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Soundtrack minds
Headquarters puts its British-invasion chops to work on the theme music for the film "American Mod."
By DAWN EDEN
Offoffoff.com
"Never mind the movie; did you hear the soundtrack?"
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| HEADQUARTERS |
Charles Wallace (vocals, guitars)
Arly Silver (guitars, vocals)
Jay B. Flatt (bass, vocals)
Mick Oliver (drums).
Related links:
Official site
| "American Mod" movie site
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| AUDIO |
| Cakewalk (theme from "American Mod") | RA | | | |
| Groove On Tight | RA | | | |
| Metamorphisun | RA | | | |
| © Headquarters. Used by permission. |
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That could be said about many of the celluloid efforts of the psychedelic
Sixties, which spawned a host of trippy soundtracks — many of them,
like Pink Floyd's "More" and George Harrison's "Wonderwall
Music," more famous than their films. Although the
makers of the new indie short "American Mod" naturally hope that their film
will make a name for itself, the seriously groovy, pitifully brief
(clocking in at under 20 minutes) "Cakewalk: Original Soundtrack for the
Film American Mod" (hear it here) threatens to enter more hearts and homes.
The soundtrack marks the debut of the New York City band Headquarters,
who were previously unknown except to the followers of New York Britpop
dance parties like Tiswas. Like all good Mods, what Headquarters lacks in
the resume department, it more than makes up for in the wardrobe
department, with perfect Steve Marriott-cum-Paul Weller haircuts and
Carnaby Street threads. Likewise, although they share their name with the
Monkees album that topped the charts during the Summer of Love, they take
their musical cues from the other side of the Atlantic.
A true Modernist will tell you that the title "American Mod" is an
oxymoron, because the term "Mod" cannot be separated from its working-class
British origins. Likewise, there were only a few bands in the Sixties — like
the early Who, Small Faces, and Action — who truly encapsulated true Mod
style and attitude. Since then, some have expanded the Mod moniker to
include psychedelic and freakbeat artists like the Move, late-Seventies Mod
aspirants like the Jam, and, more recently, Mod-inspired Britpop acts like
Supergrass, Blur, and even Oasis.
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The Mod scene is notoriously insular, which is why many local bands who
play Mod-influenced music, like the
Gripweeds and the
Anderson Council, while appreciating the scene, are reluctant to fully
identify themselves with it. Headquarters, conversely, wrap themselves in
the Mod banner like the Who in the Union Jack.
At first glance, Headquarters seem unlikely spokesmen for New York Mods,
as their music and style is influenced more by the velvet-clad Swinging
London holdouts of late-Sixties Britsploitation flicks like "The
Touchables" than by the parka-wearing, scooter-riding masses of
"Quadrophenia."
Make that early Pink Floyd. Granted, Headquarters leader Charles
Wallace has a more flexible voice than Syd Barrett, with a low, sexy
baritone that evokes early Marc Bolan. Still, on tracks like "Groove on
Tight," his trippy chord changes and surreal wordplay captures the feeling
of the Floyd's earliest pop-psych. Conversely, the crunchy "Binoculars" has
a sinister feel, recalling modern Floyd devotees the Soft Boys, but is
laden with ear candy, like "Eight Miles High"-style guitars and super-creamy backing
vocals. The reverb-soaked guitar on another highlight, "Candy
Needs," borders on surf-psych, but with a stripped-down, back-porch
arrangement like the Small Faces' "The Universal." Only "Cakewalk (Theme
for an American Mod)" flops, borrowing too closely from Booker T. & The
MGs' "Green Onions."
Whether or not "American Mod" really will cause a rush on Vespa dealers,
it has already earned a niche in New York City pop lore for bringing forth
Headquarters. Put on "Cakewalk," close your eyes, and make your own
paisley-patterned movie.
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MAY 19, 2001
OFFOFFOFF.COM • THE GUIDE TO ALTERNATIVE NEW YORK
Reader comments on Headquarters:
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| • | HQ show review from Richie, May 18, 2001 |
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| • | More bands like HQ! from Jeremy, July 13, 2001 |
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| • | mp3.com/trolley for more mod inspiration from Pauly, Aug. 26, 2001 |
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| • | better than MOD from Kate, March 18, 2002 |
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| • | amazing from caroline, Nov. 18, 2002 |
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| • | they're back!!! from Sharon, Jan. 28, 2004 |
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| • | HQ Album from Ian Hall, March 22, 2004 |
| | • | Re: HQ Album from , April 13, 2004 |
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| • | Whatever happened to Arly Silver? from Jane, Aug. 26, 2004 |
| | • | Re: Whatever happened to Arly Silver? from HQ, Dec. 13, 2004 |
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