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three letter word - live review
by Hunter Tyson (freelance journalist) www.myspace.com/huntertyson
Category: Music
There's nothing I enjoy more than seeing a really good live band, especially if they are relatively unknown and definitely unsigned. It makes me feel like I've discovered a new planet or life-form, or something else truly special. Melbourne 3-piece, three letter word, is one such band that I am happy to put into this category.
I first came across three letter word at Noise Bar in Brunswick earlier this year. A friend had invited me out to see "the best band you'll ever see for 5 bucks". A natural cynic, I made him promise that if I didn't agree he'd be shouting all night. As it turned out, I ended up shouting him!
There's something about three letter word that makes you think that you're seeing a band that is really going places. Their compositions are sound, passionate, honest and make sense musically. Whilst their main genre is rock, they play around with power-pop, pop, blues and alternative, and have recently added a heavy song with a dance beat to their setlist. Their set never gets boring or tiresome because of this, and it also seems to work better for them than many other bands I've seen who have tried it.
Lyrically, this band grapples with everything from poverty to drugs and other issues apparent in society, to enjoying sarcastic moments allowing them to take the piss out of things like fame, supermodels (society's view on looks and weight) and lust. There is also a spiritual side that is present in some of their songs, and of course songs about love and loss. The lyrics are sometimes poetic (Stay, debut EP), and sometimes confrontational (Therapy, Therapy EP), but you get the feeling that they always mean something special to the author(s), and that they want you to hear what they have to say.
If I have any criticism of this band, it would be that they probably could move around more and interact more closely with eachother on stage. While there are moments of this, I would like to see more. Aside from this, three letter word puts on a good show. Mel (vocals/guitar) has a very strong, rock voice (think of Suze De Marchi from The Baby Animals and Melissa Etheridge), and compliments it with solid work on her Gibson SG (one of my all-time fav axes!!), and some nice dramatic facial expressions and moves. Louise (bass/vocals) is like a mystery on stage. Her bass playing is in the slot and she plays it very cool. Duck (drums/vocals) hits hard and screams even harder! Duck's playing is amazing to watch and listen to. It all really works well together, and is an absolute pleasure to watch.
If you haven't heard of three letter word, or seen them play yet, I would encourage you do so. Click on their photo in my myspace friends section to see their page or go straight to www.myspace.com/threeletterwordmusic. They have a good list of gigs coming up in Victoria, and one in Adelaide.
You can also check out their website - www.threeletterword.com.au
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 myspace.com/huntertyson
- myspace.com/huntertyson
Discography
THERAPY EP (2006)
Tracks:
1. Therapy
2. R U Still There?
3. Haunted
4. Text Me
Self-titled EP (2005)
Tracks:
1. Stuff You
2. Breathe
3. Stay
4. Feel it
5. So Unreal
6. I Don't Want to
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
three letter word is a dynamic independent 3-piece band from Melbourne. Lyrically covering real life topics like image, poverty, acceptance, love and equality, three letter word's music is passionate, confronting and honest, with a few twists of sarcasm thrown in.
They burst onto the original music scene in 2005 with the launch of their first self-titled EP at the Northcote Social Club. Since then they have been playing regular gigs in Melbourne (some favourite venues being The Espy, Hi-Fi Bar, and Ruby's Lounge) and country Victoria, and have also traveled interstate. The band has made several television appearances on SBS and Channel 31 through "NoiseTV", and has also had solid community radio exposure.
three letter word released their second EP, titled "Therapy", in 2006 with Peter "Reggie" Bowman (ex-Southern Sons) as recording engineer/co-producer. The title track, "Therapy", was chosen to be on the 2006 AIRplay Rock sampler/compilation CD, and the film clip for this song has been broadcast on the ABC TV music program, "Rage" as well as "NoiseTV" and "Asylum TV".
three letter word are:
Mel - vocals/guitar
Louise - bass/backing vocals
Duck - drums/backing vocals
All 3 grew up in country Victoria, and have a big love for good Aussie music. The band's influences are many and varied, including: The Living End, Powderfinger, Baby Animals, Midnight Oil, Alanis Morissette, U2, Pink, Linkin Park, Live, Foo Fighters, Evanescence, Jeff Buckley and GreenDay.
three letter word's music is a dynamic and varied blend of "sometimes heavy, but always melodic" rock and power-pop.
Want to sponsor three letter word? The band will happily consider any sponsorship or endorsement deal that will help them to achieve their goal of "world domination", and you could be right there with them for the ride!
For more information about three letter word, or to get in contact with the band visit: www.myspace.com/threeletterwordmusic
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