Music fans looking for a taste of good ol' fashioned pop punk, look no further than Love and Squalor. The band has a sense of vivacity and fervor in their performance that all too often eludes the seasoned punk groups.
In fact, when the group played at The Union last Wednesday, vocalist/guitarist, Ohio University senior Jason Swearingen broke his E string from his exuberant intensity.
The song was so extremely chaotic
it didn't really matter if it was in tune if anything it added to the effect
he said. It got a really good response.
The other members of Love and Squalor include vocalist/bassist, OU junior Joel Henderson and drummer, OU senior Jeff Kell.
The group formed through Internet advertisements on the Athens Musician Network in May of this year. Swearingen said he advertised for band mates because he was tired of messing around with small bands and wanted to pursue something serious.
Music is pretty much my life. I'm a creative writing major in the purpose to make me a better lyricist
he said. Music is what I want to do with my life. I'm never going to give up pursuing it.
Henderson, who started playing bass eight months ago, was attracted to Athens' musical culture. That in turn influenced him to transfer schools and join a band.
I was at Miami University before and there was zero music scene
he said. Here there's lots of jam bands
folk music
a little of everything.
For Kell on the other hand, a cartoon and an aversion to tedium was all the inspiration he needed to sign on to the trio.
I was bored. Totally Spies on Cartoon Network made me want to be in a band. I'd have to say they've been a huge influence on me
he said.
Band members have differing opinions as to the direction their music takes. Henderson said Love and Squalor is getting heavier. Swearingen argued they were getting softer.
Our songs now are always at one end of the spectrum or the other
he said. They're either really poppy or not at all.
The band is working on an album they started recording over the summer entitled, It's a Secret to Everyone slated for release at Friday's show. Most of the music is finished but vocals need to be added to some songs.
Swearingen said one future goal is an east coast tour during spring break and to get big enough to demand guest spots on Law & Order and possibly a planetarium. Swearingen added, The irony of our band is we're very serious about our music and where we're going with it
but not about anything else.
