The Monkees And Nirvana Had A Baby, And Its Name Is “The Spiveys.”

Originally Published Here: http://shutter16.com/wp/2011/06/20/show-review-the-monkees-and-nirvana-had-a-baby-and-its-name-is-the-spiveys/

Published Monday, June 20, 2011 By amanda_caines. Under Editor : Amanda Caines, Photographer: Stephanie Moore, Show Review, Snug Harbor, Writer: Amanda Caines Tags: Amanda Caines, Nirvana, Snug Harbor, The Beatles, The Monkees, The Spiveys, Weezer

The Spiveys at Snug Harbor

Surrounded by a plethora of pirate plunder at Snug Harbor, I settled in with the set of spectators for The Spiveys in anticipation of a good time. I’d never been to Snug Harbor before, and, though it wasn’t what I expected, it was still pretty cool. The Spiveys weren’t too shabby, either.

I’ve been a fan of Adam Middleton’s unique attack on writing vocal lines ever since I first heard him perform with The Stellas, and his new band, The Spiveys, takes that even further. Adam and drummer Jacob Worden (also formerly of The Stellas) got together with guitarist Jesse Reaves (You Tonight), and what began as a summer side project for these guys clicked into place as a more permanent fixture in the Charlotte indie rock scene.

To say that The Spiveys are just another indie band would be to ignore some of the eclectic other stuff going on in their music. It’s like an orgy of bands from the 60s and the 90s: Nirvana, The Monkees, Weezer, and a little reach-around from The Beatles’ experimental side. They even tried out their cover of “Happiness is a Warm Gun” that they had prepared for the Tosco Beatles Tribute show the following night. It was a little out of tune, guitar-wise, but, not being familiar with the song, I wasn’t completely sure if it was intentionally de-tuned or not—apparently it wasn’t. That, and the scariest feedback sound I’d ever heard right at the beginning of “Can’t Stay Here” were really the only bad points of the show. Everything else was thoroughly enjoyable.

Tempos of their originals span from the slower, chillin’-at-the-soda-shop-style “Oh My God,” to the funky, mysterious and rhythmic “Modest Mannequin” that borders on disco at times, all the way to channeling Kurt Cobain’s bold angst in “Shut the Fuck Up,” which Jesse dedicated to Jacob for the night. Further cementing the Nirvana connection, Adam played a blue Fender Jag-Stang, Kurt’s custom guitar invention. As a rocker chick who cut her teeth on Nirvana, I have a soft spot for anybody who can rock out grunge-style.

Regardless of what style they’re entertaining in any given tune, The Spiveys are tight in their rhythms, catchy in their songwriting, and energetic in their musical execution. Adam is one of those people who likes to do crazy things on stage, and Jesse dives right in with him with power-slides and pop-rock bounces. These guys are truly fun to experience live, and I will definitely catch them again in the near future. I advise all fans of grunge or bubblegum pop to do the same. More Photos Here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutter16mag/sets/72157626884365799/