Wu Wu Wu (They’re Nu Nu Nu)
Let’s face the facts about rock and roll in the year 2009.
Everybody sounds like somebody. The best bands sound like somebody, somebody and somebody else but always like themselves. The very idea of describing a band as “so-and-so meets whomever” or as being “somebody-esque” is insulting to the musicians (who usually work their fingers off for no money to create something original and simply can’t help but be influenced by SOMEBODY) and to the reader (who SHOULD expect something a little more insightful for their time and energy).
I can’t say I haven’t succumbed too many times to this tendency. As a freelance music writer, I have to write a lot of words to make any money and sometimes, frankly, I just bang things out using words like “seminal,” “legendary” and “MOFO”. But my NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION, albeit a few weeks behind schedule, is to never again compare a one band to another. I don’t care if Singer X sounds like Ray Charles or that Band Y sounds like the Texas Playboys. You’re gonna have to figure it out yourself.
So, onto today’s newest discovery: The Big Wu.
Being a died in the wool Steely Dan fan, I had to be intrigued by their name (i.e., something to do with Dr. Wu?). (Mind you, I’m not in any way comparing the Big Wu to the Steely boys. That would be against my newly developed policy).
And, anyway, they’re nothing at all like Steely Dan, except perhaps in the way they describe themselves, contained herein:
Here’s some reality: T.V. rots your brain, and the internet is no substitute for social activity. Seems basic, but it did take a little therapy to recognize these sneaky truths, but not the horizontal-on -the-couch kind of therapy. Did you know that there are many fine and upstanding Americans who honor the theraputic (sic) value of live rock-n-roll music and, susequently (sic), beer… The Big Wu does.
The musical influences that helped create the Big Wu were loud, and large, and heartfelt. And over the past seven years, this Minnesota troupe has stepped into the role of creating the type of music that wants to course through your veins. Writing in truly American styles, the Big Wu slides, bends, rumbles, and chicken-picks with on the top intensity and good-time fervor.
This (is) inclusive rock-n-roll, people. So boys bring your girls, parents bring your kids, therapists bring your patients. Let the Big Wu loosen the straps of your daily burden with real vibrations. Coming to a bullshitless beer hall near YOU!!
Any band who describes themselves as loosening “the straps of your daily burden with real vibrations” is alright by me. So let’s dispense with the observations, screw the reviews and turn our computers up (um, semi) loud and now hear this…
Hmm…they sounds a little like…
