If you asked a lifelong native what Pittsburgh’s anthem was, odds are that you would get a response in direct correlation with the Steelers. But, there is much more to the city than just a football team – there is scenic and architectural beauty, a sustaining blue-collar work ethic, and a tangible camaraderie among residents. The local rock band, 1,2,3, chose to immortalize these defining urban attributes in their latest music video for their track, “Work.”
Perhaps they inadvertently brought about another musical contender for civic pride in the city. In any case, “Work,” is indicative of the progressive, percussion-driven rock, led by a searing falsetto that 1,2,3 offers throughout the entirety of their latest effort, New Heaven. And, this Sunday, September 11, the band is bringing their unique concoction of 70s funk, retro-soul, brassy punk and experimental pop-rock to the stage at Mr. Smalls Theatre.
Hailing from Irwin, PA, Nic Snyder (vocals/guitar/keys) and Josh Sickels (drums) bonded during their prepubescent days over shared interests. Little did they know that that serendipitous meeting would eventually lead to a burgeoning rock duo.
“I met Nic in middle school. We were both skate rats who listened to punk rock, so we instantly clicked,” said Josh.
Rather humble beginnings for a band that has since garnered a following from New York to London and numerous cities in-between. Despite calling Pittsburgh their hometown, the guys have only performed twice in the city under their current moniker; making this Sunday’s performance, supporting Bombay Bicycle Club, a homecoming of substantial proportions.
“There are a lot of quality bands from here; it is just that the industry doesn’t pay attention to a place like Pittsburgh. Sometimes it takes breaking out of Pittsburgh for people from here to give notice,” said Josh.
The time for Pittsburgh to stop and take notice is now. Released in June of this year, New Heaven, is a rollercoaster of thunderous percussion, circling around distressed guitar riffs, which draw you up into a cloud of vigor during the opening track, “Work,” only to drop you onto your ass later into a melancholy ballad like “Riding Coach,” which barely allows you to catch your breath, while it lures you through a labyrinth of lulling, almost seducing vocals.
Halfway through the album, the listener is met with a song that is as playful in its singsong tune as it is in the jovial image its title, “Confetti,” conjures in the mind. The psychedelic-esque distortions in the natural rise and fall of the melody turn the seemingly predictable track into a capricious cyclone of 60s-inspired transcendental rock. If it were possible, the song would be played while frolicking in slow motion through the animated scenes of Yellow Submarine or while gorging yourself in Willy Wonka’s chocolate room.
Until reality suspends itself, however, 1,2,3’s masterful 10-track debut LP and a black light will have to suffice. Despite the album’s release barely three months ago, the duo have already begun to work on their sophomore effort.
“We already have half of our second album written. It will be a double album called Big Weather. It’s an American horror/disaster album. A lot of the lyrical content is based around people and their problems during the end of the world. It’s gonna be a fun one,” said Josh.
Clearly, although their name may seem arbitrary, their work is as deliberate in its lyrical prose as it is in its melodic configurations. Catch this audacious twosome on their way up this Sunday, September 11 at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvalle.
The evening’s events will commence at 8 p.m. with fellow Pittsburgh native, Paul Luc, and end with London-based Bombay Bicycle Club. The all ages event is reasonably priced at a mere $12.
Visit 1,2,3 at their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/123land or at their website http://123land.net/
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