shelton san

Estonian noise-rock band Shelton San was formed in 2002 in Tallinn. The current line-up includes two of the band’s original members – Valter Nõmm (guitar, vocals) and Andreas Johandi (second guitar, euphonium). In 2004, former bass player Ardo Kivi was replaced by Tambet Jurno (also a leader of a local underground dinosaur, Zahir); two years later Maik Rõngelep took the place of the former drummer Priit Mägi. Having established its reputation in local rock scene with their stunningly powerful live act, the band followed with an EP (aptly named „EP”) in 2005, which in turn was succeeded by a full-length release „Spontaneous Black” a year later. Despite this, Shelton San has somewhat struggled to capture their live potential in studio. Shelton San’s most notable concerts include performances in the Teenage Kicks concert series, at alternative music festival Plink Plonk, and a special live performance for Estonian national radio station, Raadio 2. The band has also performed in Latvia, Sweden and Germany. Critics have noted Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Quicksand, Queens Of The Stone Age and Joy Division amongst the band’s influences. Thus Shelton San’s sound might be described as a massive sonic wall, a blend of rationality and irrationality: screeching feedback, dissonant notes, indiscriminate vocals balancing across singing and screaming, combined with rock-solid drum and bass section, catchy guitar riffs and logical musical progression. Shelton San outlines order in chaos and where some hear randomness there is surely structure to follow. The best part of the band is its ability to create a thoroughly convincing whole. Although on some occasions the band will still have to mature their songwriting – effort would be well spent in varying the pace of material that sometimes tends to drag on without purpose – at its peak („Platonist”, „Hustle Hutch”, „In This Very Moment”), Shelton San is elaborate, but not sterile; hypnotic, but not annoyingly monotonous; nuanced, but not overwhelming; raw, but not sloppy. As noted by Estonian music critic, Mart Juur: „There’s nothing redundant. Beautiful, grand, horrifying. In the end, there are ruins and void.”releases: "ep" (seks003) 2005 "spontaneous black" (forwards)appears on compilations: "kohalik & kohatu" (seks002) and "garage & mürage" (www.sewercide.ee)