What’s the importance of a supergroup these days? The Hard Quartet really aren’t worried about it
As a seasoned music enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I find myself deeply moved by the camaraderie and creative synergy displayed within the Hard Quartet. Their shared history, diverse musical backgrounds, and mutual respect for each other’s craft create an energy that is both infectious and inspiring.
On a recent Wednesday night in a North Hollywood rehearsal studio, the members of the Hard Quartet are pausing from preparing for their indie-rock supergroup’s debut concert to reminisce about the initial performances they had with various other bands.
Jim White, the drummer, shares a memory of his debut performance with Dirty Three, a group that originated in Melbourne during the early ’90s due to a bar owner’s request for a band. In his words, “There was just one guy who owned a bar, and he wanted a band.” The first show had only three sets and an audience of just three people, but they received a total of $60.
As I ponder, I find myself questioning: “Each?” This inquiry comes from musician and guitarist Matt Sweeney, renowned for co-founding New York’s Chavez during that very era.
“Total,” White answers. “Plus all you can drink.”
According to Stephen Malkmus, who’s well-known as the lead vocalist of Pavement, “That’s quite a situation in Australia.
Does White reckon the Dirty Three downed more than $60 worth of booze?
Indeed,” replies the drummer, “we had forgotten our equipment there and returned the following day. It seemed as if the beverages were perpetually pouring.
× As a seasoned member of The Hard Quartet, Emmett Kelly, who has worked with bands like the Cairo Gang and Will Oldham for years, is the group’s fourth addition. Despite their ages ranging from mid-40s to early 60s, they appear completely unfazed about performing in front of an audience at the Belasco in downtown Los Angeles tomorrow. Sweeney offers a platter of brie and raspberries as we converse, while Malkmus is dressed casually in tennis shorts and shoes, having arrived directly from a friend’s tennis match earlier today.
Despite their casual demeanor, there’s a charming enthusiasm in the way they create music collectively. “Isn’t it great?” Malkmus queries. “Admittedly, some of the lyrics aren’t particularly compelling. However, I really enjoy the tunes.
The band’s self-titled first album, released last month, is a catchy explosion of fuzz-pop, infused with glam, folk, and psychedelic elements – it’s got fantastic guitar riffs and a laid-back groove reminiscent of the Beatles’ late era. Malkmus, Sweeney, and Kelly trade off on lead vocals, recalling their previous works, particularly Pavement. However, the unique way they blend these familiar styles creates a sense of novelty.
The group known as The Hard Quartet formed following Malkmus and Sweeney’s collaboration on Malkmus’ 2020 solo album titled “Traditional Techniques.” While none of the band members object to being labeled a ‘supergroup,’ they find the term slightly awkward. According to Sweeney, their extensive musical background meant they didn’t need to spend much time discussing and agreeing on many aspects, enabling them to quickly find common ground. The fact that The Hard Quartet features multiple lead vocalists and songwriters was a given from the start; Malkmus likens this arrangement to bands like the B-52’s, Sonic Youth, X, and Royal Trux.
He clarifies, “It introduces a shared aspect.” Sweeney then adds, “Varied perspectives from within the same spacecraft.
As of now, it’s typically not the songwriter who plays bass in a Hard Quartet song, but this doesn’t mean that the bass isn’t valued. On the contrary, Kelly asserts that “everyone wants to play it – even Jim.” White concurs from his drum seat. Sweeney adds, “There are many misconceptions about rock ‘n’ roll, but perhaps the most peculiar is the belief that no one desires to play bass.
In the early, intense days, it was customary for the newcomer to start off on bass, as Malkmus notes. People seemed eager to advance to the guitar position. I’m not sure why. Perhaps Johnny Thunders, the notorious New York Dolls member, had a cool factor, he suggests. “The image of the guitar hero and all that” was likely what attracted them.
Sweeney chuckles as he remarks, “It’s amusing now since nobody seems to focus on the guitar. Young people approach me, curious about my methods, and it feels like they’re saying, ‘Wow, isn’t it amazing that you still hand-stitch your clothes when everyone else wears store-bought ones.’
Initially, The Hard Quartet commenced recording their album in New York City. However, they completed it at Shangri-La studio in Malibu, which is owned by producer Rick Rubin – a professional with whom Sweeney has collaborated often as a session player, contributing to albums of artists like Adele, Johnny Cash, and Neil Diamond. An interesting tidbit about the well-connected Sweeney: The rehearsal space where The Hard Quartet practices in North Hollywood belongs to Bob Brunner, whose father was a writing partner on the popular TV show “Happy Days” with the late Garry Marshall, whose son Scott played bass in Chavez.
× For the tenderly rhythmic “Rio’s Song,” penned by Sweeney in remembrance of his friend Rio Hackford, the actor and tavern owner who passed away in 2022, the band filmed a music video as a faithful recreation of the Rolling Stones’ delightful early-MTV-era clip for “Waiting on a Friend.” When asked about the Stones’ longevity being inspiring, Kelly responds, “I find it impressive that rock ‘n’ roll continues to resonate with them. They are still striving to connect with it instead of thinking, ‘I’m too old for this.’
In 2002, Sweeney attended a Stones concert at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom with his friend David Pajo, an accomplished indie-rock artist who collaborated with him in Billy Corgan’s temporary band Zwan. They joked beforehand about the possibility of the Stones performing “Turd on the Run”. To their surprise, they played almost every song they desired. The show began with “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and the crowd went wild as Bono unexpectedly joined them on stage. This left Sweeney and his friend feeling so disgruntled that they decided to leave in protest.
Speaking of the U2 frontman, has anyone in the Hard Quartet been to Sphere in Las Vegas?
Malkmus mentions that he’s familiar with the place because Phish performed there. He also admits to being a fan of Phish, albeit unintentionally. He explained that he stumbled upon their content in his recommended feed at some point, and now if he checks it out…
“This is Twitter-related?” Sweeney asks.
Malkmus explains, “Absolutely, there’s this feature called ‘For You,’ which is like an instant, eerie algorithm that makes you question your choices right away.” He continues, “Imagine trying heroin just once and it consuming the rest of your life. It’s similar, but in a social media context.
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2024-11-28 01:01