Get Into the Act: the unpronounceable

By Tony Sienzant

August 22, 2002

From the toe tapping humor of "I’m Ugly" to a cool eclectic rendition of Black Sabbath’s "Iron Man," the unpronounceable has carved out viable territory on the local scene. The six-piece ensemble swaps instruments on stage to play an original mix of swing jazz and blues rock sprinkled with the inflections of rockabilly and jam band improvisation. Strains of Duke Ellington, Radiohead, Muddy Waters and George Gershwin combine for a concoction of sound similar to the Long Island Iced Tea: indescribable, tasty and powerful.

The group is making a name for itself beyond the Valley. On Saturday [August 24, 2002] in New York City it will kick off "Tourbaby," a tour created by the largest online retailer of indie music, CD Baby, featuring local talent across 54 cities.

The unpronounceable sport a retro look. Frontman Pete Gustavson uses an old vintage microphone and dresses in the same sharkskin suits his grandfather wore during his jazz piano days. To gain an old upright bass from his aunt, Pete’s brother Adam traded his car.

Pete and Dan Kinsley were a coffeeshop duo in 1996. The band evolved when they shared housing with fellow Lehigh University student Phil Guidi, a drummer. They made the band official by using the name the unpronounceable, which has no philosophical or spiritual connotation. "We’re not trying to be pretentious, just a little bit different," remarks Kinsley.

The band plays Philadelphia (Tin Angel, Grape Street Pub), New York and local clubs. "Elementary Physics," its second "official" album, is planned for mid-September.

© 2002 The Morning Call, Allentown, PA