The Complex - LISTEN TO THIS ONE (2000) 

Please allow me to share some backstory... Eric and Vince were "Eric and Vince". You never saw one without the other. It was clear that they shared one musical brain. And these were not jams, these were songs. If you were lucky enough to be invited into their underground lair, nothing would begin until they made sure that everyone was very, very comfortable. The room was swirling with colored lights and projections spinning around the walls and ceiling. Vince's vintage 60's Ludwig drum set would shake the room like thunder with every hit. His beats were so creative that you'd laugh out loud with joy and amazement. Eric would no doubt have something lit hanging out of his mouth as he meticulously strummed his guitar in perfect lockstep with Vince. His feet did everything else. Eric had a massive array of pedals which only a mad scientist could comprehend. His feet scrolled and clicked away as if they had a mind of their own... and he wasn't even looking! His eyes would often be closed as he strummed and poured himself into the music. And what was Eric doing? Making an orchestra out of his instrument. This was 2000, 2001... no one really even had surround sound. But Eric had an amplifier right by his feet, in the center of the room. He also had a speaker cabinet in the far corner of the room. He had another speaker cabinet in the opposite corner. And another in the third corner. And one more in the fourth. He had 5 amps playing 5 separate parts. He would make the sounds swirl and spin around you, just like the trippy lighting. It was calculated. It was ingenious. It was immersive. And it was ALWAYS perfectly executed. There was NOTHING like it. How ANY of this was able to be recorded onto tape is beyond me. Nothing could capture the essence of actually being there, but this is what we have. And I think we're very lucky to have it. Eric would die next winter, shortly after his 23rd birthday. I still can't imagine how Vince could ever handle that. Because we split the rehearsal room and spend a long stretch together as friends, I was able to get my hands on these demo recordings which the world was never meant to hear. I have sat on them for 22 years, but I think it's long overdue that the world gets to hear Eric and Vince do their thing. I hope you enjoy... PS- How cool is the artwork from their flyers?? Each and every show had its own hand drawn masterpiece (I was only able to rescue a couple from the telephone poles of Philadelphia). All of their artwork was drawn by their close friend (and fellow genius) Dave Parker. Dave was also an incredible musical talent, probably best known for fronting the band Buglite. One night, Dave came down to the rehearsal room and I will NEVER forget what I heard. The Complex with a second guitarist and vocalist. They played just ONE song, and it was among the most mind-blowing moments of my life. It was as if they had practiced it a hundred times, it was perfect. It was the ONE TRUE example of psychedelic punk rock. You should have been there! Dave, Vince, and especially Eric... I miss you guys. Thanks for these memories.