The Vandelles

Saturated fuzz guitars with a kind of dirty garage rock. Even better than A Place To Bury Strangers!

AT 6:39 PM

It's a very active music scene is New York these days. Going to see one band frequently leads you to the music of another. Most nights out feature at least 3 bands on any one showcase. As a result of this, I have been fortunate to discover new and emerging artists though their friendships and professional relationships with musicians I was already a fan of. Such is the case with The Vandelles.

As it turns out, I was already familiar with The Vandelles frontman and primary force - guitarist and lead vocalist Jason Schwartz (orJasno Suarez as he is sometimes amusingly known as). Jason and I were somewhat friendly way back in the early part of this decade - when we used to attend Ravonettes shows together around the New York area - and converse a bit via message forums relating to that band. Then we sort of lost touch (as these things frequently happen). It's nobody's fault, but just the result of our busy lives as we attempt to move forward and make progress while attempting to figure this whole thing out.

Bassist/vocalist Lisha the Viper

Jump ahead to the CMJ fest of October 2009. I have been very much into that little ol' band from Texas (no, not ZZ Top) but Ringo Deathstarr for a while now. They are playing shows in New York and I plan on attending, if not all, then certainly most of them. Their first show in New York that week was at Fontana's on the Lower East Side. DJing that night's festivities is the Vandelles other guitaristChristo Buffam. It turns out the Vandelles and Ringo Deathstarr have a mutual professional relationship and friendship. I meet various members of RD and Christo as well. I tell him that I "used to know Jason" and make a point to get in touch. Three days later I catch The Vandelles for the first time at an "anti CMJ" party being held at theBrooklyn venue Lake Johnson. Jason and I reconnect and I'm duly impressed with the quality of The Vandelles music as well as their visual presentation. By "visual presention" of course I mean there are also two cute girls in the band.

Sonic annihilator Christo Buffam

I would not be able to attend another Vandelles show until January 22, 2010 at The Mercury Lounge. In between the two live shows I was fortunate to be sent an advance mp3 audio copy of their soon to be released full length album. Listening to what Jason and his musical associates have created has been a thoroughly rewarding experience. The sound quality and overall direction is some of the best stuff I've heard in years. It contains so many of the elements of music that I truly love, and I'd be shocked that upon release, this album didn't catapult The Vandelles to the same level as say as band like A Place To Bury Strangers currently resides on.

Drummer Suzanne ("Honey") P.

So, what about their live show at the Mercury Lounge?

The band opened with the almost poppy “Get Down”. Here in the live environment it’s the opposite of most bands. That is, the vocals are much clearer than what is on the recorded output. Well, at least what I have heard. I’ve been told that some of the advance tracks sent to media types contain “demo” vocals. That perhaps the vocals will be clearer once the final product has been released? I’m not so sure it matters to me, really as I’ve always been a big fan of the “buried” vocal. Whether it be My Bloody Valentine and The Cocteau Twins in the early 90’s or a current band like The Depreciation Guild. However that develops for The Vandelles ulimate recorded release, this live version of “Get Down” is a bass heavy fuzz-fest with frontman Jason telling a tale conversational style on the verses, with bassist Lisha “the Viper” providing essential background harmonies on the bridge.

Check out that performance here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4gyX7cTRCs

With the crowd fully pumped from the outset, the band then launched into “Fever of the Beat.” The songs angular, choppy rhythm with aggressive drumming from Honey Sue then gives way to a smooth verse section. Jason delivers the vocals just to get it to the great bass riff – and then back to bashing drums with -Christo’s sinuey guitar-line running underneath it all. Clocking in at a mere 2 minutes in length, there isn’t a wasted moment, as the band gets in and back out again, with a loose precision.

Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R765imX-Tvk

Next up was the band's first ever live performance of the song "Going Downtown," and they pulled it off with confidence. The song itself drives off a heavy riff with syncopated percussion that is soon followed by buzzsaw guitar chords. A verse is sung then a sonic squall of noise shatters the air - and then back into that downbeat riff. The Vandelles two pretty females comprising the rhythm section are a powerful force of smash and rumble. Jason and Christo play hellacious noise guitar over top and somehow it all fits perfectly together.

Have a listen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSxWx5hFves

After an equally compelling version of "Bomb The Surf," the band launched into one of my person faves in "California Killer." A song all about the good times of "crusing down the highway" and "trying to find another way to get my kicks," the lovely rhythm section rumbles like a 57 Chevy as Jason slings his guitar behind his back to deliver the lyrics. However, it's hardly a "guitar-less" moment as Christo is squalling some of the rudest noise out of his amp that anyone should be rightfully allowed to do so. Once they get to the catchy change, Jasno is back on board, delivering the twang as he paints a picture of tanned bodies on California beaches. A long central instrumental section allows the listener to make up their own "beach fantasy". Since "killer" is in the title, I like to imagine a cheesy west coast slasher flick, or perhaps a 60's beach movie with a rubber fish-monster attacking girls in bikini's. Sweet.

Well, have a listen for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK0rxzbSQqc

"Dash N' Dive" was then played, followed by the twang-heavy "Lovely Weather." Breathy tandem vocals from Jase and Lisha only serve to set up the pure sonic-assault that follows. It goes from twangy stomp to a buzz saw shredding from Christo and Jason - while Lisha and Sue lay down the never-veered-from anchored groove to it all.

The forecast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mBolSdBrFg

The band then ripped through "Swell To Heaven" and followed that with the tender
50's-style love ballad "Chain Walking." The packed Mercury Loungecrowd was loving every moment of the show as they moved in tighter and surged closer to the stage. It was now time for the sonically detective noir themed "Bad Volcano" which the band delivered a knockout version. Guitarist Christo is prominently featured as he lays out the surf-riff underpinings to Jason's vocal. Honey Sue and Viper Lisha throttled the bash and pop with teetering-on-the-edge wreckless abandon. It all lead to a glorious reverberated middle-to-endout guitar orgy.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKl84PbPLIw

One more song was played - a cover of Spacemen 3's "Losing Touch With My Mind" and then they were done.

Pre and post-show I was able to corner three-quarters of the band for an amusing and informative interview. You can view that here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgsFsLmkaWs

and here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPW0bfSaKhw

Having recently released a 5 song EP in the UK on SVC Records, the band now prepares for their full-length debut on these shores.

Go out and get these records if you can, and be sure to catch them live at one of their upcoming shows.

Essential links:

http://www.myspace.com/thevandelles

Exotic, steamy and vehement, The Vandelles peg themselves as « stereowave of sound ».
Blessed indeed with a sound that stands out as fierce and bewildering and is nonetheless "tropically cool", the quartet made a name for themselves with their sultry distortions, that trademark noir rock’n’roll.
You would expect these fellas to be from Miami or L.A with that hot sunbeam vibe but those noisy psychedelists are actually from Greenpoint, New York, hence one of the highlights of the prolific and stunning Brooklyn music scene.
Get ready for a tidal wave of raw sensations, the journey is not one to be forgotten!
“Dash’n’Dive” unleashes a tornado of abrasive guitars and dazzling drums while sensual vocals and the retro/surf feel spice up the whole band’s soundscape.
You’ll be flying over dry earth and flood and fighting hell and high water, embracing the evil child of The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Ronettes. Those who are familiar with their remote cousins A Place To Bury Strangers and The Raveonettes will appreciate the band’s primal energy.
Radical and dishevelling, “Bomb The Surf” projects you to a rollercoaster of emotions and gives you all kinds of sonic thrills. The Brooklynites also know how to play it subtle with mellower tunes such as “Chain Walking” or “California killer”.
Lovely Weather wins on both counts with a suave intro, knocking you out with an exploding pace later.
Last but not least, “Bad Volcano” emerges as the most staggering track on the album, just under five minutes of psychotropic, electrifying and incendiary sound. Mystifying!
Take the Del Black Aloha ride, one of the most memorable efforts of 2009. Addictive side-effects guaranteed…
"Die for it, cowboy!"

Del Black Aloha was released in May of 2009.

Rank : Stormy High

+INFO
The Vandelles on MySpace

The Vandelles

Watch us play impromptu on the street in Kensington Market

"Lovely Weather" Tonight on ABC's Body of Proof

The Phoenix calles us "Technicolor Noir"

Wolf & Harrison interview us before our Pop Montreal show

pop montreal this weekend at Cabaret du Mile-end

download our Cramps and Spacemen 3 covers free

Fashion and Rock n Roll

Fashion's Night Out

This thursday we are playing an invite only event at the Hudson Hotel from 5-6pm, RSVP to pink@theproject-ny.com

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Rock Edition interviews Christo

The video for Summer Fling premiers today on Blackbook

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Alarmpress premiers Get Around, the first single from our NEW EP...

BRAND NEW TRACK FROM THE VANDELLES ‘GET AROUND’ TO PREMIERE ON ALARM PRESS TOMORROW

http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/125485-brand-new-track-from-the-vandelles-get-around-to-premiere-on-alarm-press-tomorrow.html

February 1, 2011, 10:31 PM

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Oh yeah, we've started work on our next record

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Live Broadcast from Airwaves Friday 15th at 4pm EST

Iceland, we're looking at you kid!

Knitt tonight in Brooklyn

Shoot the glass!

Del Black Aloha goes live on iTunes today

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Deep Heaven Now!

Del Black Aloha is now available...

Little Steven's FUZZTOPIA

Chris Becker's Psych Fest Shots of Us

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22 MAI 2010

THE VANDELLES: "Del Black Aloha"

Check out California Killer on our myspace

Best of The Deli Fest next Saturday

Revolt of the Apes Interviews Sue, Lisha, and Christo for Psych Fest 3

THE VANDELLES

Come get your face melted in Austin this weekend!

For all our dirty-jers peeps...

KVRX Local Live Vol. 14 Featuring Us, Crystal Antlers, T Bird and The Breaks, and many others

Listen to our whole set from the Cake Shop via NYCTAPER

The Vandelles: February 26, 2010 Cake Shop - FLAC and MP3 Downloads

Rob Sacher, infamous owner of Luna Lounge, mentions us in a recent interview with Brooklyn Mast

A Downtown Legend in Brooklyn!

Dave Cromwell Reviews Our Mercury Lounge Gig

LIve Next Week @ Cakeshop NYC

Grimy Goods Thinks We're the Best Thing Outta Brooklyn....

The Vandelles – EP Review

Prefix Magazine Shots from our Mercury Lounge Gig

Serena Maneesh, The Vandelles @ Mercury Lounge (Pics)

TOONWAVES: New Music : The Vandelles

New Music January 11th, 2010

Pop Tarts Suck Toasted: Top 10 New York Bands To Watch In 2010

We are nominated #1 for the Deli Magazine's Best of 2009!

http://shoegazeralive4.blogspot.com/2010/01/shoegazer-alive-compilation-2010.html

Shoegazer Alive Compilation 2010

Pre-Order our UK EP on Amazon.com!

Vandelles [IMPORT]

Surfin' and Shoegazin' from Cannibal Cheerleader

Surfin’ and Shoegazin’

Reverberation: The Vandelles - Del Black Aloha

SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2009

THE VANDELLES: DEL BLACK ALOHA

The Warlocks, The Morning After Girls, The Vandelles @ Bowery Ballroom (Pics)