Local Music Spotlight Lord, they were born a rambling GAM By Jim Reed For decades, those of us in the self-appointed rock punditochracy have drawn an implicit distinction between "established bands" and "local bands." While the difference may seem obvious at first, it is in fact a subtle one, concerned more with the level of technical and conceptual accomplishment one has achieved than the size of one's mailing list. I tend to neologize the term, creating a slightly hazy - yet quite effective - dividing line between the two. For instance, bands like Chicago's Eleventh Dream Day or Syracuse, New York's Wallmen are most certainly Bands, while Columbia, South Carolina's Hootie & The Blowfish are without a doubt one of the most famous "local bands" ever to cash an advance. The inherent difference between the two factions is that many of the world's most dynamic, innovative and mold-breaking groups wind up toiling in obscurity and debt as their lesser-inspired and less-challenging counterparts reap the windfall of royalties and celebrity that only compromise and predictability can provide. However, once in a great while a band can, through a combination of dedication, sheer willpower and a healthy dose of luck, make the transition from cult fave to commercial success. One Savannah group, perhaps more than any other, stands poised on the brink of such success. Over the past three years, GAM has distinguished itself as one of the area's most consistently unique and involving rock bands. Their uncompromising approach to both their music and their theatrical approach to live performance has made them one of the biggest draws on the local club scene. What is not widely known, however, is that GAM plays regularly in clubs and at festivals from Austin, Texas, to New York City and at most points in between, without the benefit of an established record label, booking agent, publicist or manager. All that may change with the release of Phase 8, the bands first full-length CD. While their first release (1995's Thunder Bomb) was a twenty-minute EP recorded quickly with an earlier lineup, Phase 8 comes much closer to capturing the bands explosively diverse live sound. Many of their live staples are preserved here, including "Brain Damage," "Something in Here," "Detroit Steal," "Gigantor." Standout tracks include the John Zorn-meets-Disney freakout "I Must Sleep" and the Trout-Mask Funkadelic of "Kant Keep Me in Check." But the sleeper is "Legendary Spaceman I." This dreamy faux country ballad sounds so much like Blonde On Blonde-era Dylan that it might seem anachronistic were it not for the thoroughly post-modern production and the laughably brilliant refrain of "Here it comes/ and there it goes/ and nothing will ever be the same." In one fell swoop, lyricist and singer Kieth Kozel both references and destroys David Byrne's career-defining catchphrase (and alterna-mantra), "Same as it ever was." A dense and eclectic album which holds up surprisingly well over repeated listenings, Phase 8 simultaneously presents GAM as a mature and accomplished unit, while offering tantalizing glimpses of much grander things to come. The band took an unusual approach to crafting their debut LP. After an initial series of sessions at an established studio proved too problematic, the group abandoned nearly half an album's worth of finished tracks, choosing instead to work with local musician Bill Hodgson, a longtime friend of the band attempting to upgrade his home studio. Over a twelve-month period, GAM helped design, build and troubleshoot Bill's room. Their cooperative effort paid off, as Phase 8 sounds as good or better than most indie records, and Elevated Basement has become the studio of choice for many of the region's best artists, including Pinball Sex Machine, Greg Williams, Glasspack and A Luta. GAM is currently being courted by a number of record labels (both indie and major). They're close to signing with an established booking agency, and plan to release a limited edition vinyl single of unreleased tracks. Now comes the hard part: The time when they can and should try to make that oft-lauded leap from part-time critic's darlings to self-sufficient artists who pay their rent by playing original, thought-provoking music. It's a shadowy world, full of tension and fear, and although nothing they have done before can adequately prepare them for what lies ahead, their accomplishments to date should carry them far. Along the way it's important that everyone (perhaps especially the bandmembers themselves) remember that they have always been, and always shall be a band. GAM celebrates their new CD with a release party and concert at The Zoo on Saturday, July 12. Copyright ©1997 Creative Loafing Savannah, Inc. - | Published July 12, 1997 |