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In our modern musical epoch, the authority of MTV exerts a seemingly
unshakable influence on popular taste and the landscape of commercial
radio follows a predictable and uniform pattern almost everywhere
in the nation. Indeed, even the most loyal consumer of the Top 40
reality would be hard-pressed to deny the element of conformity that
marks the contemporary music scene.
This element includes a broad lean toward a musical common denominator
in the industry, toward an oversimplification and marketability of
artists, and finally, toward an image-driven cult of personality where
the quality of the music is secondary. What’s more, this most
pernicious aspect affects not only the cities of Los Angeles and New
York, but impacts our very own Mile-High music scene as well.
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photo courtesy of Winston Smith
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| Bass player Sean Bennet plays during recording
sessions for Winston Smith’s album. |
For example, voices of local artists struggling to be heard in the
dingy dens and poorly-miked bars of Denver are drowned out by the
corporately-funded act appearing at a converted Invesco Field or playing
in a sold-out Pepsi Center. In the end, the wealthy promoters and
artists garner more hundred-dollar bills with which to light their
stogies while the local artists remain unknown and starving. What’s
more, the hapless concert-goers stay mired in a bland, corporately
sanctioned musical universe where live music exists primarily as a
singing commercial for a new album.
So, what is the remedy for this saddening state of affairs? The answer
is Denver-based band Winston Smith.
The four-member ensemble, named after the Orwellian protagonist who
fought against totalitarianism in the seminal novel 1984, has waged
a similar struggle against an imported and bland Denver music scene.
As the musicians themselves will explain, one of Winston Smith’s
main goals is to create a network of local bands as an alternative
to the mainstream musical menu.
On a recent Saturday evening in the confined and smoky atmosphere
of the 15th Street Tavern, I was able to witness firsthand this intermingling
of homegrown musical acts as Winston Smith appeared alongside two
other local bands, the Penelope Project and the Compulsions.
The three mainstay members of the group, Gabe Claeson, Ryan Countryman,
and Bill Danio, discussed the importance of creating a locally vibrant
and connected matrix of musicians.
“What we’re trying to aim for is loosely organizing (local)
bands that we play with,” said Countryman, “We’re
just trying to create a scene of bands.”
Citing such bands as Nirvana, Pavement, and the Beatles as their
primary influences and specializing in an “energetic rock n’
roll,” the musicians of Winston Smith see their strengths in
their song writing abilities and the independent skill of each individual
member.
“We’re missing a member tonight, but we’ll have
no problems filling out our set,” said Claeson, “We’ve
each got enough songs to supply a whole band.”
The ambiance of the show, though cramped and humble, had its own
down-to-earth charm and the musicians that milled together about the
stage portrayed an everyman appeal, a decidedly non-industry image
that provided a refreshing relief from your average artificial and
glitzy pop star.
As for the music itself, it was what one would expect from your local
bar band. Winston Smith definitely had its musical moments as did
the Compulsions and the Penelope Project. All three Denver based bands
took some interesting rhythmic risks in their syncopation, provided
a competent musical savoir-faire, and all three bands inspired an
enthused response from the audience.
The musical edges, however, remained somewhat frayed. The bands retained
an innately garage spirit, and often, the lyrics tended more towards
the prosaic than the poetic.
Yet, such elements are what create the bar band charm, and such unpolished
personality is how Winston Smith, like their Orwellian literary counterpart,
combats the totalitarianism of the recognized touring heavyweights.
As I stood in the audience among locals, listening to music performed
by locals, I couldn’t help but appreciate the gesture.
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