The sarcastically proclaimed black wave Memphis, Tenn., band, Lost Sounds, is set to play at The Union tonight to begin its East Coast, Canadian and European tours -spreading its hard-core, synthesized sound.
The group is comprised of keyboardists, guitarists and vocalists Alicja Trout and Jay Reatard, drummer Rich Crook and bassist Patrick Jordan. Together since 1999, Lost Sounds has released four full-lengths albums that showcase the growth of its metallic and synthesized sound, which the band jokingly refers to as black wave.
I think we have gone beyond that
but it's more of just an inside joke to call our album that Reatard said. I think we are evolving more and are just an odd pop band when we play. It is still an influence though.
In its younger, wilder days, Lost Sounds would perform after the band downed a liter of whiskey that resulted in injury and broken equipment. Reatard admits it did not make for the best live show, but the bloody destruction spectacle wowed audiences.
The band realized it should make some preshow changes after one drunken performance resulted in a trashed coffee shop, medical expenses, a broken guitar and a yuppie's unappreciated praise of the exhibition.
I decided it was a good idea to pick up a glass globe of the world and scream 'fuck the world
' then I smashed it on my face
Reatard said. After the show was over this old dude in a business suit came up and said 'That was better than KISS.'
As part of the Lost Sounds' more mature, fine-tuned live sets, it has worked to make its albums and its live shows an unremitting opus of driving instrumentation.
To have silence on stage is awkward
and I think that it kills the energy
Reatard said. We try and do the same things with our record. The songs are purposely put into a certain order to keep the live aesthetic on the album. Silence tends to make people think they have to applaud. Live music shouldn't be a spectator sport.
With the recent popularity of synth-pop in the indie-rock scene, Lost Sounds recognized the good and the bad of its signature sound receiving commercial appeal.
It kinda sucks to do your own thing for seven years and then look around and we are part of a movement we don't want to be part of
Reatard said. It's a double-edged blade.
The group is most excited about its second voyage overseas to play the fervent European crowds. In its travels, Lost Sounds has noticed European shows are well promoted, and less artistic compromise is involved in receiving revere, compared to the music business and crowds in the United States.
If you're watching a band play that is really giving it their all and you're just standing around
you're taking something from the band
but not giving anything back
Reatard said. (Europeans) are excited about people from other parts of the world sharing something with them.
The band still enjoys playing on its home continent and looks forward to opening up new markets in the states and Canada with its East Coast tour.
Lost Sounds is performing tonight at The Union, 18 W. Union St. Admission is $5. The opening bands will be the Snails, Red Dahlia and Olympus Mons.
-Blake Gillespie
