Download:
Aminal - The Fight EP's Sampler
Posters ranging from Kanye West’s “Graduation” to WKNC 88.1 plaster the walls of a living room converted to practice space, with amps stacked in every corner, surge protectors growing out of exposed sockets, and a lone microphone standing in the center of this array of equipment. Across the street, a tour bus for an 80’s soul band sits, slowly becoming defunct, but inside this shrine of music, rocking the floor with each drum kick and chord, Aminal is burning with life and energy.
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| From VR Presents: Free N.C. Music |
Aminal, a Chapel Hill band, got their name from the stencils of a graffiti collective based out of Asheville, NC, and is proud to represent North Carolina however possible, from the inspiration for their name to the North Carolina flag hung on the wall above an organ in their house. This organ, with bass pedals, a drum machine, and a full range of instruments (imagine the one you used to play around with in your grandparents basement), is subjected to the “creative impulse” of anyone around, no matter the time, no matter the volume-because after all, as justified by Aminal drummer Cameron Weeks, “Four in the morning may be late at night, but its early morning in the world of musical inspiration!”
And inspiration is not something Aminal lacks, in the last year they have produced and recorded two E.P.’s, booked and played shows in and out of town, conducted radio interviews, and have already come up with eight to ten new songs for their full length album to be recorded in August. Their May 7th show at Local 506 will in fact be a double E.P. release party for both “A Face to Fight” (red) and “A Will to Fight” (blue), and will be the coming out party for this band which was founded by long time friends and musicians Patrick O’Neill (lead guitar, vocals) and Cameron Weeks (drums). To complete the band these two then recruited friends and musicians Joe Caparo III (bass), and Mark Reidy (piano, keyboard)), and Aminal was born.
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| From VR Presents: Free N.C. Music |
Often, bands trying to create an organic and unique sound come to rely on gimmicks (a certain effect, a scream, too much distortion) which soon become dull from overuse. Alternately, many bands that come up with one good song devote the rest of their musical careers to making copies of that, producing albums that only become weaker and weaker echoes of a once interesting musical idea. Aminal manages to avoid both of these scenarios though, with both E.P.’s containing songs with a wide variety of sound, but all of which are catchy and immediately memorable. Aminal immediately stands out due to the tightness of their song composition, each layer applied carefully, but without sounding forced or uncomfortable. O’Neill’s vocals are clear, on-pitch, and immediately invite the listener to sing along, especially when combined with the enrapturing guitar chords and riffs which each song is chiseled from.
The clarity of Aminal’s music is also a tremendous benefit, as it does not make the listener struggle through waves of reverb, overdubs, and effects. With Caparo’s bass and Weeks’ drums solidifying each song, Reidy’s keyboard provides an additional layer that Aminal successfully uses to fill out each song and offer a greater range of sounds. “Drag Me Away”, off of the E.P. “A Face To Fight”, highlights the spectrum of Aminal’s song writing capabilities, complete with vocal harmonies, cleanly-executed transitions, and an excellent contrast between the repeated chorus of “I want to see you today!” and the gradual build up through the verses. “Blue Ridge Cowboy Church” proves Aminal’s multiple abilities again, beginning with an acoustic guitar and soothing vocals, and developing into a full song with the sharp strumming and solos of electric guitar and even the use of that furniture-piece organ.
By using their energy productively, rather than allowing every song to melt in to a full-scale “rock-out”, Aminal’s songs are both engaging and attractive to listen to, appropriate for a wide range of moods or settings. As far as their lives shows go, Aminal focuses on expressing their passion for music and providing their audience a more intimate setting. Or, as described by O’Neill:
“We’re energetic-we’ve seen enough bands to know what not to do-either that or we look like idiots.”
But despite their jokes and humorous self-degradation, Aminal has nothing to be worry about, and has succeeded in creating an honest and enrapturing style without relying on any cheap tricks which could later come to haunt them. “A Face to Fight” and “A Will to Fight” are strong E.P.’s, and anyone who listens to these should enjoy them, and be excited to find out what the fall 2009 full length holds in store.
Download:
Aminal - The Fight EP's Sampler
Edit (12/8/2009): The "A Will To Fight EP" has been pulled down as Aminal has re-released both EP's as a full-length record, "The Fight EP's"! Download a copy now on the iTunes Store
