GROUPACTION - "HIGH MAINTENANCE"
DEB BEAUDRY ON GROUP ACTION AND THE VALENTINES
Deb Beaudry
January 2004
Wormtown.org
I believe this is the first CD release by one of my favorite new local bands, groupaction. I met The Reverend Shawn Revoltah through Wormtown.org and at the same time learned that Kurt Stephens, formerly of Black Rose Garden, was also in this group, so you know I had to give it a listen. I got this CD through interoffice mail a few months ago and it hasn't left my rotation since.
"High Maintenance" (double entendre, check the label) is six songs recorded at Tremolo Lounge by Roger Lavallee in the summer of 2003. He succeeds in capturing the live sound of this talented quartet while also allowing Revoltah and company to flaunt their eccentricities in the most delightful way. The first song, "Exit In Disbelief," STILL one of my fave groupaction songs is a little Shawnie-eat-World upbeat number that the kids will love. The megaphone vocals are perfect here, and you can hear the talent at work as Shawn weaves his way between rapid fire delivery and subtle crooning. The band is tight and talented. "Never Again" is a torch song with one of my favorite lyrics ever, "How can you sleep when I can't even breathe?" The song builds to a great crescendo. Next up is "Come Closer" which I hear used to be named "Closet Case." I had to really listen again after I heard that. HAHA! I like the backing vox on this but it took a long time to grow on me. It's got some funky changes, which by the way, the band pulls off effortlessly, both on disc and live. Plenty of layers throughout this disc, not too many, just enough.
"Alibi" is a bluesy song, if you can call it that. It's a personal love lost song Shawn belts it out like he really means it, which is a prevalent theme in the entire body of work that he's put forth. Nice subtle little background keyboard and sound effect work by Roger himself , but mostly driven by the bass and drums, provided by Roc Hardcastle and Rip Tear, respectively. "Can't Help But Wonder" confirms why Shawn became my favorite local vocalist the moment I heard him. He switches effortlessly from the deep throaty sound to a soaring high refrain. Awesome harmonies on the chorus, I miss them when I see this song performed live. Next time I see them I'm jumping on-stage for this. Excellent guitar work by Kurt Stephens on this one rounds out the tune. "Pity Party" is a ballad, beau-tee-full; also a fan favorite, could be on the radio, ala "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" until Shawn barks out "Go the fuck away!" And that's the CHORUS. Haha! I would still love to hear it with a bleep - the radio version also should be cut from seven and a half minutes to about four. There is a little filler here at the end, but I did like the "Space Invaders" effect, but save it for the LP version.
groupaction is currently recording another CD with Roger Lavallee at Tremolo Lounge, so you can bet that it's gonna kick your ass from several directions.
For more info on groupaction or booking, email {address deleted}. Their next show is Friday, January 30th at the Lucky Dog Music Hall. - Deb Beaudry