On March 10, Luther’s Blues will host the Madison stop on Paris, TX’s 2003 tour.
The band has been a staple of the Madison music scene since its formation in 1998. Starting inauspiciously enough as a project to keep roommates occupied, Paris, TX quickly landed its first show with fellow Madisonians Rainer Maria at the Whole Music Club in Minneapolis.
From there, things began to happen for Paris, TX. The group’s first demo tape was heard by Polyvinyl Records (Rainer Maria, Red Hot Valentines), and it quickly recorded a pair of seven-inch records and a self-titled EP. A full-length album, So You Think It’s Hot Down Here?, followed in 1999.
The most widely distributed of Paris, TX’s albums is 2000’s Brazilliant, which garnered critically polar reviews. Some bashed the band for lead singer Scott Sherpe’s oddly English-affected accent. Others called the band childish pop-punk wannabes.
Just as numerous were the positive reviews. Some critics loved the high-strung sound and mesh of pop and prog-rock elements, calling Paris, TX the best thing out of Madison since Rainer Maria.
Paris, TX should certainly appeal to those with a critical ear leaning toward noisy pop; the band gives credit to the Psychedelic Furs ever since opening its first show with “Pretty In Pink.”
Highly energetic, Paris, TX has a sound someplace between tourmates 12-Rods and Minnesota collective Manplanet — less experimental than the former and less formulaic than the latter. It is a sound that has served the group well in the half-decade since its formation.
Distorted guitars and raspy vocals bring to mind sunnier days than the blustery March in which Madison finds itself enamored. Sharpe sings with a purposeful sense of joy, lending his music an air of spontaneity despite its obviously painstakingly constructed form.
While many have noted Matt Tennessen’s role as bassist for Pele and the distinct difference between Pele and Paris, TX’s styles, his technique is fitting in Paris, TX and serves to advance the band’s cause. While the bass lines are more rudimentary, they give coherence to otherwise complex songs and are largely responsible for what many have called a pop-rock sound.
Regardless of its national reception, Paris, TX continues to attempt to rock Madison. Luther’s Blues should prove to be an ideal venue for the quintet, since it serves as a college-age showcase for both local and national bands.
Appearing with Paris, TX is Milwaukee upstart Since By Man. Since By Man recently released its first full-length LP, Ride the Body Electric, on Revelation Records.
Fresh from its European tour, Since By Man falls fairly far on the musical spectrum from Paris, TX. The band’s sound is more hardcore-punk oriented, citing influences like Cannibal Corpse and At the Drive In, yet still manages to retain a shred of melody, a trait uncommon among hardcore bands.
Also integrating itself into Since By Man’s sound are smatterings of spoken lyrics in between screams.
Guitars are distorted and tempos are upbeat, but that’s not to say Since By Man doesn’t do anything interesting. There’s a decent amount of variation within each song, and that serves to keep things interesting.
Third on the bill is Call Me Lightning, and the three bands should provide an entertaining and eclectic Monday evening for anyone willing to brave the bipolar Wisconsin weather.
Paris, TX, Since By Man, and Call Me Lightning play an 18-and-up show at Luther’s Blues Monday March 10 at 9:30 p.m. Doors open at 9 p.m., and tickets are $8 in advance, available at all Luther’s Blues ticket outlets. For more information, visit www.luthersblues.com.
