Los Angeles based-band The Start juxtaposes passionate lyrics, heavy-laden punk rock and futuristic synthesizer accompaniment to create its impressive debut album, “Shakedown.” The band’s dynamic and driving sound provokes listeners to “rise up/dance to a different beat/rise up/ shakedown/rise up/free your mind of what they say!”
Jamie Miller’s electronically synthesized melodies are reminiscent of such bands as Nine Inch Nails and Orgy, yet he adds a unique energetic dimension to this girl-fronted band.
The band’s sound is influenced by the sounds and attitude of older punk bands such as Siouxsie and the Banchees, The Cure, Buzzcocks and more recent icons such as Fugazi and Jane’s Addiction. Miller has said that The Start is similar to those bands in sensibility but not completely retro.
Aimee Echo’s lustful and raunchy vocals are a perfect combination to the loud and edgy rock ‘n’ roll style of her bandmates. The remaining members provide a solid backup: Scott Ellis on drums, Jeff Jaegar on bass and Miller on guitar, bass and synthesizer.
Echo’s honest emotions are shown in her girlie words about relationships in the catchy bubble gum meets sour aggression “Melt.” Her lyrics are dynamic and scintillating.
They integrate sociopolitical commentary and teeny-bop energy to the rough guitar riffs and tripped-out electronic stylings.
Lyrics in such tracks as “Communion” create sparks against the gritty rock backdrop: “I’m outta my mind/I’m outta my mind/There’s no words to communicate to you.” But what The Start may not realize is that the disc does, indeed, grab its listeners and make them want to listen.
The Start has a uniquely harsh, yet catchy pop-music quality that could rocket it to stardom. While they may not make it on to “TRL,” this is certainly a band to look out for. The Start’s video for “Gorgeous” is on M2, and will be added to the MTV lineup in this month. Whether it will ever be shown is a different story altogether.
