Disaster // 3-16-1996 • Live @ The Foxes Lair (Full Show) • Hackensack, NJ
Setlist:
• Denise
• Jaffee
• Totem Pole
• Oh Donna
• Going to Jail
• Forever
• It’s a Damn Shame
• Bass Times Height
• Song for Jeffrey
• Guitar Man
• Sugar Sliver
• Sing Your Song
• Dream Team
• Jerky Blues
A Band Called DISASTER
“Garbage. Pure garbage... But heavenly garbage it is.” - ROLLING STONE.
“On a technical level the playing is quite adequate.” - GUITAR Magazine.
“The feel good band of the week.” - K. Lurie, South End Avenue.
“After the critical drubbing I’ve received in recent months, I don’t feel qualified to comment.” - Darius Rucker, Hootie and the Blowfish.
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The casual observer might believe that the rock ‘n roll band DISASTER draws its strength solely from the madcap genius of its primary songwriter, Scott Smith. But such an assumption would be incorrect: Scott’s cohorts often must force Scott to practice his songs or to play a gig. It is the undying allegiance of Scott’s bandmates that gives DISASTER it’s unique character.
Formed as a side project for several New Jersey musicians, DISASTER has quickly eclipsed all expectations. Possibly it is the remarkable songwriting of Mr. Smith, or the highly distinctive nature of his vocals (of which, one critics stated, “Yes, he’s certainly something...”) that has earned the band its distinguished place on the club circuit.
Mr. Smith’s songs tackle friendship, lust, envy, disgust, and hate. Such themes prove common in contemporary song writing; however, Mr. Smith brings a unique slant to each of his lyrical concepts. The song “Jaffe,” arbitrarily directed toward a former friend, suggests methods of revenge:
“Let’s burn down Jaffe’s house/
He lives at the end of the block.../
... Let’s’ take a dump in Jaffe’s car...”
The melancholy blues “It’s a Damn Shame” laments:
“Oh how I miss you.../
... Never meant to kill you...”
The infectious “Sugar Sliver,” a straightforward ode to lust, invites a sexual compatriot to:
“Shake me in the bedroom,
Rock me in the attic.
Move your little ass,
Like a junkie crack addict.”
It’s Noteworthy that Mr. Smith’s songs continually address the ills of urban society. His fascination with sex, murder, and drug abuse articulates a message of concern for the Nineties audience. Fans seem to appreciate such sentiments, often responding to songs, not with aimless applause, but with jeers and taunts. Crowd reaction of that sort invariably receives laughter and banter from the band-or Mr. Smith’s low-key, “Thanks... thanks a lot.”
If there is a window into the character of DISASTER, it can be found in the loose musicianship displayed during a gig. The deceptively simple 3-chord punk song “Going to Jail” seems to perpetually confuse the band. The song itself contains almost no subtleties, no hint of nuance. Indeed the lyrics consist of only four words: “I’m going to jail.” However, the band can never consistently master the song’s alternating once-then-twice chorus. Mr. Smith himself seems to almost deliberately reverse the song’s structure, possibly as a ploy to disrupt his bandmates’ sense of timing.
But such hijinks only serve to heighten the good-hearted nature of a DISASTER performance. There’s never a shortage of beer bottles waiting on the side of the stage, and one suspects that any flaws in the bands soulful music might be attributed, not to lack of talent, but simply to an inebriated sense of enthusiasm.
The members of this band often display the same irreverent attitude as Mr. Smith. Bassist Dave Kopec has written one of DISASTER’S catchiest songs, the reggae-flavored “Base Times Height.” Similar in lyrical approach to the above-mentioned “Sugar Sliver,” Mr. Kopec’s song invites a romantic partner to “Put your hand on my area.” And drummer Bernie Reilly penned the ironic social critique “Song for Jeffrey” - a thinly veiled entreaty to the now-deceased serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer. Over sparse lounge chords, Mr. Reilly’s lyrics offer a simple plea: “Don’t eat people.”
A DISASTER gig provides one of the more unique moments in Nineties America, a chance to witness the artistic conscience of a suburban youth. As the nation careens wildly toward the 21st-century, there may be no more fitting Soundtrack than the loose, unkempt music of Mr. Smith and his friends. Though the future holds only indefinite promise, music fans may find solace in Mr. Smith’s hopeful lyrics to “Forever“:
“Any time of year,
I am always here/
Even though you can’t stand the weather.”
#aBandCalledDisaster
Scott Smith • Guitar, Vocals
Steven Capozzola • Guitar, Vocals
Dave Kopec • Bass, Vocals
Bernie Reilly • Drums, Vocals
Jon Alexander • Keyboards
Bill Blundetto • Harmonica
30 сен 2024
