The Passive Aggressives
The Passive Aggressives
San Francisco, CA
Alternative / Rock
| Status | Good.... We're good |
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Bio
Few bands are more aptly named than The Passive Aggressives. The term itself hints at the unresolved conflict at the heart of their music, and in many respects, speaks to the creation of their sound. Mixing aspects of Progressive Pop and Alternative Rock, it is a sound not easily defined (definitely a passive aggressive move). By uniquely blending genres of harder bass driven bands such as Tool and Primus with pop rock sounds and vocals of Heart and Evanescense, they have created a hybrid genre with dynamics at their extreme. The San Francisco based band has a sound and full-length album "Conflict Resolution" is like nothing currently out there and they want you to know it.
About
The Passive Aggressives are Keren Gaiser (Vivacious Vocals), Christian Thompson and Andrew Smith (Guru-vy Guitarists), Damian Lynch (Bad- Ass Bassist) and Tim Dayner (Delirious Drums-meister). These cutting edge musicians are rooted in styles both past and present reflecting the intermingling of each members musical backgrounds. This is a band that switches styles without fear, pushing the envelope, and slaying rock and roll conventions with the unbridled enthusiasm of Frank Zappa and Primus. While the lyrics are intentionally ambiguous, it is The Passive Aggressives' virtuosic playing that announces itself immediately to each listener. The rhythm section of Damian and Tim both simultaneously steadies and fuels the band, so that Christian and Andrew can mix severe melodic and explosive playing and Keren has a foundation to showcase her formidable pipes.
Keren, who is originally from Israel and served in the military, came to San Francisco in search of a music career. With her extreme desire and military toughness, she established a successful solo pop career which included multiple CDs and shows in the US, Europe and the Middle East. Keren was looking to expand her musical horizons and find a solid group that could hold its own against the power of her voice. Damian and Tim had been in the Alt-Metal band Feral Moan, a long-time Bay Area favorite, along with original guitarist Jose Santiago who took leave to manage newly born twin girls. After meeting Keren online during their search for a new vocalist, they were blown away to finally find the unique piece needed to create their original sound. The chemistry between them ignited the fire to produce the EP “Reloaded” and the full length album “Conflict Resolution.” Christian and Andrew came into the mix to bring their incredible guitar shredding to the project. They are now expanding on the crrent material and creating a new repertoire already impressing their loyal and rapidly growing fan base.
Conflict Resolution was recorded in Artspoke Studios in Albany, California, where the band pushed the envelope further than they had done on their debut EP "Reloaded." Whereas the first release discussed external societal issues like prostitution, gambling and politics, "Conflict Resolution" tackles much more difficult subjects with a personal look at internal conflicts like depression, guilt, isolation, and suicide. In another Passive Aggressive move, the lyrics are thoughtful, passionate, and designed to exist on multiple levels where meanings shift with each listen. "One More Look" is either a love song to a spouse, a discussion of eye contact, or verse attacking racism. And, if it is a love song, they immediately follow it up with "All We’ve Got Is Now," the anti-love song praising the virtue of seizing the moment. The album's only true ballad, "I Don't Want To Be You”, compares the loneliness caused by an absent father with the personal guilt of abandoning one's own family. "It’s about me being grumpy at my old man", says Keren. The album thrives on extreme dynamics such as "World of Compromise," which gradually builds from an acoustic guitar folk melody into a climax of full metal angst detailing, as Damian says, "An ode to Bill Gates and the dog-eat-dog corporate culture." The most groove based of the tracks, "Slice It Away" deals with suicide and the opening track "Soundtrack To The Voices In My Head" takes an intellectual look at the media in a rocked out punk anthem. The songs themselves are unpredictable musical excursions that venture from metal to jazz to classic hard rock.
Conflict Resolution was recorded in Artspoke Studios in Albany, California, where the band pushed the envelope further than they had done on their debut EP "Reloaded." Whereas the first release discussed external societal issues like prostitution, gambling and politics, "Conflict Resolution" tackles much more difficult subjects with a personal look at internal conflicts like depression, guilt, isolation, and suicide. In another Passive Aggressive move, the lyrics are thoughtful, passionate, and designed to exist on multiple levels where meanings shift with each listen. "One More Look" is either a love song to a spouse, a discussion of eye contact, or verse attacking racism. And, if it is a love song, they immediately follow it up with "All We’ve Got Is Now," the anti-love song praising the virtue of seizing the moment. The album's only true ballad, "I Don't Want To Be You”, compares the loneliness caused by an absent father with the personal guilt of abandoning one's own family. "It’s about me being grumpy at my old man", says Keren. The album thrives on extreme dynamics such as "World of Compromise," which gradually builds from an acoustic guitar folk melody into a climax of full metal angst detailing, as Damian says, "An ode to Bill Gates and the dog-eat-dog corporate culture." The most groove based of the tracks, "Slice It Away" deals with suicide and the opening track "Soundtrack To The Voices In My Head" takes an intellectual look at the media in a rocked out punk anthem. The songs themselves are unpredictable musical excursions that venture from metal to jazz to classic hard rock.
With their debut EP Reloaded still getting airplay on college and internet radio stations across the US and Canada, Conflict Resolution has had an even greater response from radio and is continuing to receive many rave reviews from the press. The Passive Aggressives are cutting edge and gaining an audience the old-fashioned way; face to face and show by show, overwhelming audiences with their fun, adrenaline fueled live show. With consistent local shows, tours of California and the West Coast, the band is actively pursuing festivals across the country and European tours to support the release of Conflict Resolution. They are the true definition of a do it yourself indie band and working hard to show all who hear and see them that the promise held in their songs is ready to be fulfilled.
