Antigone
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Antigone

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The best kept secret in music

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"aNtIgOnE (& a bit about opening band) --"

aNtIgOnE (& a bit about opening band) --


The latest band I’m grooving on – and it takes a lot of talent and musical intelligence for me to groove on a band, give or take a Motley Crue, here and there – is Antigone. Antigone are a threesome of refreshingly talented gentlemen, and I had no choice but to pay homage to them Friday night by eschewing all but a couple drinks so that I could semi-properly review them. The band is not possible to classify, genre-wise. To my ear, influences are myriad, and range from late-60's to present. They produce a virginal alternative sound that's intense, intelligent, and irresistable.
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I was more than ready for Antigone to take the stage. The opening band, whose name I didn’t even catch and that I can’t find anywhere on this website, was mostly soulless. The lead singer, while highly adept at hitting all the notes beautifully, played it way too carefully -- happy, with his band mates, to languish in the narrow safeways of the predictable melody progressions of one of the more milquetoast realms of rock-and-roll.
I don't know about you, but give me some danger.
~~~~~~~~~~
The first time I heard Antigone play was at Della’s Benefit, and the band was set up in traditional style. However, the next time I heard them, Adam, the band’s percussionist, was facing the rest of the band, his back to the audience. I figured it was so that he could interact more readily with the band, feeding off their various movements, cues, and other minutiae that people who are used to playing together can do. Tonight, Adam again faced his band members, and an official FOB (Friend of the Band) confirmed this.
While I haven’t made up my mind whether Adam’s facing the band is something I appreciate, or something I find to be a characteristic of inflexibility in some regard, I found it impressively appropriate – though undoubtedly unintentional -- that he had a phoenix on the back of his shirt, in full display, during Antigone’s presentation of their purgatorial-cum-redemption pieces.
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You will excuse my lack of knowledge regarding song names. I understand the group isn’t much more forthcoming about song names as they are about their lyrics (read: zero ground), so I didn’t inquire. That’s alright. They’ll come ‘round.
~~~~~~~~~~
The first piece we were treated to was a debut for the band (I think), and had the same comfortably apprehensive vibe of their other stuff.
During the first portion of the song, I was reminded just how well Adam commands his drum set. His style is incredibly tight, clean, and intensely appropriate, to the point you just know he’s had jazz percussion training. His tom-work in this piece is effortlessly superior.
I enjoyed the perverse lullaby-interludes, especially when paired with Jacob’s modern evocation of Jim Morrison’s intensity and style. Jacob can do the most incredible (and apt – now that’s a difficult combination to find) banshee-wails this side of Abaddon. Though one verse too long before we reached the denouement, but piece is ultimately a bull’s eye in the works.
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I became excited upon hearing the Howard Shore-like guitar strains of the second piece, “The Road.” This EP has been on heavy rotation in my car’s CD player for a couple weeks, now. (If only the guys weren’t so unforthcoming with their lyrics, their loyal little audience could grok this song even more. A girl can hold out hope, though.)
I’ve thought about it, and there’s no one thing I can pinpoint that makes this song so transporting for me; this is the mark of a band whose totality equals way more than the sum of its parts. The creamy, luxurious raptness I experience from "The Road" comes from the flawless intertwinings of Jacob’s guitar work and impeccable, exalted tenor; Jeremy’s cock-sure, razor-sharp bass prowess; and Adam’s -- well, I’ve already mentioned Adam's skills.
Jacob’s voice seemed a bit strained on the crescendo going into the last chorus. And that’s all I could detect that “went wrong” here. It was a fun 30 seconds – oh, the song is over five minutes long? Could’ve fooled me. Thanks, guys.
Howard Shore meets Radiohead and creates something entirely unprocessed and with no artificial fillers. Yes.
~~~~~~~~~~
What bugged me about the third song in Antigone’s set are the little-engine-that-could interludes. Personally, I’d prefer less of Adam’s paradiddle prowess in this piece; it ruins the effect of the preceding jaded, testosterone-filled ¾ time bits . It almost sounds like the guys are trying too hard to force these interludes in an attempt to make a musical statement of some stripe. I will attempt to ignore the “realize your potential, experience your dreams” feeling I got from it all.
And that’s all I have to say about Song #3.
~~~~~~~~~~
I love the fourth, and last, piece in the set. It features awesome, sparse lead-bass interplay that is reminiscent of Primus at its best, with less funk and more finesse than Primus ever - Melissa / T Lounge Show


"Vamos Article"

Antigone’s CD Release Party set to Spellbind El Paso Saturday Night

Author: Melissa Bliss

“Cheer up -- my bitter half is dead… and I become undone,” sings Jacob Zarate on “The Road,” the first track on Antigone’s self-titled debut CD, set for release tomorrow night at the T Lounge. It’s with this same sort of foreboding redemption, along with almost peerless talent, that Antigone unleashed their musical fury on El Paso three years ago.

“We’ve been struggling to get a following for quite some time, and now, it seems to have come out of nowhere. I’m dazed. We can’t thank our supporters enough. I don’t think they understand how meaningful they are to us,” says Adam Armstrong, Antigone’s percussionist.

It’s difficult not to be bewitched by Antigone, one of the hottest and most promising El Paso area bands. Antigone’s influences run the gamut from 60’s progressive rock, to movie soundtracks, to modern heavy alternative, but the psychedelic magic they conjure is all their own – a virginal, experimental alternative sound that’s intense, intelligent, and irresistible.

Make no mistake – though Antigone’s offerings resonate with lush, creamy-smooth psychedelia, this band knows how to rock you relentlessly, and they do so with no apologies, with minor nods to such giants as Zeppelin, the Doors, Tool, and U2. In fact, part of Antigone’s ability to transport the listener lies in their skill at morphing various genres into the same piece of music, and to do so successfully.

“Jeremy and I have played together for over thirteen years,” says Armstrong. We have experimented with so much stuff, it almost seems effortless when intertwining various styles,”

Antigone is comprised of three members: Jeremy Ford on bass, Jacob Zarate on vocals, and Adam Armstrong on percussion. Zarate’s nearly-impeccable, inspired tenor, as well as his modern-day evocation of Jim Morrison’s intensity, creates the perfect union with Ford’s cock-sure, razor-sharp bass prowess, and Armstrong’s effortlessly superior command of his skins. Though Jacob has the graceful, intense command of the stage required of a natural front man, attentions are continually claimed and reclaimed by Ford and Armstrong – there’s no dead wood in Antigone.

“We write the music first; the lyrics just ‘come’ to us… I suppose we have a muse,” chuckles Zarate. Inspiration, they have in spades; however, Antigone are musicians before all else. Armstrong faces the band as he plays, in order to anticipate his band mates’ subtleties; Zarate concentrates so hard on the perfection of his craft, that he appears transported to another plane. The result is precise musicianship and impressive stage presence, with the added bonus of amazingly creative and fresh work.

Luckily for Antigone, their live performance translates well to digital form. With studio production as deft as many major acts, the result is a nearly flawless debut CD. Of course, it helped to have a talented guardian angel.

“We had been struggling to make this CD for awhile, and were just not able to make it happen. A friend took a chance on us, and we’re thrilled with the results,” says Zarate.

Phoebus Apollo was said to have been the God of Sun, Truth, Music, and Healing. Antigone has officially usurped that title with their impressive debut CD. Come out and support this rare talent in our city -- join me down Alice’s rabbit hole tomorrow night at the T Lounge. You won’t be disappointed.


Where: The T Lounge, 1218 Texas; 533-Tbar
When: Saturday, August 13th; Doors at 8pm
Cover: $5
Who: Antigone, Zechs Marquise
Websites http://myspace.com/antigoneelpaso (includes downloadable .mp3)
http://www.thetlounge.com

All Photos by Robert Padilla
- Melissa Bliss


"Vamos Article"

Antigone’s CD Release Party set to Spellbind El Paso Saturday Night

Author: Melissa Bliss

“Cheer up -- my bitter half is dead… and I become undone,” sings Jacob Zarate on “The Road,” the first track on Antigone’s self-titled debut CD, set for release tomorrow night at the T Lounge. It’s with this same sort of foreboding redemption, along with almost peerless talent, that Antigone unleashed their musical fury on El Paso three years ago.

“We’ve been struggling to get a following for quite some time, and now, it seems to have come out of nowhere. I’m dazed. We can’t thank our supporters enough. I don’t think they understand how meaningful they are to us,” says Adam Armstrong, Antigone’s percussionist.

It’s difficult not to be bewitched by Antigone, one of the hottest and most promising El Paso area bands. Antigone’s influences run the gamut from 60’s progressive rock, to movie soundtracks, to modern heavy alternative, but the psychedelic magic they conjure is all their own – a virginal, experimental alternative sound that’s intense, intelligent, and irresistible.

Make no mistake – though Antigone’s offerings resonate with lush, creamy-smooth psychedelia, this band knows how to rock you relentlessly, and they do so with no apologies, with minor nods to such giants as Zeppelin, the Doors, Tool, and U2. In fact, part of Antigone’s ability to transport the listener lies in their skill at morphing various genres into the same piece of music, and to do so successfully.

“Jeremy and I have played together for over thirteen years,” says Armstrong. We have experimented with so much stuff, it almost seems effortless when intertwining various styles,”

Antigone is comprised of three members: Jeremy Ford on bass, Jacob Zarate on vocals, and Adam Armstrong on percussion. Zarate’s nearly-impeccable, inspired tenor, as well as his modern-day evocation of Jim Morrison’s intensity, creates the perfect union with Ford’s cock-sure, razor-sharp bass prowess, and Armstrong’s effortlessly superior command of his skins. Though Jacob has the graceful, intense command of the stage required of a natural front man, attentions are continually claimed and reclaimed by Ford and Armstrong – there’s no dead wood in Antigone.

“We write the music first; the lyrics just ‘come’ to us… I suppose we have a muse,” chuckles Zarate. Inspiration, they have in spades; however, Antigone are musicians before all else. Armstrong faces the band as he plays, in order to anticipate his band mates’ subtleties; Zarate concentrates so hard on the perfection of his craft, that he appears transported to another plane. The result is precise musicianship and impressive stage presence, with the added bonus of amazingly creative and fresh work.

Luckily for Antigone, their live performance translates well to digital form. With studio production as deft as many major acts, the result is a nearly flawless debut CD. Of course, it helped to have a talented guardian angel.

“We had been struggling to make this CD for awhile, and were just not able to make it happen. A friend took a chance on us, and we’re thrilled with the results,” says Zarate.

Phoebus Apollo was said to have been the God of Sun, Truth, Music, and Healing. Antigone has officially usurped that title with their impressive debut CD. Come out and support this rare talent in our city -- join me down Alice’s rabbit hole tomorrow night at the T Lounge. You won’t be disappointed.


Where: The T Lounge, 1218 Texas; 533-Tbar
When: Saturday, August 13th; Doors at 8pm
Cover: $5
Who: Antigone, Zechs Marquise
Websites http://myspace.com/antigoneelpaso (includes downloadable .mp3)
http://www.thetlounge.com

All Photos by Robert Padilla
- Melissa Bliss


Discography

Crise Blanche (Full length) 2008 - on Itunes
Antigone EP 2003 - self titled (radio airplay)
Single - The Road (radio airplay)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Antigone is a rock band that hails from El Paso, Texas. Our members include: Israel Vaquera/bass, Adam Armstrong/drums, and Jacob Zarate/guitar & vocals. Antigone formed in December 2002, but we have played together in other groups prior to this project. Our music has progressed and evolved dramatically since we started playing together. We take great pride in our music and the processes that we endure to achieve particular musical goals. We consider ourselves artists rather than musicians. Our music has meaning and is well thought out. It is important for us to be true to ourselves in the songwriting process, in other words, we create music that sounds good to us and do not let outside influences interfere with the art that we produce. Since we do not limit ourselves when writing music, the songs we create usually take longer than the average song. Antigone’s songs are usually longer than six or seven minutes. An Antigone song takes time to develop, but is well worth the wait. The band’s sound ranges from soothing melodies that are usually enhanced by guitar and vocal effects to heavier climaxes. Delay is a favorite toy in our band and is used often, but wisely. Live shows are unique experiences that are always enjoyed by the listeners. We plan to continue evolving and striving for success. The one thing that makes the hard work and effort worth the while is the fact that we create music that we enjoy and share it with people. Money and fame may come and go, but the music is the true gift that we are truly grateful for.