| swearing at motorists |
BANDLIVESTUDIOWEBSTORE |
april 10, 2003 - bath, england - "purr" at moles club
excerpted from purr
Extensive touring of North America and Europe has earned them the reputation of being one of the most energetic and charismatic American bands around today, both on stage and on record. Dubbed a veritable "two-man Who" by more than one critic, this Dayton, Ohio twosome - fronted by singer/songwriter Dave Doughman and backed by drummer Joseph Siwinski - brings to mind Twin/Tone-era Replacements and early Elvis Costello for their ability to translate their legendarily venomous and soulful live show to record.
It's Doughman's ability to make the personal so universal that makes his songs feel so right in about every context. SAM are proving there's no novelty to a two-person band, a guitar/drum duo can rock with the same immediacy as a traditional 3-to-5-piece rock band with a full rhythm section.
SAM perform yearning pop songs that forge a common ground between Elvis Costello, the Buffalo Springfield, the Minutemen, Nick Drake and the Cars. A perfect combination of compact stadium rock sing-alongs and lucid love songs that portray a character at the mercy of his own destiny.
File Under: Stripped-down rock for the brokenhearted
Recommended If You Like: The White Stripes, Hayden, Sebadoh
"Their brilliant third album, This Flag Signals Goodbye (on ultra-cult label Secretly Canadian), is made up of bittersweet psych-pop snapshots of small town ennui, drunkenness and failed love, all crammed into two-minute power-pop anthems. It's great, and, with The White Stripes currently conquering the globe, Swearing At Motorists will soon be known as that other classic guitar-drum duo." - NME
"Underground Record of The Year." - MOJO on This Flag Signals Goodbye
"the most beautifully depressing melodies and soft guitars this side of Nick Drake and Red House Painters." - CMJ on The Fear of Low Flying Clouds
" The White Stripes have a 'clause in their contract' that says they won't play on a bill with any other duos... scared of The Motorists?" - DrownedInSound
"Dayton, Ohio's Swearing At Motorists is yet another angst-ridden, bedroom rock band, but, fortunately, its bedroom exudes a genuinely homey charm, rather than a contrived sense of intimacy. Guitarist Dave Doughman's passion and earnestness — not to mention his casual, yet melodically appealing vocals — elevate him to a cut above legions of similarly minded, post-GBV indie boys from Middle America. The Fear of Low Flying Clouds is a close, condensed view of Doughman and Thrasher's world. The vocals and instruments on this album are so analog-warm you might think the band is in the next room." - CMJ on The Fear of Low Flying Clouds
"The stunning centerpiece 'Telford to North Main' has the delicate opening and climactic finish of a classic Neil Young ballad...More Songs from the Mellow Struggle is an unexpectedly dense and melodic release." - All Music Guide on More Songs From The Mellow Struggle
"This Flag Signals Goodbye is an outstanding record. Accompanied by little more than his own acoustic and electric guitars and Joseph Siwinski's (ex-Trouble With Sweeney) drumming. Doughman has written 14 songs that alternate between quiet, almost haunting passages and periods of loud, boisterous rock that actually aren't too far removed from those of the White Stripes. It's clear that, despite the air of mystery surrounding him, Doughman is just like the rest of us - only he writes better songs than most." - CMJ on This Flag Signals Goodbye
"Have you witnessed a Swearing at Motorists live appearance yet? No, well you should because singer/guitarist Dave Doughman is ... well ... he's nuts is what he is! That's meant to be a compliment and an encouraging word to keep an eye out for Dave coming through your town." - Delusions Of Adequacy
"Classic, albeit more sedate, Motorists, as beautful and sullen as ever." - Hybrid on Along The Incline Plane
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