Music
Press
This group (led by Kevin, along with co-writing partner Jeff) is more influenced by the 70s soft-rock sound of bands like Fleetwood Mac or Todd Rundgren, with additional inspiration from Ben Folds, the Eels and Elliott Smith. On this record, you'll find some 70s-styled rock, like the peppy "4 Letter Word" or the slower "Get To You" (with a very classic rock-inspired guitar riff); some softer ballads, both acoustic guitar-based ("Settle Into Grey") and piano-based ("Getting Better Lately"); as well as songs in between, including some melodic hits like "Tear Me Down" and "She Was My Ride" (which, along with the Lucksmiths-meets-Byrds-ish "Song '89", appeared on the previous EP)... - Chris Mac, Oct 23, 2006 - Indiepages
It's a strange formula but all the elements seem to work. Take two guys who transplanted from Connecticut to Seattle, a conjoined relationship with Seattle's musical equivalent of a teacher's pet; the notorious band Math and Physics Club and the friendly ear of indie music DJ's, then swirl that all around with some catchy harmonized melodies lead by the least likely member of the band, the drummer! - Angela Jossy - Tacoma WA Weekly Volcano
"...So aber könnte man vielleicht bald wirklich im Radio diesen angenehm schwerelosen Siebziger-Sound hören, der von Fleetwood Mac bis hin zu Ben Folds immer weiter getragen wird. Oder sie bleiben - wie ihre Brüder im Geiste Nada Surf - ein ewiger Geheimtipp." - Der Spiegel
For me, the joy of seeing live music is that you never know what you will catch. Last night the joy came in the form of Central Services, the indie/pop band that opened up the night.
The first thing about CS that will catch most people'e eyes is the lead singer is also the drummer. And he plays standing up. And he has the tiniest kick drum you'll ever see. But the thing that will catch most people's ears are the melodies. Good stuff. - Seattle Noise Blog (Seattle P.I.)
I can’t quite put my finger on what “Song 89″ reminds me of; maybe The Lucksmiths slowly turning into Ben Folds doing a cover of a song from the 1950s? However you take it, it’s a relaxing and somewhat comforting. As the piano slowly creeps in the mix and the ’sha na na’s kick in, everything comes into place and you can breathe a sigh of relief. - You Ain't No Picasso - May 06
These boys have the soundtrack to your next aimless Sunday drive. - The Seattle Weekly
“Central Services are a perfect Seattle band: Great pop tunes with a brain to back them up.” - You Ain't No Picasso
“This is a great start for this band.” - Indiepages.com
“Moving from deft power-pop to wavy acoustic grooves, the Seattle group has a knack for harmonies and hooks … their sound harkens back to the Byrds and the Turtles as much as it nods to contemporary pop fauna." - Indie Round Up Zine
Imagine the skiffle pop of Math and Physics Club combined with the laid back melancholy pop of The Young Tradition and you have Central Services. All in all, a most enjoyable jaunt. - Tasty Fanzine
Discography
"We're All Smarter Now EP" Dec 2005 - 4 tracks ready for streaming and further airplay
Self-Titled LP, Sept 2006 - 10 tracks ready for streaming and airplay
Both records have been in rotation at Seattle's KEXP 90.3, and have received play from commercial stations 107.7 The End and 103.7 The Mountain.
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Bio
Hailing from Seattle, Central Services has steadily made a name for themselves as an indie pop/rock outfit that can simultaneously lay claim to finely crafted songs, solid musicianship, and engaging live shows. The band draws heavily from 70's-era aesthetics, textures, and songwriting craft, influenced by artists ranging from Wilco to Steely Dan, Ben Folds to Paul McCartney, Aimee Mann to The Shins, and Elliott Smith to early Genesis. In their hometown, where they've been heralded as "boundary breaking," their reputation for being devoted to a musical past when substance and honesty trumped all else continues to spread.
Central Services is comprised of co-songwriters Kevin Emerson on vocals/(stand up) drums, and Jeff Blancato on lead guitar, who have been collaborating since their days in high school in Connecticut.. They are joined on keyboards by Eric Goetz, Andrea Wittgens on piano, Vincent Gates on guitar, and Joel Grow on bass.
The band doesn't limit their sound to a single genre, and has been praised for both their acoustic singer-songwriter side, their indie-pop influence, and their raw rock sound. While alternative rock radio station 107.7 The End has played the band's more 'rocking' songs, stations like 103.7 The Mountain in Seattle (who has featured Central Services as their Local Artist of the Month) and Music For Listeners in San Antonio have emphasized the band's acoustic side. KEXP 90.3 in Seattle has championed Central Services' melodic indie-pop songs, while also giving airplay to 7 of the 10 tracks on their latest release.
Central Services released a 4-song debut EP in December 2005, "We're All Smarter Now", and a self-titled LP in August 2006, both of which were added to rotation at KEXP shortly after their release. Their self-titled DIY debut album charted nationally in the CMJ Top 200. Both releases are available on the web at Amazon.com, CDBaby.com, and iTunes. The band is represented to college radio and media by Fanatic Promotions (NYC), and distributed by Burnside Distribution (Portland, OR). Work is well underway on their next full-length release, slated for completion in 2008.
Other notable highlights include:
* Played the Bumbershoot 2007 music festival (Experience Music Project's Sky Church stage) in Seattle, WA.
* Featured in Der Spiegel's Top of the Blogs (http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/0,1518,476848,00.html).
* In November '06, "Get To You," the LP's opening track, was featured on NPR's All Songs Considered Open Mic.
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