It’s the commitment, the dichotomy, that best describes ‚The Base’. Lipstick-red lips, biting tough, raw flesh. The foundation is an uncompromising tightrope walk in the battlefields of rock, avoiding cliche with a cold female elegance and accompanied by sweaty guitar riffs with a masculine force that put a spell even on the skeptic.
The new album ‚16 Songs In Self Defense’ is an homage to dichotomy, celebrated by a mature trio consisting of Norbert Wally (guitar/vocals), Albrecht Klinger (guitar/bass/vocals) and Karlheinz Milkin Jr. (drums/vocals). Their influences are widespread, having been touched by Velvet Underground and the Pixies, hectic Slavic breaks, melodies a la Lambchops and R.E.M style choruses.
The Base project a dark film inside the listeners head, flickering images of charm and smoke, booze and the last great love. Yet the listener is director with all power in the interpretation. The instruments are given enough space to create an organic listening experience, a true jam-session feel.
‚I Went To The Bathroom To Cry’ is one of these songs. Norbert Wally provides vocals, his unmistakable hoarse voice echoing with melancholy and resignation. Yet the gloom is not oppressive, more a gentle touch on the back. ‚The Base’ demonstrate their high international level with ‘Dirty Little Hole’ just as easily as with ‘Wearing The Tits’ or ‘Sugar Free Baby’, which continues the trio’s ballad tradition.
But The Base takes a step further: the mind-blowing intro shows guts, the same that manifest in the unconventionally arranged ‘55 Days’, a paean to experimentation. ‘Did Dr. What’s-Her-Name Raise Your Dosage?’ is six minutes of versatile song-writing, a high that will not be forgotten any time soon by Austria’s alternative scene. Dry riffs pair up with 60’s chorus, magnificent solos and a chill down your spine.
more infos (press, bio ...) on www.fm-music.at/thebase.html
Buffalo People - by The Base
directed by Johanna Moder
produced by Film Academy Vienna
The Base live @ Spielboden, Dornbirn
Video by Ulrich Schwendinger, VOL Live
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Not My Dog
WINNER 'ROCKIN MOVIES AWARD 2008'
music by The Base
directed by johanna moder
produced by film academy vienna
*** a few details to be added ***
concert work in Austria, Slovenia, Great Britain and the USA
discography
Jet Crash Kills (EP/EMV/1996)
The End of the 20th Century Depression (EP/1997)
Ducks and Diners (LP/SBF/1999)
Toasted@TiB (Live LP/2002)
Sunday Morning Rituals (LP/2003)
Things to remember/ways to forget (LP/Ixthtuluh/2006)
15 For The Jukebox (LP/monkey./Hoanzl, AUT/Broken Silence, GER/CH/2008)
16 Songs In Self Defense (LP/fm music/Hoanzl, AUT/2009)
