| swearing at motorists |
BANDLIVESTUDIOWEBSTORE |
november 19, 2002 - liverpool, england - barfly
excerpted from gigwise
In those dim and distant pre White Stripe days, the idea of a sparse electric guitar and drums combo was rarely attempted due to the obvious peril of incompetence's being ruthlessly exposed. But when you've got the White's, and now the supremely talented and soulful Dave Doughman on guitar and Joseph Siwinski on drums from Dayton, Ohio's Swearing at Motorists, musical shortcomings become an irrelevance. With the drums positioned strategically left of stage (the reason for this become apparent after the first song!), a looped riff more reminiscent of post rock titans God Speed! You Black Emperor gets things off to a stuttering start as Doughman gesticulates to the soundman. "Yes, please could the music be turned down and the set has started thank you very much."
Joined onstage by Siwinski - with a crate of beer available for all front stage - this low-key entrée is quickly revealed as a diverting smokescreen to the true nature of the SAM beast. Playing songs primarily from new offering This Flag Signals Goodbye, a rich and expansive trawl through American alt rock from Beck and The Eels through to Guided by Voices and The Replacements, SAM are truly a live experience to behold. Switching consummately from mournful, downbeat numbers to full on blues soaked Hendrix rock n' roll, a fired up version of "The Real Thing" being particularly fine, there's also a real on the edge of your seat performance with SAM and its livewire guitarist and lead vocalist in particular. If he's not lurching into the drum kit to ensure that riff meets drumbeat in perfect time, Doughman's scampering off to the bar to bring some stragglers back into the fold, over a stunning hour long set. Dynamic and innovative, SAM bring something both innovative and distinct to the table and deserve your attention.
--Mike Davidson
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