Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Swift Tracks: Smooth Choppy and Kessler

By Brenna Rushing

Smooth Choppy is a must-hear group from Dallas who is known for their blend of rap and rock. Their name represents the journey of a band and how it can be smooth but also choppy at times. Their sound is more smooth than choppy.

They sound like a not-so-reggae Sublime blended with a toned down 311. It’s important to state the four songs I listened to on their Myspace made no mention of reefer unlike their influential bands stated above. Of course their sound is jovial, showing how happy and carefree these guys really are.

Unfortunately they only dress up for Halloween

“Start the Rhythm” is a great track whose origin is unknown. It may be from the album they are currently working on, Product and Pressure. It starts off with a quiet electric guitar piece leading right into Tim’s light-hearted words. The entire track isn’t bogged down with deep insight; it just gives you the desire to be outside on a summer day simply enjoying life.

Front man Tim and bassist Anthony have been playing together for almost eight years, which helped give the band a head start creating the right chemistry. SC has toured with Blue October and Bowling For Soup in the past years, hoping someday to be the headliner.

They currently don’t have any shows lined up, possibly because all of their time is going towards the album. The release date hasn’t been given for the album.

Kessler is a local rock band that recently signed with YMA Records. The group is made up of five guys who either have the long hair or layered rocker cut going. Their sound resembles a lot of rock bands out there, but their lyrics help them stand out.

Rebecca Clark

Kessler hangin with nature...?

“Bravo” is on their new album, I Know Your Voice, which came out on July 8. It’s an angry song describing a dilapidated relationship. The lyrics give the impression that “they” know the true side of the person and how bad that person is. The chorus may explain a little better, “All the fools rush in for your last performance. Everyone knows how you put on a good show.”

Even though Mike Mitchell’s voice sounds nothing like the Starting Line’s singer, their general sound and intentions parallel. They both include detailed descriptions of how they’re hurt or angry and unusual metaphors. It’s kind of like how one movie has a synopsis and a few years later a totally different cast makes a movie with the same synopsis.

Anyways, Kessler has a young sound telling me that I would see a bunch of kids in high school at their shows. This is not a bad thing, just thought I’d prepare you if you intend to go. They will be in Dallas at the Prophet Bar on August 21.

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• Pegasus News Week in View: Joys and Sorrows edition (Aug. 21, 2008)

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• Arts > Popular Music > Alternative / Indie
• Arts > Popular Music > Punk
• Arts > Popular Music > Rock