After my last incursion to Ground Zero, I received many different takes on the venue from others. People that held Ground Zero close to their hearts remarked on the venue’s ability to bring in a variety of acts, while others said they steer clear of what they consider a “seedy” area. I found Ground Zero to be worth another shot, so I ventured down Howard Street this past Saturday to catch a night of music from three wildly different rock and roll acts.
For those of you who weren’t there, I’ll let you know what you missed. (Just a note, Max Price from the now defunct Heart Machine played a solo set that I missed.)
As I pulled into Ground Zero, I couldn’t help but notice that the parking lot looked nearly vacant. It was Saturday night. There was live music just feet away. Where were all the people? With four different acts lined up for that night, I would have assumed that people would line up for a good show. Upon entering the venue, I noticed that it was emptier than my last visit. I don’t know if it was a case of lack of promotion or not, but in the future I would hope to see more people out for a night of live music on a weekend night.
As I sat at the bar, Greenville’s three piece rock group Fuel to Fire began their set. Even though there was a meager crowd, the band brought an excited energy that pulled them from one song to the next. Although, there was often a long pause in between songs as the lead guitarist and vocalist searched through a disheveled mess of papers at her feet to find the lyrics for the next song. The music itself was angsty, gloomy rock and roll that seemed strongly influenced by alternative rock of the 90′s like Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and Hole. Indeed, the lead vocals were so eerily similar to the menacing growl of Courtney Love that I almost heard Hole covers the entire set. Thankfully, it didn’t work out that way, because I was never much a fan of that band and Love’s screeching that accompanied every chorus.
Fuel to Fire’s strengths lay in their riffs, which seemed to be drawn from the Black Sabbath playbook (a good thing in my opinion). Songs would usually start strong with crunching power chords or a dark, finger-picked riff, but then devolve into the usual verse-chorus progression. At times, songs shifted into an atmospheric bridge part, but then hurriedly run back the chorus before a riff could evolve. I often found myself yearning for an appropriately placed face-melting guitar solo to build upon the progression of powerful riffs or at least something to resolve the tension in the music, but I didn’t get it.
The band has an album coming out March 15th, so I’ll probably listen to the recorded material to see if it has the intensity of the live show. Caveat emptor, if you are not a fan of Courtney Love-style vocals or the whole “subdued verse plus loud, rocking chorus” dynamic from the 90s, you might not enjoy this. If the band works harder on their songwriting strengths and steers closer to their vocalist’s clean vocals, I will see them again.
The next group to take the stage was a three piece. Declaring themselves the “Bloody Vaginas,” and eliciting a few giggles in the process, they immediately catapulted into an amusing punk rock set. Some of the musicians seemed familiar, possibly from the Fastboys, and they enjoyed spewing forth a cascade of curses and grin-inducing comments throughout the set. The music itself was full of the misanthropic energy I associate with the Glenn Danzig-era Misfits. It was fast, and felt the way a car chase should look like in an action movie.
Some of the songs were throwaway punk tropes, like one song called “Drink and Fight,” but others were genuinely interesting such as a blues-based rocker early in the set that surprisingly included a blistering solo before returning easily to the blues. A perfunctory G.G. Allin cover was included, but I really feel that Allin can only be mentioned with irony and not sincerity, but that’s just me. Near the closing of their short set, the drummer exclaimed “You see, we suck at the music, but are great at the shit-talking in between songs.” I laughed. He wasn’t exactly right, but close. While the music could be repetitive and songs did seem to blend into one another, the banter between songs was suitably punk and the solo guitar work was always interesting. These three young guys would probably make a great act for a raucous house party.
The night was coming to a close and Ground Zero was practically empty as Archer vs. Gunman mounted the stage and immediately began their set. The band’s mellow pop rock was such a bizarrely different sound than the previous groups that I had to make sure I was in the right building. Where the previous groups had utilized quick progressions of power chords and vocals spit out with vitriol, Archer vs. Gunman seemed content to tread through mid-tempo tunes that were easy-going with some unique instrumentation. As they began their set with a song called “Art School Girl,” I found myself listening to the engaging drumming more than the guitar.
Earlier in the night, the musicians from Fuel to Fire and the Bloody Vaginas were all rocking through similar parts on their respective instruments. In Fuel to Fire, the lead guitar became the centerpiece with its changing riffs, as well as the Bloody Vaginas, where the lead guitar was really the only instrument that dramatically changed the progression of the songs. In Archer vs. Gunman though, I found myself craning my neck around to take in each instrument, because each musician played a unique melody that blended together with ease to create reinvigorating rock music that was more than I thought it would be.
The set contained both faster and mellower tunes, and I think the band excelled during their mellow songs. Lead vocalist Shaun Williams’ voice comes across as both breathless and growling, which can make it hard to differentiate lyrics and tone. At times, bassist Rob Sweet would join Williams on vocal duties, but they would both sing the melody line and I found myself hoping they would harmonize. It didn’t happen, but maybe someday. Stand out songs of the set were “Can I Still Rock You?” with its spacey reverb-inflected lead in riff and the energetic “Close to Her.” As they ended their set, I was left wondering if this band had been discovered by college radio yet. Their mid-tempo, easy-going melodies and indie-rock friendly vocals seemed as though they would pair perfectly with the college crowd, blaring from dorm rooms on warm Spring days.
The night was filled with an eclectic clutter of rock music. It was dark and moody, fast and playful, and mellow and melodic. There were moments throughout the night when I couldn’t help but wonder how this set was logically pieced together, but it came to me that a night of music is perhaps more interesting if you have no idea what you’ll hear next. It was Russian Roulette where the next band could kill your ears if you weren’t ready. I gladly participated in that deadly game Saturday night and came through unscathed. Were you there? Blow up the comments with your own insights.
Paul Board
I wasn’t there that night, so I can only comment in a general way. Ground Zero has always been open to all kinds of music and given many performers a place to play when no one else would. It’s a great place for new acts starting out, musicians open to experimentation, and established acts who appreciate the people who’ve helped them along the way.
Friday night is usually the busiest night of the week at GZ. Due to our state’s restrictive blue laws, the club must stop selling alcohol at midnight on Saturday night, putting it at an economic disadvantage compared to bars inside city limits. Consequently Thursdays are often busier than Saturdays. So you might want to check out the club on a Thursday or Friday sometime.
Paul, I have written about this a couple of times here on the spark. Not this show (obviously), but the reason for no attendance at shows. At the moment, people are using the excuse of a lack of funds and/or unemployment. Which is a completely legitimate excuse. These are unsure times and people would much rather save their money in preparation of 2012 (or something) than to go see live music. However, before the recession was “official” no one was really coming out.
I booked a two day festival featuring local and regional bands. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 37 bands, actually. There were somewhere around 150 people in attendance other than the bands between both days. At seven dollars cover a day or ten dollars cover for both days, that’s quite terrible. What we have here is not people who are afraid of an eminent danger due to the location of the club but, preconceived notions concocted by simple paranoia. I have been a Ground Zero patron and performer since I was 15 and other than a few drunken bar tussles, I have NEVER found myself in any REAL danger. So, that excuse is busted.
The actual problem stems from three places. 1. The aforementioned paranoia created by word-of-mouth and local media smears. 2. Pretentious art snobs who just, “…really can’t get into that scene.”. And 3. Laziness. The latter being the most likely of scenarios. Now, I know I don’t make it out to every show I could. But, after nearly a decade of attendance and who knows how much money invested in the scene, it’s high time everyone else start to pitch in a bit.
I for one can respect the notion that, for the most part, local music can be horrific. I have seen tons of terrible acts. That is still no reason to completely abandon the idea of leaving your house for destinations other than Wal-Mart, the mall or some frat boy infested downtown bar. From what I’ve read from you, you seem to be a bit new to either Spartanburg or Ground Zero. Allow me to hit you with some knowledge… Your piece is great, as far as intentions go but, I have a feeling you may be wasting your time. Your adventurous writing falls on blind eyes (..you get the gist). Spartanburg is quite possibly the highest concentration of nose to the sky assholes that I have ever seen. Like I’ve said before, there are the few shiny beacons of hope but, they are few and far between. Good luck to you sir and continue frequenting Spartanburg’s longest running venue (I think that’s right…).
I didn’t proofread that before pressing post. EPIC GRAMMAR FAIL!
@ Paul Beard,
Some friends and myself decided to catch Archer Vs Gunman on Sunday night at Sonny’s Pizza after reading their article in the Herald. We all thought that they were great. The show was well attended, and the crowd was responsive. Their songs, their sound, their equipment–everything was top-notch. The only draw back I could hear was, as you stated before, their need for back ground harmonies.
@ the posters,
Unfortunately, whether it’s a good economy or a bad economy, it’s still survival of the fittest. There are so many bars in the Spartanburg area that cater to a wider audience than Ground Zero. Especially when you consider all the all-ages shows at Ground Zero. How does the venue make money if not for bar sales? It’s great that they give so many bands a start, but at some point, you have to be willing to pay to keep talent on the stage. It might be time for Mick and Ground Zero to consider a change in format.
Look at what the Handlebar in Greenville has done in the past ten years with their booking strategy. I would have never dreamed that they would be booking some of the acts they do now. Furthermore, I would have never dreamed people would pay the ticket price for those acts, but they do and the Handlebar seems to be going as strong as ever even with the Bohemian, Smiley’s, Gottrocks and countless other food and music venues within three miles.