Rising Longwave
"The only wat The Strokes inspire us is in being very good," states bushy-haried Longwave
frontman Steve Schlitz firmly. "It's good to be from New York right now, just because there's a
lot of great bands around, and that raises te profile for all of us. But we don't all sound the same."
With their oh-so-hip curly manes, a musical orientation that nods towards such '80s experimentalists as Psychedelic Furs and Television, as well as much-lauded recent UK tour supporting The Strokes under their belts, it's easy to see how Longwave could be hurled headlong into the hype machine. But while Schiltz - along with guitarist Shannon Ferguson, drummer Mike James and bassist Dave Marchese - acknowledge the odd similarity to their hometown friends, theirs is a more grandoise take on the arty post-punk shtick.
"I'd never actually heard of any of the groups we get compared to when we made our first independant record," says the friendly Schiltz. "I was actually into U2, The Pixies, Radiohead..."
The last band in that list gives you a clue as to where these four young musicians want to take their band, and both their first single, the double A-sided 'Exit/Ambien', and stunning newie 'Tidal Wave' display the kind of sweeping ambition and downbeat sensitivity made so popular by the revered Oxford miseries. While Longwave are in no way as angst-ridden, Schiltz' toughtful, gentle lyrics and rich, warm voice are aimed at your heartstrings.
"It feels like my job in the band is to be very emotional," he says. "It's encouraged in a way, like if you're in a band and you're upset you can take that to the extra step and.."
"Have a tantrum?" askes guitarist Shannon.
"Actually," laughs Steve, "I was going to say, 'Throw my guitar at the drummer'."
Ashley Bird Kerrang! August 31 2002
