1986/The 101 Preview

1986
Subterranean, Chicago
Saturday, August 19, 2006

The 101
The Note, Chicago
Sunday, August 20, 2006

What’s the deal with number names? Maybe naming your band using numbers is replacing the wolf epidemic (Wolf Eyes, Wolfmother, (Lone) Wolf & Cub, Wolf Parade, etc.) that has swept music in the last few years. Let’s hope, because that shit is getting out of hand.

Truth is we don’t know why these two bands chose to name themselves the way they did (though we hope 1986 chose their name to honor Poison’s ’86 debut, Look What The Cat Dragged In), but a few things are known about the groups. 1986 are a three-piece rock outfit from Austin with some nice connections. Their debut recording, a self-released EP available only in their hometown, featured collaborations with the likes of Jeff Pinkus (Butthole Surfers), Bill Elm (Friends Of Dean Martinez), and Chris Masterson (Hank III). Their new record and first full-length, Nihilism Is Nothing To Worry About (Palentine), is produced by Thom Monahan (Silver Jews, Pernice Brothers) and Mark Deutron of The Melvins, who also played lead guitar on the psychedelic freak-out “Creep Like Me.”The band also made a believer of legendary recluse (but recently emerged) Roky Erickson. When Erickson showed up at an Austin venue to see his brother open for 1986, he was allegedly moved to tears by 1986’s cover of 13th Floor Elevator’s “You’re Going To Miss Me”and later called the group one of his favorite Austin bands in an interview.

The melodic power pop of The 101’s Numbers (takin’ it a step further!) may sound blissful but the truth is it’s inspired by death, or more specifically near death. Guitarist/vocalist Eric Richter was hospitalized with a blood clot in his heart before the recording of the album, providing ample fodder for Numbers (Limekiln). The New York City-based 101 (also including Jeremy Jones and Ben Balcomb) feature members of Antarctica and Christie Front Drive, who we’ve not heard of but if you believe The 101’s bio, they’re both “legendary.”Legendary we tell ya!

— Trevor Fisher

1986, along with LMNOP and Plan B, open for The Atlantic Divide; The 101, along with Pompeii and The Spoken Four, open for Inspector Owl.

Click here to download The 101’s “Last Chance.”

Click here to download 1986’s “Laughing.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly