Ian Svenonius (Indie Rock)

Ian Svenonius. There are some articles whose publication is like a compulsory exercise. This one is unquestionably one of them. Ian is one of the most cult figures of the American scene, a true living legend. Recently the author of Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock ‘n’ Roll Group, which I cannot recommend highly enough (here is the promo video: link), Ian has led several bands (David Candy and Cupid Car Club are too minor to mention). A pioneer of the Washington D.C. scene, Ian is the ultimate hipster everyone is looking for.

Two albums came out under the name Nation Of Ulysses. The first, Point Program to Destroy America (1991), is a hard-to-pin-down record, hardcore and punk. The second, Plays Pretty For Baby (1992), is in a similar genre. It helped build the sound of the Washington scene, alongside other bands such as Refused, Fugazi and Unwound. Nation Of Ulysses always mixed Punk, really trashy Garage, and free jazz. The result is unusual, it was a revolution.

His second band is The Make-Up, to my mind the best of them all. Five records were released. The first, Destination (1996), contains many of Ian’s hits, such as “Don’t Step on the Children“. The second, Sound Verite (1997), is just as good, just as powerful, bluesy and punk. In Mass Mind (1998) deserves honours if only for “Watch It With That Thing“. But nothing beats I Want Some, an anthology released in 1999, for discovering Ian’s madness. Made up of 23 songs, it gives access to a great many exceptional tracks. If I had to pick just two, it would probably be “Born On The Floor” and “Blue Is Beautiful“, two tracks that recall Jon Spencer while combining the punk madness of his early days. Save Yourself (1999) would be the last record released under the Make-Up name, compiling several of the band’s singles. Listen to “The Bells” and the cover of “Hey Joe“, without fail.

Then comes Weird War. The first record, self-tiled, contains excellent creations: “FN Rat” or “Name Names” (very Pavement, in the manner of “Carrot Rope“). The second was called If You Can’t Beat Em, Bite Em. Opened by the effective “Music for Masturbation“, the rest is less convincing, less straightforward. The band’s last record would be titled Illuminated by the Light. You can find traces of his future band in it, as with “Put It In Your Pocket” or “Destination Dogfood“.

His latest band to date is Chain & The Gang. Ian drops his devastating riffs there for even more humour, nonsense and binary melodies, in short, more Ian. The first record is Down With Liberty… Up With Chains!. “. “Cemetery Map” is the first track to introduce the band. “Trash Talk” is one of the band’s signature songs, like a rallying anthem. “Reparations” is also a highlight of the record. Chain’s best-known track remains “What Is A Dollar?“, that brilliant ballad of barely four minutes. There is also the brilliant “Interview With The Chain Gang“, where the band interviews itself, yes, it’s possible. The album closes with “Unpronouceable Name“, which I am therefore bound not to describe. The second record is called Music’s Not For Everyone (2011). “Why Not” is the first single. “Why Not Pt III“, “Not Good Enough“, and “For Practical Purposes (I LoveYou)” are also among the ones to listen to. Ian’s latest album is In Cool Blood (2012). Not the most accomplished of them all, it still has “Free Will“, “In Cool Blood” and “I’m Not Interested“. The Ian Svenonius adventure is very far from settled. This anachronique article, which isn’t really one, already offers enough for dozens of hours of listening. Ian well deserves them.

The Make-Up – Born On The Floor

The Make-Up – Blue Is Beautiful

Chain & The Gang – What Is A Dollar?

Chain & The Gang – Why Not?

Related links:

Video made to promote his latest book

Link to ALL the anachronique articles