgan's vocals kick instead Brian Aubert's. The fuzzed out guitars and random vocal howls seem all well and good, but you can't shake the feeling you've heard this before. The same might be said for "Well Thought Out Twinkle," except flash yourself back to Gish. Luckily, "Checkered Floor has more of its own personality. The song is more restrained until the distortion-rich chorus kicks in with a shoegazer feel without copping the feel totally from a specific band. To a lesser extent "Future Foe Scenarios" and "Waste It On" follow this formula, but it has a little too much of a Bush feel to the song structure. "Dream at Tempo 119" is similar but seems to be able to stand on its own feet more effectively.

One of the real gems on Carnavas is "Lazy Eye", which first appearing on the Pikul EP. The song builds into a distorted frenzy slowly as the guitar, bass and drums twirl towards the howled chorus mid-way through the song. The song doesn't borrow as much other tracks on the album, and is likely the best representative of the real promise that the Silversun Pickups possess. They can be both delicate and ferocious in a 6 minute package and it is in their moments that they can be truly captivating. "Three Seed" is another song that captures more of the mellow side of the Silversun Pickups, with the guitars drifting across the low, rumbling basslines. The closing song, "Common Reactor" returns to the Smashing Pumpkins influenced sound, but has a lighter feel than their alt-rock ancestors, allowing for a little less musical de ja vu.

Carnavas is not a bad album. In fact, for someone who is less intimately familiar with 90's alternative rock, it could be a downright great album. However, for those of us who spent a little too much time listening to WFNX or WEQX (yes, New England!), Carnavas is a little to eerily familiar sounding for its own good. It does have its moments where you feel the band is beginning to break out, but they are a little few and far between on their debut. Carnavas might not be the most innovative album of the year, but it at least leaves us with glimpse into what could be a respectable future for the Silversun Pickups.

Carnavas might not be the most innovative album of the year, but it at least leaves us with glimpse into what could be a respectable future for the Silversun Pickups.

Nikki Monninger of Silversun Pickups

renata sadunas — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 08:00:00 +0000

Around the last time Silversun Pickups were in Seattle, our staffer, La Imaginary Renata exchanged words with SSPU bass player Nikki Monninger. More than just a fan, La Imaginary Renata was able to get the inside scoop as she and Nikki were grammer school pals. Who would have known Seattle would be the locale for these two sweet and hottie SoCal ladies would meet catch up?

TIG: How did you all meet? I understand SSPUs started as kind of a joke?

SSPU: I met Brian (Aubert) on a plane to England around ten years ago. We met Joe (Lester) and Chris (Guanlao) about seven or eight years ago but it was a while before we started playing music together. Everything just kind of came together organically. I never thought of us as a joke, but I think it's cute that Brian does.

TIG: You've toured with some great musicians. Elliot Smith and Rilo Kiley and Autolux to name a few. Any good stories from the road?

SSPU: Hmmm. . .I can't think of any offhand. Autolux is one of my favorite local bands... and they are very sweet people. I used to have a crush on Eugene when I was in highschool.

TIG: How would you describe the sound of Silversun Pickups, for someone who hasn't heard one of your songs?

SSPU: Brian says something about us getting loud and quiet and ugly and pretty and I agree with him on that.

TIG: Are you surprised at your band's success?

SSPU: Hmmm... well, I still have my day job.

TIG: Where have audiences been most receptive to your music - outside of your home base, LA?

SSPU: So far, definately Seattle. . . KEXP has helped us out so much. we recently played at the crocodile and it felt like a homecoming, although it was the first time we had actually played there. We've also had some good shows in NYC.

TIG: What are you listening to these days? What's your favorite 2005 release (and you can't say Silversun Pickups)?

SSPU: Pretty much for the past month I've been listening to SSPU day in and day out... we're in the middle of recording... when I come home at night I enjoy the sounds of my space heater and of our cat Cauliflower snoring. I did have high hopes for the sun kil moon album of Modest Mouse covers, but unfortunately I was disappointed. What makes Modest Mouse great is that they work so well together as a band... and that's pretty much impossible to translate.

TIG: Thanks, Nikki! Oh and last question...when do you expect your full length album to come out?

SSPU: It depends when we are finished recording, but hopefully April 2006.

Silversun Pickups photos by Philip Petrilli

silversunpickups06jan01.jpg

Brian says something about us getting loud and quiet and ugly and pretty and I agree with him on that.

Pikul

Joseph Riippi — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 08:00:00 +0000

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009WFEF0/wwwthreeimagi-20

silversunpickupspikul06jan.jpg

First things first, a helpful hint for all those reading this aloud to themselves: Pikul is pronounced Pie-Kull. It doesn't rhyme with "tickle" but it does rhyme with "cycle."

Silversun Pickups are an up-and-coming-fast indie group with a sound both gamut-running and competent in its performance. Their music is at times as easy-flowing and melody-centric that an Avril Lavigne analogy is as possible as it is unexpected.

The all-over-the-place quality of the record is most likely due to the record's being a collage of various sessions from over the past years. The inside cover gives four different years of copyrights. 2002-5. Given this, the record is remarkably well pieced together in terms of sound quality; none of the tracks seems less or more produced than another, a trait of compiled records as annoying as the mispronunciation of the record's name. (PIE-KULL!)

Opening track "Kissing Families" is easily the best track on the record. From the driving 4/4 beat that seems to be the foundation of every track on the record to screaming, androgynous vocal lines, "Well sure as shit I made a mistake/ kept looking forward I bounced sideways." The track succeeds in a way that supersedes any misgivings about the band that later tracks may conjure.

A track or two later and the Pickups have their droning, early-Smashing Pumpkins fuzz distortion seep into their ears and through to their moods. Tool or Nine Inch Nails are the easiest jumping-off points from which to make a description, and indeed if it weren't for the pop sensibility of the first two tracks ("Kissing Families" and "Comeback Kid") the record would seem much more introspective and brooding. Think if Trent Reznor spent more time in a surf shop, and you'll be on the right track.

In the songs "Booksmart Devil" and "The Fuzz," the tempo exits and the thinking begins. A hypothetical audience stops tapping their feet and either exits to get a stronger drink or begins swaying back and forth, eyes half open or half shut, depending on which way makes it seem more pessimistic. Neither of these tracks is suited for an individual's listening pleasure, however as music to "chill to" (as the kids say) it would be a pleasurable "chill out" time.

"Creation Lake" and "...all the go in betweens" end the record. The former brings a Nico-like female vocal line to the front, backed by a lovely and clean electric guitar that is joined, as expected, with various string-type keys, soft drums and keys. It is beautiful yet lacking any suspense or surprise. The latter track is somewhat more formative than the last, but seem to be from the same creative space as the last. A mellower, less punkish version of the Silversun Pickups than we are given on "Kissing Families."

Overall, the record possesses a quality of talent and potential that should have anyone watching out for a Silversun Pickups full-length or live date. It's a subtle rock and roll EP with gargantuan potential written all over it; they give us the highlights of four years' progression and maturation.

It's a subtle rock and roll EP with gargantuan potential written all over it; they give us the highlights of four years' progression and maturation.

Connected and Beautiful: Silversun Pickups and Brendan Benson

three imaginary girls — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:00:00 +0000

8 Nov 2005

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Every birthday I make a trip to the record store and allow myself to fill my arms with treats without feeling guilty, because it's my special day. This year the Silversun Pickup's EP Pikul was my first pick. I had "Kissing Families" on repeat (on my CD player and in my head) for weeks after my impulse purchase. I love the fancy guitar work and the catchy boy/girl singing banter.

Live they sound just as tight as they do on their EP. Coupled with their witty slightly-drunken stage chatter, there was no better place to be on a Tuesday night than the Crocodile.

The power of KEXP is amazing. "Kissing Families" has gotten consistent airplay on the station, as well as placement on a KEXP podcast, so I suspected there'd be a lot of Morning Faithful folks present. But the room was packed, and on a Tuesday no less. Incredible. Speaking of incredible, there's something a bit above and beyond the ordinary with the song "Kissing Families." It reminds me of when I first heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" years ago. At the time, I didn't know I was hearing a revolution. I'm reluctant to make the comparison, but the song reminds me of Nirvana — or specifically, of "Smells Like Teen Spirit." I hear it in the musical transitions, the release of screaming climax, the gravely disquiet of the vocals, and the relentless glue of the thudding bass... but mostly, I hear it in the way the song has grabbed so much collective attention. But maybe I'm just crazy...

Comparison's the Pixies are inevitable and I'm sure have been made (what with the female bass player / backup vocalist), and during the more powerful instrumentals, I thought Kinski was a likely target for comparison too.

They also had a great sense of humor. "Whiskey. It's the Devil's Chocolate. We have it in LA but we're not sure if you have it up here," quipped front man Brian Aubert. Out-of-town jokes notwithstanding, Silversun Pickups feel like a local band. They look and sound very Seattle, and with all the KEXP love they've been getting and their huge Seattle reception, I bet the show felt like a sort of homecoming for them. Minus the pep-rally. This is Seattle, after all.

Following Silversun Pickups on this two-band bill (which was nice on a school night) was Brendan Benson. The near decade of being in the music industry and hanging out in smoky bars has weathered Brendan, but he creates surprisingly melodic, fresh, bright tunes with thoughtful, clever — albeit sometimes melancholic — lyrics layered with sugar sweet harmonies create a thick sound that translates surprisingly well on stage.

Not to mention Brendan is a fellow Michigander (I know, it's hard to hear my accent in type) and lives a few streets over from Jack White in Detroit. In fact, they're working on an album together under the moniker the Raconteurs (French for "skilled teller of anecdotes") with a tentative release date of early next year. Allegedly, people who have heard the soon-to-be infamous release have coined it "Detroit's answer to Nevermind." It will be interesting to hear Brendan's sugar-pop mixed together with Jack's dirty minimalist garage rock.

Wow Char, I did not know that. Maybe my whole Nirvana ramble for Silversun Pickups was just me picking up psychic audio vibes from the upcoming Raconteurs record.... erm, or something.

I've been a fan of Brendan Benson since 1996's One Mississippi, though I swear I misspell the band name every time I type it, even after nine years of fandom (Brandon Benson? Branden Bensen? An editor's nightmare). They put the power back into powerpop. Watching him/them perform live, I thought that Brendan's sinewy neck looks like a magical implement, and the spot-on glorious sounds emitting from said thyroid only substantiated my theory. With his wiry arms with body-builder like forearm and fingers (all the better to rip that guitar with, m'dear), the man is like an Olympian of music, a pop warrior, a melodic crusader.

Isn't it time to get yourself to a show?

Whiskey. It's the Devil's Chocolate. We have it in LA but we're not sure if you have it up here.