Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
The latest helping from New York know-betters Four Volts is so damn bratty and catchy it immediately caught the attention of former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon. Now what does that tell us? Well, the stomping, road trip-ready Didn't You Used to be Invisible could easily pass off as a B-side off Blur's grimy 13, but as soon as the mind wraps its head around the evident influences, the following two tracks force the listener to imagine what the future could hold for this innovative four-piece. "Rearrange Me" is a two-minute Brit pop jaunt so sweet Menswear's Johnny Dean must be slapping himself in the head with the cell phone he's currently peddling, and "Bedlam on the Beat" is a buzznoise-soaked anthem poised to conquer Boston's suddenly sanguine dance floors. With a full-length album produced by Martin Bisi (Dresden Dolls, Sonic Youth) set for release this summer, it's hard not to get excited about Four Volts' potential.
- Single Review
“Each new Four Volts song brings a surprise and twist…in a day when eclectism seems long forgotten it’s good to know it still does exist. Go see for yourself what these indiepop Muppet lovers have up their sleeves.” - Single Review
“Bunsen Honeydew, Graham’s new signings from New York, is the finished article. Taking cochlea shredding noise as their starting point, they proceed to smack the living crap out of any ‘nouveau-shoegazer’ slurs, along with their equipment and themselves (frontman Danny Tieman’s guitar is soon splattered with blood). When their frazzled melodies take shape they can be shockingly beautiful.” - Live Review
“LOUD LOUD!!! Just a totally brilliant record by a group of people obviously passionate about the music they make…live they KICK ASS. Check this out if you like The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, or My Bloody Valentine, or just damn fine music.” - Live Review
. A sickness inducing bass sound throbs like lo-fi Wub until the room has been silenced, then set about killing everybody, armed with… Trail of Dead whupping guitar carnage and filthy looks. Blood spatters the stage, mouths gape in awe, and Transcopic has shown itself as everything Graham wanted it to be: noisy, brutish, fragile, sensitive, bleeding guitar shit. And cool as fuck.” - Live Review
“The compilation also knows when to bring it down a notch (the swirling melodies and beats of Four Volts does the job quite efficiently) and features a few up-and-coming acts who’ll surely soon be playing at a Virgin Megastore showcase near you” - Compilation Track Review
“I got a demo of theirs, and a picture of them; I listened to the demo my eyebrows flew off and I grinned broad and stupid. They are Wagners in lil’ bodies. Genius!” - Transcopic Records
Discography
Debut LP due September 2004 (Kanine)
"Rearrange Me" CD Single (Kanine)
"NY: The Next Wave" compilation track
"Didn't You Used to Be Invisible?" 12" (Transcopic Records)
"Modern Gal" 7" Little Teddy
"Transistor" 7" Bumblebear Records
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Being threatened by a muppet is a huge kick at first, but those bastards are a force to be reckoned with. And were not talking about the wide-eyed, messy-haired, soccer-jerseyed sap slouching off the bar stool next to you, were dealing with a genuine strings, rods and hands up the nifter felt puppet named Bunsen Honeydew. On Bunsens behalf, the Henson Corp. sent cease and desist orders (and keep in mind these lawyers had to act with the utmost sincerity while defending the character of a muppet), forcing the band to change its name from Bunsen Honeydew. As a result of this legalized insanity, and a Fellini meets professional wrestling surrealness to it all, the band is now billed as Four Volts. Band members are: Danny Tieman (guitars vox, noize), Lisa Cuomo (bass, vox), Brian Rayman (guitars, vox, keys), and Theo Cateforis (king kong drums).
Nomenclature aside, this foursome quickly lassoed the attention of Blur guitarist Graham Coxon leading to a 12 inch release of 3 of their early and bombastic energy infused recordings on his Transcopic Records. The band toured the UK and headlined the first ever Transcopic night in London with a solo set by Graham. The NME press from that showcase states: taking cochlea shredding noise as their starting point, they proceed to smack the living crap out of any nouveau-shoegazer slurs when their frazzled melodies take shape they can be shockingly beautiful, but tis the danger and thrills and urgency of the live show that makes the impact. Other rollers Four Volts has shared bills with include: British Sea Power, Graham Coxon, yeah yeah yeahs, and the Beastie Boys, to name a few.
Four Volts has also graced the pages of Vanity Fair, resting next to Becks head (see photo for scandalous details), was given **** stars in NME single review column, was critics choice in Time Out London, was featured in Rolling Stone, and made the air-waves via Mr. John Peel. Besides gaining international attention in as far away places as Japan, Greece and Australia, Four Volts has also become a NY buzz band. The NY Post pegged Four Volts as one of the bands to keep your eyes peeled for, and if yer wise, ear plugs close at hand for (a local NY paper stated that one of the bands monstrous live shows was a direct result of the infamous Coney Island High clubs forced closure). In 2003 Four Volts was asked to include a track on the NY: The Next Wave compilation which highlighted other up and coming bands such as: stellastarr*, Elefant, the Fever, Mommy and Daddy, and the Flesh.
Currently Four Volts is busy recording their full-length debut LP with producer Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Cibo Matto, Bordoms) to be released on Kanine Records in the US this summer (2004). Four Volts is also touring the UK this April 2004 to promote their upcoming LP with a promo single in one hand and an axe to grind in another
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