With the current amount of music being released (a LOT), I feel that band names are really getting to be of utmost importance. Being honest, I’ve passed up many a band because I thought their name was just not appealing to me (you know you’ve done it too).
We Have Band is the type of band name that is going to be entirely hit-or-miss for most people. While some may mock it for being completely ridiculous, others may praise it for its simplistic message. All I will say is that it’s far better than oOoOO (remember them? Yeah, not many do).
In reality, though, that’s a not a fair treatment, and, thanks to constant recommendation (courtesy of Disco Naïveté), I gave the London/Manchester trio a shot. My first exposure was “Watertight”, one of the lead singles off their new album “Ternion”, due out January 30th on Naïve Records. Needless to say, I was hooked.
The track has an immediate sense of urgency with a rushed drumbeat and very erratic vocals that actually make me feel a bit anxious at times.One of the best things about “Watertight”, which is apparently about the inevitable demise of Bonnie & Clyde, is the fact that it doesn’t need an outright hook to get lodged in your memory. Another is the seemingly random breakdown that happens just past the halfway point, which screams “HEY LOOK AT US! WE ROCK OUT”.
Way before “Watertight”, in 2008, the band’s three members; Thomas (vocals, guitar, bass, programming), Dede (vocals, percussion, sampler) and Darren (vocals, drums, percussion sampler) started making music after all working at a record label (see? Not everyone working at record labels are failed musicians!).
A couple of years later (2010), the band released their debut album, “WHB”. The record had a bit of a mixed sound, at times resembling classic DFA Records dance-funk (think The Rapture, early LCD Soundsytem) and others there was a much more electronic vibe to the music, but one that could still very well be based on that same label (think Holy Ghost! or later LCD Soundsystem). At times, the sound seemed a bit skeletal, but the band showed promise, and a clear sense of direction with an attempt at a unique sound.
Fast forward to the present again, to “Ternion” era We Have Band. The band is much more muscular now, with clear evidence of their past as evidenced on the aforementioned “Watertight”. Another good representation of the newfound muscle is “Where Are Your People?”, another single from their sophomore effort. This time, the title serves as the hook in the chorus alongside an insanely catchy bass-line that is sure to get your feet going. The song does a great job of incorporating all sorts of elements in the mix without losing direction, such as the several guitar and bass riffs, multiple voices or synth splashes scattered throughout, making it an enticing and interesting listen.
These couple tracks have made me really excited to give the rest of “Ternion” a good listen, which you can do over at DIY. Be sure to download the “Ternion” sampler on their website too, which includes “Watertight”, an alternate take on “Where Are Your People?” and an acoustic version of another album track, “What’s Mine Is Yours”. We Have Band are also about to go on tour, so if you’re down for a dance party be sure to catch them at a city near you in the coming months.
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