Need To Know: At The Drive In
Too many memories shuffle through my mind when I remember the words At The Drive In: one of the bands of the 90s which defined a certain kind of rock music that hasn’t been replicated in quite the same way since.
First, I think of the lead singer screaming through the mic, his huge afro bouncing up and down as a hundred screaming, sweat-soaked fans sing along to one of their biggest hits: ‘One Armed Scissor’; then I think about how it felt to find out that one of my best friends owned an original At The Drive In T shirt bought at one of their first gigs in a tiny room—the band playing to hardly anyone, but giving it their all, as if they were up in front of a hundred thousand people in a heat-filled stadium and the entire universe was watching. I was jealous of my friends luck beyond belief, and for a while completely in awe. Then I was relieved, his dog having eaten the T-shirt, but also absolutely gutted that I hadn’t stolen it when I had the chance.
At The Drive In were one of those bands who sent a ricochet through every single person who came into contact with their music but, similarly, somehow flew under the radar of popular culture mega-success. Their blend of super-high-energy Indy rock music, which established a platform where none had previously existed, was never less than high-voltage, ear-bleedingly fast paced and original down to the last detail. The song structure seemed organic rather than invented to fit any kind of man-made musical plan—as if the music had somehow always been there and the band had hacked away at the animal, carving out a smooth, frantic beast.
Fans will just have to contend with either The Mars Volta or Sparta (the two bands which formed after A.T.D.I. parted ways.) Much as both of those bands create some good stuff, I can’t help but wish they’d just get back together and do it like back in the day.
And to end, if any of you are curious, check out the new images that just went up for banner stands. That was my experienced hand at photoshop!
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