The Unprounceable's music speaks for itself
By Rachel Kalina

February 6, 2004

"We come from very different backgrounds," explained bassist Adam Gustavson of The Unpronounceable, after a stunningly impressive show on Friday in the Union. He continued on to list "acoustic, jazz, and folk" as components of the band's collective development as musicians. Such categorizations were only mere hints of the flavor to be discerned in The Unpronounceable's music.

Whereas most current bands tend to reflect modern influences, The Unpronounceable combines past and present with their own style. The band's influences were said to range from "Black Sabbath, to Radiohead, to Duke Ellington, and music from the '30s." Ballads like "Too Much" were reminiscent of primitive radio tunes crackling in the foreground of a black-and-white scene. The award-winning "Ugly" was more upbeat and rock-oriented, and had many audience members dancing in a frenzy, including some of the Binghamton Ballroom dancers.

Also well received were the fast-paced drum solos performed by Phil Guidi and the effect of pianist and bassist Dan Kinsley. While Guidi said that "in college I turned more to jazz," he started out with an affinity for hard rock music. "Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, and Primus," Guidi continued, were some of the original inspirations for his musical inclinations.

Lead singer and bass player Pete Gustavson interspersed sets with his sagacious wit. At times he promoted the band in a jocular manner which many musicians are unable to accomplish. His quip accounting for the merits of purchasing an Unpronounceable album followed the simple reasoning that "everyone should own something, someday."

Initially The Unpronounceable started when Pete and Dan met at Lehigh College in the mid-'90s. Phil's entrance into the band completed the quartet, which was also formulated with the help of some Gustavson's relatives. Adam's light-hearted smile as he talks about the group's origin encompasses everything about this band. Each member has a sense of humor and palpable devotion to creative music.

While they were enthusiastic to be up in Binghamton, The Unpronounceable spends most of their time in New York City, frequenting hot-spot lounges such as the C-Note. Their new CD, Live At Binghamton, was recorded in 2002 and was just released in December. Binghamton students who came to Friday's show were rewarded with some of these tracks, along with many others worth enjoying.

© 2004 Pipe Dream, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY

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