She Wants Revenge - These Things

Genre rock Publisher Geffen Records External Links Official Website Geffen Records

When was the last time that you went to a B-boy battle? I went to Rords of The Froor, an amateur night not to long ago, and before that saw my friend Mitch bounce around his apartment. Mitch loves reggae, roots reggae, the club with breakers steadily pounded out M.I.A. So I blended the two in my perspective of musically what a B-boy means... only to have it completely wrecked by She Wants Revenge.

She Wants Revenge is conceived and conducted by two B-boys from the valley. Justin and Adam 12 have made a band that plays what at sometimes I think that I can love. Angular post-punk, with lyrics about love, if spouted from a devout cynic's mouth. With a voice that is similar to Interpol, I at first thought that She Wants Revenge was just an off-shoot copy of a band that by some accounts copied Joy Division. Not surprisingly New Order is mentioned in a list of references that ran like a who's who of the early eighties New York scene. Which is exactly what the band says they pushed for, referencing Jean-Michael Basquiat, Warhol, John Lurie, Mudd Club, Vincent Gallo, Gang of Four (we listened to them in the 80's!), and a slew of others, it seems that the band certainly has knowledge of culture. Their predilection for these people and the darker sense of that time is presented in great form on their self-titled album.

I found my thinking about just what makes an album original, moreover, does this album fit into the sub-genre of concept album due to it's direct influence? This album's lyrics definitely set it apart from what is currently being played in pop music, the instrumentation is rooted firmly in guitar, drum machine and synthesizer. In that regard, I was surprised to hear a few songs that could be quite danceable on this album. Although I still think that "White Lines" is the greatest song to dance to ever, I keep thinking of all of my friends that love Nick Cave and The Cure bumping and grinding away to this album at fever pitch. But still, does that make it original? I think that She Wants Revenge definitely takes themselves seriously (maybe to much) and have put out an album that has melodies, rhythms, and lyrics that don't necessarily fit into positive musicality, which is just what they wanted. With that in mind I think that these two gentlemen's musical attempts are well recognized and as original as can be hoped for. SWR have just wrapped up a few dates with The Kills and a few showcase performances at CMJ. Keep an eye out for them in the next few months.