Baker Act
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Baker Act

Band Rock Punk

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"Baker Act - Live Show"

Review of Baker Act's performance at Fuel in Jacksonville by TikiTender:
"So on to the music. Alternative punk with an attitude, fronted by Danielle. Start with Ann Wilson (classic Ann Wilson, not the watered down 80's version), roll her around in the dirt a little bit, give her some some torn fishnets and some school girl skirts, and you have Danielle. I am usually a little turned off by female fronted rock but she definitely elicited quite the opposite response from me. Inked and spiky haired Elizabeth on bass and her brother Rudy on guitar have a terrific banter and energetic stage presence that kept me entertained between songs and while they were playing. Rounded out by Marz, who beats her drums like an unloved step-child, Baker Act is well worth checking out if you get the chance. You can check out their music on myspace at www.myspace.com/wearebakeract." - UDiscoverMe.com


"Baker Act"

No, They Have Nothing To Do With Baking
But Somehow Beer and Shout Detergent Figure In

When my friend Cheryl at work (usually referred to as “Cheryl” by her close friends) let me hear the fabulous demo by a local band called Baker Act, my first question was to ask her if they had a website. They don’t (yet), but they have a Myspace, which means I can hear the songs again and learn more about the band. For instance, I’ve learned that they formed in mid-2005, they’ve had a few line-up changes, and their main influence is beer (ahhh…I knew I felt a deep connection…)

Copies of their demo are available when they play live (or by mail–just message the band for information), but you can hear it on their Myspace. Their type of music isn’t easily labeled–“Ignorance Is Bliss” and “Psycho Chick” are closer to punk rock (with the emphasis on rock) than the other two. This rock is more Sleater Kinney and The Donnas than your average modern rock.

When it’s not rock, though, it leans toward the atmospheric, slow build-up of Siouxsie Sioux or Concrete Blonde. “The Story of Faye” builds gradually, as if the guitar is climbing out of a bank of heavy fog (or the place where it passed out drunk from too much Red Stripe). Like ye olde Bauhaus, (and some Cure songs, too) the guitar/bass intro is deliberately slow and methodical, creating tension until the vocals pick up the dynamic. The song then explodes with all the force and urgency expected from a song about being put in a mental institution.

“Institution Girl” also starts off slow, gothic and introspective, but lyrically and musically, it’s a little less despairing than the other similarly-themed song. It speaks to the subject, instead of from the subject’s perspective; therefore the anger, though still there, isn’t the focus. This is more a love letter to the girl in the institution, rather than a rally cry against the institution.

Baker Act will undoubtedly be better known for their two songs “Psycho Chick” and “Ignorance Is Bliss”. All of the songs are equally good, but these two are more “in your face” and consistently loud, as opposed to the other more subtle, layered tracks. These two are more likely to be remembered by drunk frats the next day.

“Psycho Chick” most definitely has the funniest lyrics (“I’ll be your stain, so shout me out!” and “I’m moody as hell, but I’m not in jail”). I asked the singer and songwriter Danielle where the “shout me out” lyric came from and she said it was inspired by a cleanliness-obsessed former girlfriend who always had shout wipes with her. Heh–must be the ultimate shout-out for the ex, then (pauses for awkward, forced laughter). “Ignorance Is Bliss” is the most straight-up rock song. It definitely has the American Punk feel of 70’s New York and CBGBs, with a bit of early Hole (before the massive bank accounts and rights disputes overshadowed Courtney Love’s music)

Danielle and Marz (the drummer) are the only two original members. Elizabeth came on as bass player after a few misses with other bassists. Finding the guitarist became easier after they found out that Elizabeth’s brother Rudy played. They waited for his tenure with the military to end, and they had a complete band.

I asked Danielle why “scarf magician” was listed underneath her picture on the band’s page. Sadly she doesn’t do magic tricks with scarves or make origami scarf creatures. She likes to play with scarves on stage and that’s how she got the nickname. I guess it’s better than playing with fire or knives on stage…I mean, I’m sure she’d be good with them, but I’d be a little hesitant to be in that front row if she did. Each member has a personal Myspace account, accessible from Baker Act’s page. I now know that Elizabeth really likes horror movies and The Muppets and that Rudy trained to be a nurse.

Baker Act (fittingly, a term referring to being involuntarily institutionalized) plays regularly in Jacksonville and other cities in Florida. November 17th they’ll be in St. Pete, and on Dec 1st they’re playing The Pit here in Jax. They’ve recently played shows at The French Quarter and Fuel Coffeehouse. - Lola Lariscy -- Urban Jacksonville


"Myspace: Baker Act"

After my review of the Explicits, their fellow Jacksonville band Baker Act contacted me about doing the same. After a brief listen, I agreed. It's always nice to hear a new punk band without a trace of emo and Baker Act has the emotion without the whining.

The four songs on their page all show influences from the artier side of punk. They're more moody, but not sappy, with some rough edges. Their influences seem varied from song to song, yet the result is a cohesive sound. "Psycho Chick" taps into the old Dead Kennedys sound that, oddly enough, few bands have been able to capture. The harder chorus is more straightforward and rock oriented, but taken as a whole, the song has a unique ebb and flow to it. They draw more from darker mid-80s punk/alternative bands like Jet Black Berries and Naked Prey, with a hint of the Avengers. Once again, the song has enough variance to its course to keep it from the doldrums that so many punk bands fall into. "Ignorance is Bliss" is the most straightforward of Baker Act's songs, but still throws a few curves and is carried by Danielle's passionate vocals. It's a pretty angry song and while the anger isn't focused, it is somewhat articulate. Appropriately, they finish up with "Story of Faye," a song that shows Baker Act's unique strengths most obviously. Like the other tracks, it reaches back to some of the dark side of underground 80s American rock, but more successfully. "Story of Faye" is certainly their emotional peak and they show a real mastery of their own creativity, striking a perfect balance between tight and loose.

Baker Act isn't doing anything completely new, yet their sound as a whole belongs to them alone. They don't draw from the hardcore or pop punk wells as many of their peers do, but they are without question a punk band. They are rooted in many things that have remained buried for years and benefit from Baker Act's fresh take. They've been together long enough to have developed a collective intuition that makes their music more subtle and compelling. While Danielle's vocals are particularly evocative, the solid work of the rest of the band, while less overt, is the subtlety that gives them real potential.

Baker Act has been together for about two years and have a demo EP titled Co-Dependent for sale or download via their Myspace page. In October, they head into the studio to record their first full-length and I for one am anxious to hear the results. - Bob Vinyl -- Rock and Roll and Meandering Nonsense


Discography

Baker Act - "Co-Dependent" 4 song Demo
Baker Act - "72 Hour Vacation" Full Release Album

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Bio

Jacksonville's BAKER ACT formed in mid-2005 when Drummer Marz heard Vocalist Danielle singing a karaoke version of a Janis Joplin song. Danielle’s voice was a thing of beauty in comparison to the whining, off-key melodies heard throughout that night. The idea of putting a rock group together was approached and the search for members was then on its way. Within one week three Bassists were found, but Danielle’s close friend Elizabeth seized the position easily, fitting perfectly into the role. Elizabeth’s younger brother Rudy was serving in Iraq while the band tried out Guitarists and began a local following playing cover songs in small bars and parties. The Guitarist was never a right fit and after several months of frustration, Elizabeth, Danielle and Marz threw out the rejected member. While awaiting Rudy’s return to the USA in July of 2006, the trio began writing music that would create the foundation of BAKER ACT’s original sound. Once all four of the members were together, the combination clicked and locked, forming an undeniable bond. Further development of songs and shows came with an ease that cemented the realization that BAKER ACT would thrive.

Although still a young and new band, BAKER ACT gathered tremendous momentum with the addition of Rudy. Within 3 months, they were named "one of Jacksonville's Hottest Up and Coming Bands" by Radio Station ROCK 104.5 FM when they won the Best of the Best Friday Unplugged, acoustic competition. BAKER ACT was also crowned 3rd Place Winner (over 400+ bands) in the 2007 Florida State Final Emergenza Music Festival (the largest international festival for unsigned bands), while not having yet been performing together for a full year. On a steady climb, BAKER ACT continues to win over crowds with their energy, catchy tunes, fantastic stage performances and original new sound.

“It’s always nice to hear a new punk band without a trace of emo and Baker Act has the emotion without the whining.” - Too Many Voices, 2007 Music Review

BAKER ACT is purely original and highly contagious. Their "We Don't Give a Damn" attitudes about fitting in shine through in their performances. With songs and lyrics that stick to the mind and aren’t easily forgotten, you may find yourself at a BAKER ACT show dancing, singing, getting psycho, and joining in on the "Who Cares? This Is FUN!" mentality.

“AMP: With all the bands out there, why should someone listen to you? What makes you unique? What do you offer that other bands don’t?

Rudy: We offer good music and a fantastic fashion sense.
Elizabeth: We like to boogie and we’re sarcastic a-holes on stage.
Danielle: Seriously... our music says something.
Marz: Now that Danielle went serious, I can’t say something a-hole-ish." - 2007 interview, AMP Magazine

(Disclaimer, if after a BAKER ACT show you find yourself repeatedly saying, "I'm a pony, I'm a pony" please seek immediate medical attention. Thank you, BAKER ACT.)