The Stranger- People in the living room are listening to an unplugged set by self-proclaimed "spaz rockers" the Limbs. If you're wondering what "spaz rock" entails, here's as best as I can explain: One song's chorus consists of the male lead singer repeatedly issuing a girlish yelp. The set is very loose, but a lot of fun, and the rest of the party is, as the grandparents used to say, "tighter than the skin on a wiener."

Record Party.com -The Limbs are one of those bands that are few and far in between in this city. Their sound is raw, and at times, reminiscent of late 1970’s Manchester bands. The 3 piece kicked off their 9 song set with drummer Mike Peter announcing “We’re The Limbs, and we’re here to play some spaz rock”, a term they often use to describe their music. Which is in fact the best way to describe these guys, considering that spastic refers to someone who is awkward/eccentric. Matt Hanrahan, lead vocalist and guitarist, sings in a way I can only describe as a prepubescent school yard bully yelling at the kid with the stuttering problem to speak up! His screechy and shaky voice, which kind of sounds like a cross between Frank Black and Jack White, often breaks, counteracting with the solid musical foundation of The Limbs songs, and it works well together.

 

What we think: Loud and at some points, affectionately obnoxious, The Limbs flirt with themes ranging from love and social frustration, to technology and the way the world looks to a canine.

-Starfield

From our Bio:

Seattle, WA's, The Limbs began in January 2004 by Starfield Screensaver (Matt Hanrahan) and Mr. Automatic (Mike Peter) after the ruin of their former bands 27 Years and Society Club. Responding to their inner muses Starfield moved from drums to singer / guitar man, while Mr. Automatic moved from bass guitar to drums. Resurrecting his former Botulism Music (Athens, OH label) ego, Jack Crackerbarrel, Starfield and Mr. Auto based their "spaz rock" sound on Jack's Botulism Hit "All Day Long (the Doggie Gone)". Starfield called upon former Yeah oh Hell Yeahs band-mate Pants (Tyler Jensen) to fill out the rhythm section on bass guitar. After several attempts at adding a third guitar player, The Limbs discovered the perfect "spaz rock" sound they were looking for as a three piece powerhouse.

Get the rest by downloading our one sheet.

Spaz rock -Mixing energetic noise-rock with anxious, jumpy vocals, chaotic synths, and playful, yet demented, lyrics, spaz-rock is nerd music that is, often, too abrasive for twee-loving indie kids, and too jittery and bizarre for punks seeking straightforward aggression. An awkward fusion of the wide-eyed goofiness of new wave and the blistering noisecraft of 80’s punk, spaz-rock occupies its own weird little world where fluffy bunny rabbits and perky Japanese girls coexist happily with bludgeoned skulls and nervous breakdowns.
Noteworthy Artists: Brainiac, Melt Banana, Deerhoof, Enon