SonicViolence

sonic violence

I was recently turned onto SonicViolence (Not to be confused with the 80s, UK metal band, Sonic Violence). Imagine if Radiohead, Yo La Tengo, Do Make Say Think, and Camera Obscura went full moon canoeing on salvia. This was my initial reaction to, SonicViolence, who is but a ‘baby of a band’ with only slightly over a year out of the crib. “Grocery List (For a Week in Space),” SV’s newest track, in particular has a Radiohead resonance with its dream-like, meditations and fuzzy menacing.

SonicViolence is a springboard project from Oklahoma’s Leon Henry Manson. I see the sonic part, but don’t really hear the music as violent. There is a controlled abandoned in the song writing where one can tell that these cats take meticulous care into the execution of the recording, but seem experimental and almost ‘Bowiesque’ in their post production.

There are modes of orchestration from the above mentioned nod to Thom Yorke and friends to the psychedelic haze of, “One Day We Are All Going to Explode (and it will be beautiful).”

A wall of sound erupts from their guitars and shaggy vocals; many of the songs paint dreamy and melodic landscapes, at first slow and temperate before flooding the foreground with distortion, washing over it and dispensing a layer of ambient silt.

sonic violence2

 

SonicViolence is another A1 member of the burgeoning Oklahoma City music scene akin to brethren such as Evangelicals, and a ‘little known’ band called The Flaming Lips. SV are notorious for their ear-bleeding live performances. Mason encourages wearing ear plugs saying, “People are surprised at how loud we are.” Mason, captain of the five piece ship, hails from Chicago and who proclaims, J Mascis as his favorite guitar player (No wonder the audio assault.) One can stream the latest tracks by SonicViolence at their Bandcamp page. The Oklahoma shoegazers are also on Facebook and Twitter @SonicViolence

Shawn Mishak is frontman of Ohio-based Kid Tested, learn more about his band here.

4 comments for “SonicViolence

  1. Amanda
    December 13, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    *Leon Manson

    • Mart Kawaii
      December 15, 2013 at 3:26 am

      Amanda, I just fixed it. Sorry for the type-o.

  2. December 13, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    Good review, Shawn. I think you’ve described their sound as accurately as can be done with mere words.

    I can attest to the high volume level; I always wear earplugs to their shows. I have an interview & pics the band at my blog, if you are interested: http://mercury-photo.com/2013/09/26/sonicviolence-interview-gallery/

    • Shawn
      December 16, 2013 at 5:06 am

      Thank you Chris, and I will check this link out!

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