Preview: Archers of Loaf Reunion Tour
Just about twenty years after the first notes from Archers of Loaf landed forever altered the state of rock and roll, the boys are back together giving us a chance on September 2nd and 3rd to revisit just how influential this North Carolina band remains.
The original masters of dissonant and melodic unity are back to remind us how to make nice with opposing sides—and not a moment too soon. Our economy is in shambles, our government divided, our allies reticent, our adversaries indifferent. The good old U.S. of A presents like a bruise with how many varying shades of blue and red make up this confused and confusing nation. Thank god for Archers of Loaf. They are here, my friends, to remind us how to be resilient in the face of adversity. They will save us all.
Formed in 1990 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the band immediately took college radio by storm. Its unselfconscious blending of chaotic noise and upbeat harmonic hooks was undeniably infectious and downright addictive. There was a fair amount of aggression on the college radio charts in the early nineties, Sonic Youth was unleashing its feedback-drenched beauty upon the world, Dinosaur Jr was taking noodling to a whole new level, Frank Black was attempting—and succeeding —in prolonging the mighty legacy of The Pixies, but then came Archers of Loaf, who seemed to combine the strengths of all of these bands into a super-conglomerate of unrivaled coolness and unbridled emotion.
Archers of Loaf was the soundtrack to my mid-teens and they were perfect in every way. They went on to influence Polvo, Superchunk, The Cherry Valence and countless others from The Triangle area and far beyond. This is a reunion of indie creation and noise rock sainthood. Huge props to Merge Records for the recent re-release of 1994s Icky Mettle (remastered by Bob Weston). Respect your roots and go see this show.
[audio:/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1-01-Web-in-Front.mp3]“Web in Front” from 1994’s Icky Mettle
Archers of Loaf performs at Great American Music Hall on September 2nd and 3rd. Tickets are $25, doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm.
