In the great D.I.Y. revival of the past few years, bands have tried to combat the apathy of major labels by taking matters into their own hands. Noble as this might be, in most cases it's the only option the band has to make some waves. Even if a band does get signed to a label, many are completely ignored or suffer malnutrition from the PR department. After all, how does a record corporation ("company" is just too benign a word, don't you think?) explain to its stockholders that it's investing in the long term success of an artist? These pencil pushers want to see black ink now, so it takes a lot of juice just to get something as logical as publicity and tour support when the band is out there hustling the new record.
Considering this usual M.O., imagine how shocked I was to hear that Virgin Records was sending a new powerpop band called Silver Jet out to do promotional concerts in several independent record stores, and - sit down - the product won't be out for another six weeks! That's right, the music is not on the radio, and the product is not in the stores - the band doesn't even have any CDs to sell to the people who come to these gigs! Inspiration, or sheer lunacy?
When I pulled my jaw off the floor I figured this demanded my attention, so I hustled down to the Record Archive, a cool record store and local landmark. One of only fourteen independent stores in the country lucky enough to get such a perk, they have a history of hosting and supporting great music of all types. A small crowd was gathered near the makeshift stage as the band kicked off the set with "The Crown", and soon even the casual shoppers were on hand to see what the buzz was about.
Silver Jet is a young three piece that snap out three minute rockers and ballads in classic pop tradition. No drum solos, not much lead guitar; just three musicians who can turn on a dime and propel songs of love, lust, angst and...implants? Yes, the first single ("Plastiqua") is about people who aren't very honest in more ways than one. (Lead singer Luke Tierney introduced this one: "This will be the first single from our new album...it's about penis enlargement...") The band's sense of humor is evident in its stage patter as well as its lyrics.
Besides Tierney on guitar and lead vocals there's bassist/vocalist Jeff Gross and Grant Conway on drums and vocals. The band had used a second guitar player in earlier days but realized that the stripped-down sound played better. Wise move. Most of the material from the upcoming Pull Me Up Drag Me Down is classic powerpop tempered with a fatter, more modern sound, and the energy comes across in the live setting as well.
The short set featured at least five songs that would sound great blasting from any radio right now. My choice for a single would be "Kid", a killer track whose raucous rhythm and Romantics-like refrain of "Hey! Hey! Hey!" stick in your head after one listen. Add to that the record's kickoff track "Master Plan", the politically incorrect "Free To Roam", and the autobiographical "Meant To Be". I'd also wager on "That Call", whose stop-start vocals and pulsating bass on the verses make it the logical stepson of The Cars' "Best Friend's Girl".
Tierney is an animated front man, and although the physical atmosphere didn't let Gross do much more than a Bill Wyman impression, they have fun up there. The songs are clever and chock full of hooks, and the vocals and harmonies are very strong. Listeners looking for comparisons would probably cite Material Issue or even a harder edged Knack. And although darker songs like "Know You" display a Nirvana influence, don't mix this witty band up with Silverchair, the grunge wanna-bes from Down Under - Silver Jet could never write a song as inept as "Drink".
The promotional tour caused them to miss the Poptopia Festival in their home base of Los Angeles, for which they would have been a natural fit, but the fun and challenge of getting the gospel spread far and wide seems to be appealing. Gross noted that if the band doesn't hook up as part of a major tour in the Spring they'll "probably go to Europe and tour some clubs over there. One way or another, we'll be playing". No doubt Virgin Records will use their considerable influence to make both scenarios happen.
Virgin obviously believes that they have a real player in the powerpop sweepstakes on their hands. I agree - Silver Jet is one to watch in 1997.
