New Modern Rock Band: Apes

How the Washington DC-Based Garage Rock Band Blends Old with New

Mar 25, 2008

Apes is a rock band from Washington, DC with roots in noise, punk, and garage rock. Their album Ghost Games and their live shows reveal how they are renovating rock.

While bands such as Wolfmother and The Darkness have tried to reestablish an older rock feel, other bands have thrown off the shackles of past rockers and begun to take rock music in new directions. One of these bands is the indie/punk/garage rock quartet known simply as Apes (previously, The Apes). This local band DC is almost unknown; their 2008 Gypsy Eyes release Ghost Games went mostly unnoticed, which simply should not happen. Their style is catchy, powerful, and most importantly, unique. Based on their energetic concerts, cohesive albums, and unique sound, Apes seems like a band that will pave the way for future generations of rockers.

The sound of Washington DC’s Apes is one that truly defies genres. With a base of noisy, aggressive garage rock, the guitarless group puts emphasis on the heavy bass of Jackie Magik (Erick Jackson) and the near-destructive drumming of Ronald Wolf (Jeff Schmid). This is juxtaposed by wailing vocals that are reminiscent of Portugal. The Man provided by Lucius Twilight (Breck Brunson) and shrill keyboards courtesy of Majestic Ape (Amanda Kleinman).

Luckily, this hodgepodge of influences fails to hinder the band at all. Instead of sounding aimless, Apes’ music drives itself into your head with a rusty nail and leaves fans' ears ringing…in a good way. As a whole, their albums are cohesive, yet diverse. Their sound manages to hold fast to its roots, but the band never shies away from a chance to experiment with their sound.

This adds greatly to their individual songs, which shine in their variety. From the hard rock madness of "Imp Ahh!!!" to the infectious hand-clapping in “Beat of the Double”, Apes covers just about everything that makes rock music wonderful while adding their own distinct style. They do not rely on one instrument or rhythm, either.

Brunson’s high-pitched singing adds just as much to any given song as Jackson’s pulsing bassline, and each track plays on their distinct sound. The most distinguishing factor about the music, however, is the lack of a guitar. This is a unique approach to garage rock, but it allows for a great deal of interplay between the melodies of all 4 players.

As if their music wasn’t already driving and intense, the live performances Apes gives are incredible in regards to the enthusiasm shown by the band. In their one-hour set at Bard College, Brunson sang and danced in the crowd, Kleinman told stories about exams and Texas oilmen, and the entire band managed to catch a PA on fire! The intensity of Apes’ performance left heads spinning, and they weren’t even the headlining band. When performing live, Apes gives off ludicrous amounts of energy that make Frog Eyes look tame in comparison.

Apes also packs a great deal of energy into their studio albums. Their newest CD, Ghost Games, is comparatively slow but still packs a powerful punch. Their unique fusion of powerful heavy metal, noisy garage rock, and hypnotic synth-rock makes Apes a euphoric, albeit demanding listening experience. But they don’t just rely on the same old tricks; every song manages to be catchy without turning the band into a one-trick pony. Apes is by far the most interesting modern rock band right now, and if their unprecedented style doesn’t sell you, their rampant energy will.

The copyright of the article New Modern Rock Band: Apes in Modern Rock Music is owned by James Blake. Permission to republish New Modern Rock Band: Apes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.