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Gym
Class
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by C Jones
gym dandies
Gym Class brings
us a refreshing approach to electronic rock - a genre too often
limited by its "seriousness" and aristocratic experimental
tendecies. The Brooklyn based trio, instead, keeps the formula
easy and - what's more important - fun. And they get it so right
I almost can't believe it: there is a ton of attitude here, memorable
songs and guitar riffs, there's madness, playful creativity and
good performances. There is also a voice that fits the genre and
an obvious reference to the sound of some of the best the 80's
bands that is going to help these days.
A lot of people tend to forget that the music from the eighties
wasn't just about sulking… thanks for reminding us that synths
can be fun! Did you guys listen to a lot of Devo and Pere Ubu
in your teens?
DYLAN: I think there are more powers at work than those mentioned.
JAY: we're definitely influenced by other styles of music like
electro, hip-hop, dub, reggae, 80s dance, and krautrock. Collectively,
we cover all genres.
Why do you think anything from the eighties
was so super uncool until a couple of years ago and now it's like
that was the best music ever made?
DYLAN: I would never disown music from the eighties or any other
musical period for that matter. I think with everything if you
don't listen to it for years and let it build up…you'll eventually
realize it's fresh again and take pleasure in blowing the dust
off the record cover. But sometimes you do have to set things
down for a while once they get worn out. Overplayed songs disgust
me and so does payola. Should both be dumped into the river with
cement blocks.
I guess there must be a grunge revival behind
the corner…
JAY: I hope not. The 90s was a pretty embarrassing decade except
for hip-hop.
There you go! I remember people saying the same
thing about the 80s not long ago!
Your record sounds very well produced, elements
are in the right place and the songs develop smoothly.
JESSE: A guy named Fisher who was in a band called the InMen produced
it in his home studio, a place we like to call "The Chamber".
He is our sometimes fourth member. He's the '80s guy, and possibly
played a role in the '80s-ness your picking up.
DYLAN: He knew what we wanted and worked alone for hours to nail
it down. We're definitely going to be working with him again -
and soon - to work on a new EP.
Do you feel like you belong to a new scene in
NYC? If yes, which other artists you think belong to it?
DYLAN: The bands in any scene need to be strict, just like their
image and attire. I definitely feel a connection to bands like
KUDU and MAHI MAHI. I think it takes sniffing out the bands you
feel are kindred in some way and saying, "Hey you guys are
awesome… let's do it together sometime." That's the
way a scene starts…with collaboration…and most importantly
inspiration from that collaboration. But in the end everyone's
got to have their own direction in order to go where they want
to go, especially in this city.
JAY: That's our biggest problem, we don't belong to any scene
really. Bookers can't seem to put us on the right bills.
JESSE: I don't feel like part of a scene at all. There's so much
going on in New York and it's so spread out. You could have a
kindred spirit-type band who thinks, acts and looks like you and
not even find out about them.
This kind of music almost requires a pertinent
outfit and haircut. Have you ever thought about costumes a la
Devo for your performances?
JESSE: We coordinated outfits once. It's something we want to
do but the right idea hasn't struck us yet. In the meantime, Dylan
wearing crazy attire while Jay and I are the 'straight' guys behind
him works as a look for us.
DYLAN: We've been dying to come up with a solid visual concept
for ages. But nothing sticks. Our opinions don't often coincide
so we've kind of succumbed to the idea that each of us is basically
our own planet…
JAY: I do want to get a sick samurai sword for shows though. That'd
be pretty awesome.
Why are buzzy analog keyboards so cool? I mean,
that sound has been around for ages but it seems to get more and
more trendy every year…
JESSE: I think it's one of the ways for people who aren't really
good musicians to make things that sound a lot better than things
so-called good musicians can do. I think synths got revived when
hip-hop producers like Lil Jon and the Neptunes started using
them.
DYLAN: It's not the amount of buzz; it's what you do with it.
It's an instrumental pleasure that has ultimate staying power.
You really can't touch it or outdo it. It's its own thing.
Do you ever miss a real bass?
DYLAN: Bass is always real!
P.S. the band has a a remix 12" coming out
on Germany's Traum Schallplatten/MBF (www.traumschallplatten.de).
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