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Bang Lime is a Canadian indie rock group created by Joules Scott-Key and Josh Winstead of the New Wave/Indie group Metric. The duo-s history, which spans several bands, encompasses several acquired musical styles that are reflected in Bang Lime-s music. It is their stylistic flexibility that creates excitement for the listener and a repertoire that parallels the diversity of their Canadian background.
Musicians' History
Drummer Joules Scott-Key and Guitarist/Vocalist Joshua Winstead met while attending school in Denton, Texas, in 1991. The musically-inspired friendship lead to what can only be described as a musical adventure unfolding over seventeen years.
As a newly-formed duo, Winstead and Scott-Key played several venues on the Texas Noise rock scene, as well as the underground goth/rock genre in New York City. Later, as the rhythm section for the Canadian New Wave/Indie quartet Metric, the duo received mass exposure via world tours. This was Scott-Key and Winstead-s introduction to a wider spectrum of musical styles that would be heard later in their first Bang Lime album.
While still involved with Metric, Winstead and Scott-Key decided to create their own group to continue creating music while not working with their primary ensemble. This ensemble became Bang Lime. The name was inspired by a poem written by Winstead, and chosen by Scott-Key.
At present, Bang Lime is based in Oakland, California, where they have further experimented musically with facets of the punk genre. Their musical incarnation to date is described by the duo as an experiment with Punk, Noise, Rock, and 60-s Blues.
Musical Attributes
The complexity of Bang Lime-s sound stems from Winstead-s and Scott-Key-s exposure to several different genres of music over their years of experience that have been effectively compressed into one conglomerate sound. Although both Winstead and Scott-Key enjoyed playing the repertoire of Metric, when asked about it, Winstead admitted that he had songs that were -not in the Metric style and they [had] to come out or [he would] go crazy.-
Bang Lime-s musical style is a departure from that of Metric; according to Winstead, Bang Lime is -a little more male driven rock- with a „heavier“ sound. While songs such as „Iris“ (about a prostitute from the movie Taxi Driver) and „Sailing“ (a song about the slave trade) are more prevalent in terms of their almost eccentric nature and subject matter, there is an equal measure of love songs in their repertoire. As the duo-s idea of musicianship is -continuing to grow and change [musically],- Bang Lime reflects Winstead-s and Scott-Key-s desire for -a band that [challenges both of them] and [their] playing abilities.-
Discography
Bang Lime released their first album Best Friends In Love on August 14, 2007 on Last Gang Records in New York City. To date this is the group-s only released album.
As reviewed by The Tripwire, Best Friends in Love combines -the best parts of Death From Above 1979, [mashed together] with a little Electric Six, and [served] with a side order of White Stripes.- Despite some residual sounds of the dance repertoire of Metric, Best Friends In Love is distinct. Its sound is discernibly -much more rock- than that of Metric.
This conglomeration of sounds is present from the opening track -Kings and Queens-, which is described best by The Tripwire as -no-frills, grimy indie rock,- but -in a damn good way.- With the subsequent song -The Death of Death,- a new sound is expressed, one that sounds almost -like a stripped down version of Queens Of The Stone Age- in terms of Bang Lime-s incorporation of -fat guitar licks and infectious melodies.- Despite this apparent dichotomy of sound when comparing the two aforementioned songs, both tracks are still undeniably musical interpretations conceivable only by Winstead and Scott-Key.
In defense of their vast stylistic discrepancy from Metric, Winstead says he -[loves] playing electric guitar and [loves] playing it crazy and loud.- As the album progresses, it becomes evident that this is part of Bang Lime-s musical modus operandi. Winstead-s vocals are backed by a hefty utilization of -sick guitar hooks and some tight drumming.- Scott-Key-s drum virtuosity presents itself clearly. In an interview, Winstead explains that -[Joules] puts a lot of writing into his drumming. He doesn-t just sit down and try to play a simple beat.- Despite the comparatively sparse instrumentation, Bang Lime manages to create a complex, full sound reflective of an ensemble shaped by years of experience and musical adaptability. It is this musical attention to detail that gives birth to Bang Lime-s danceable, appealing, complex and overall unique sound.
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