Bands

"I have always had a certain song in my head, a certain chemistry of sounds. I've always liked to sing noises since I was little, but then again everybody's like that. But with writing songs - I have actually learned to talk and express myself in lyrics and it took twenty years."
-- BJORK

FICTIONWire Graffiti Venus Bleeding

FICTION - An Odd But Important Voice

-- by Annie Sidney

It's hard to categorize FICTION, and even harder to ignore their compelling music. Lisa Hayle's unique voice is not reminiscent of anyone else I can think of. It is thick, rich and versatile. Every song this band does has meaning - which is quite the contrast to the sappy silly pop that seems to be popular now. Hayle uses simple language to convey universal ideas - like in "Backwards," a song about regret and wondering, she sings," You can't look backwards, but backwards looks at you." This is a large idea contained in a small sentence. John Given, FICTION's guitarist, has his own style that stands out amidst the sound-a-like guitarists of today. So much more than riffs or catchy hooks, his parts are beautifully crafted textures that haunt. With a formidable array of pedals, Given is able to match the many moods of the music effectively. Memorable on drums is Koji Li, who is passionate and quite fun to watch. He doesn't play the drums - he tames them masterfully. His driving, diverse drumming sets the stage for each song.

FICTION has been around in various incarnations for the past few years, but the current trio has only been an ensemble since October, 2000. Considering their relatively short time as a team, they have cooked up some magical chemistry that affects listeners in a visceral way. Currently the band is recording a full length CD that will be out in June. For now, you'll just have to catch their shows or be satisfied with the tunes you can listen to at www.fictionsf.com.

Picture this: a modern day Mae West with road rage at a busy intersection where PJ Harvey, Radiohead, Ani DiFranco, and Primus have just gotten into a pileup.

Oakland, CA. Wire Graffiti started putting sounds to tape six years ago, when songwriters Katherine Sawyer and Stev Ohanis collided on our media-soaked streets. Amidst the hustle and bustle, with shop-’til-you-drop fervor, they hit the clubs, developing a sound that shifts easily from ethereal to hardcore while still keeping one hand on their folk-rock roots. In 1997 they released their debut, Poetic Dictionary, which was featured on KFOG’s Local Anesthetic. The band continues to build a strong following with recent appearances on local TV shows including Bay TV’s The Show and recent airplay on KALX, KUSF, & KCSF.

“It's easy to get absorbed in Wire Graffiti. It rises up and envelops you like a thick and choppy sea. Katherine Sawyer has one of those hypnotic and harrowing voices that draws you in but also makes you suspect she'll kick your ass if you're not careful.” "On slices of Cold Pizza", Stev Ohanis' guitar is dreamy and burbly one moment, buzzing and brutal the next, and Sawyer waxes and wanes to match. Jagged noodling and Iaconic, echoey semi-spoken vocals lend "Mean Old Man" a sinister feel, full of atmosphere and trajectory more then melody, like a chase scene through a thick fog."

-- ”Rock In A Hard Place”, Sam Hurwitt, Express, September 2000

“Wire Graffiti......driving, dissonant, and danceable...laced with the best elements of folk, psychedelia, even a little trip hop.The interplay between Katherine Sawyer’s haunting siren call..........and Stev Ohanis’ eeeelectric geetar is little short of mesmorizing.”

--Sam Hurwitt, Express July 1999

CDs available at Bay Area record stores and at http://www.wiregraffiti.com
Wire Graffiti is:
Katherine Sawyer, vocals/guitar
Stev Ohanis, guitar
Tim Sanchez, bass
Rob Tucker, drums

Venus Bleeding

Venus Bleeding originated in Modesto, CA sometime in 1994, but can be currently found in Oakland, CA.

"When it comes to unsigned female rock bands that kick ass, Venus Bleeding is at the top of my very short list. Led by charismatic, tattooed Angelique X, this East Bay band bears the distinction of having an accomplished violin player (Jen Slatten). Angelique's potent, resonating vocals and Slatten's crisp musicianship give this artistic five-piece (which includes Denise Archibeque on guitar, Sonya Westcott on bass and Corey Moore on drums) an unusual flavor. Venus Bleeding's latest recording successfully captures its striking fusion of New Wave and punk rock."

--Sarah Quelland, San Jose Metro Active 2001

Please be sure to go out and support your local artists!! Keep an alternative to mainstream mediocrity alive!

Bay Area Bands

pop-rock, fuzz, groove, light rock

indie, melodic-edgy, rock 'n' roll

alt rawk, distorted, hard rock

punk, thrash, metal

Bands - Beyond the Bay

Betty Blowtorch (Hollywood,CA)
Bitch & Animal (Brooklyn,NY)
The Butchies (Durham, NC)
The Fire Ants (Los Angeles,CA)
Gertrude (London,UK)
GirlfriendX (Westbury,NY)
Heaven Falls Hard (Norfolk, VA)
Hells Belles (Seattle, WA)
My Delusion (Chicago,IL)
Natalie Wattre (Glendale,CA)
The Pinkos (Seattle, WA)
Shade (Austin,TX)
Skinstatic (London,UK)
Twisted Rico (Boston,MA)