The Volumes

Thurs Feb 12

Kelly's Olympian

426 SW Washington

These days, when the word "rock" is thrown around more as an ironic statement than a musical style, being in a rock 'n' roll band can be trying. To really grab the attention of a jaded audience, you have to be doing something pretty extraordinary (like be from Sweden or get produced by Jack White). Luckily for The Volumes, they not only play rock, they believe in it.

"I think rock 'n' roll is important because it can make a difference in your life. If only for three-and-a-half minutes, you can lose yourself, your problems, your lovers. And through that process, you can find yourself again. That's rock 'n' roll, and that's the founding principle of The Volumes: we're here to help," says guitarist Matthieu Parenteau.

Their music itself conjures images of gritty juke joints on rural highways: visceral, primitive and damaging. Vocalist Morgan Schick bellows and howls like a man possessed by Mike Carroll (not dead) and the ghost of Otis Redding (way dead). Bassist Andy Kauffman and drummer McDonald provide the type of no-frills, all-balls foundation that makes your gut wrench.

Their chaotic sound directly underscores the band's earnest desire to please their audiences. Matt explains, "We have respect for our audience. Rock is fun; at a show it should carry you with it. We're sick of bands that show up drunk and don't communicate to the audience. That shit means something to us. That's why we dress up, run around, jump on the bar, and get in your face: because it's important to us and we hope it's important to you too."