"Sometimes I think we'd be better off after the apocalypse. Just bring it back a couple hundred years. No electricity or gasoline. Acoustic guitars are okay," says Versus frontman Richard Baluyut, after a long discussion reminiscing about the palpable danger at Butthole Surfers and Sonic Youth shows during the filth and fecund creative ground that was NYC during the '80s, and the subsequent sanitizing of both bands and music venues in the city.
On the Ones and Threes' brooding themes are explained bluntly by Richard: "Well, I'm just a dark person, and I get more nihilistic the older I get."
Even bassist Fontaine Toups, who assumes lead vocal duties on a handful of tracks, isn't immune to the cynicism. On the gorgeously chiming "Scientists," she keens "Feeling so happy/The end will come soon" over sun-bleached melodies that belie the song's decidedly morose sentiment.
The nihilism comes to an apex on closing track "The Ones and Threes." As a funereal organ gives way to a cacophonous maelstrom of guitars, Richard resignedly urges, "Yes I am the number thirteen/In elevator society/Why be superstitious/When we're all just specks of dust/You can't help it and I can't stop it," as Toups' guardian-angel backing vocals evince the band's greatest strength: the way the pair's voices bleed together so seamlessly. It's the darkest song on the darkest record Versus has ever made.
"That's pretty much my worldview right there. It's about being out of step with everyone else, like Minor Threat!" Richard wryly volunteers. "It's also a joke about Europeans clapping," he laughs. The double entendre illustrates the conundrum at the heart of Versus, that of dark humor obscuring the sheer emotion at the core of what they do.
On the Ones and Threes is the band's first LP in ten years and possibly their best. From the nascent verve of 1993's epochal debut The Stars Are Insane to the more haphazard yet equally great Secret Swingers (1996), on through the glossier pop sheen of Two Cents Plus Tax (1998) and 2000's apparent swan song Hurrah, the band has consistently astounded. But On the Ones and Threes is something of a return to form, featuring the reappearances of original member Edward Baluyut, and engineer Nicolas Vernhes (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Cat Power, Spoon) who worked on Secret Swingers and Two Cents Plus Tax.
"Ed's more of an arranger and a guitar player, which shapes his more unorthodox drumming style," Richard says. And regarding Vernhes and his fabled studio Rare Book Room, he explains, "He becomes a member of the band, and gets equal rights as far as I'm concerned. He absolutely understands what we're trying to do."
In the decade since the release of Hurrah, many newer bands have emerged from NYC to achieve mega-success. Hard to believe that Versus were once among the most talked-about bands in the city, courted by majors during the post-Nirvana feeding frenzy, releasing two records on Caroline in the late '90s and touring relentlessly. But even though they may have slipped your minds, they're still one of the best bands out there-gritty yet melodic, beautiful yet explosive, balanced on the brink in a way that has become somewhat of a lost art.
As native Detroit-area residents, Richard and I discuss at length Detroit Tigers baseball, in particular the magical teams of '84 and '87, and some of their finest players: Lou Whitaker, number 1; Alan Trammell, number 3; and Lance Parrish, number 13. Coincidence? And he says of shortstop Trammell, both of our childhood favorites, "Should be in the Hall of Fame. Never got the recognition he deserves. He's a bit low-key." He pauses, then continues, "Sort of like Versus, I suppose," said without the slightest tinge of bitterness or regret. In fact, it borders on pride, and this off-the-cuff comment illustrates just what's so great about Versus. They don't need the accolades. All three members have day jobs and lives away from the band. Their music speaks for itself, and it's as good as ever on the stunning On the Ones and Threes.
-John Everhart, with help from Jeff Gramm
On the Ones and Threes' brooding themes are explained bluntly by Richard: "Well, I'm just a dark person, and I get more nihilistic the older I get."
Even bassist Fontaine Toups, who assumes lead vocal duties on a handful of tracks, isn't immune to the cynicism. On the gorgeously chiming "Scientists," she keens "Feeling so happy/The end will come soon" over sun-bleached melodies that belie the song's decidedly morose sentiment.
The nihilism comes to an apex on closing track "The Ones and Threes." As a funereal organ gives way to a cacophonous maelstrom of guitars, Richard resignedly urges, "Yes I am the number thirteen/In elevator society/Why be superstitious/When we're all just specks of dust/You can't help it and I can't stop it," as Toups' guardian-angel backing vocals evince the band's greatest strength: the way the pair's voices bleed together so seamlessly. It's the darkest song on the darkest record Versus has ever made.
"That's pretty much my worldview right there. It's about being out of step with everyone else, like Minor Threat!" Richard wryly volunteers. "It's also a joke about Europeans clapping," he laughs. The double entendre illustrates the conundrum at the heart of Versus, that of dark humor obscuring the sheer emotion at the core of what they do.
On the Ones and Threes is the band's first LP in ten years and possibly their best. From the nascent verve of 1993's epochal debut The Stars Are Insane to the more haphazard yet equally great Secret Swingers (1996), on through the glossier pop sheen of Two Cents Plus Tax (1998) and 2000's apparent swan song Hurrah, the band has consistently astounded. But On the Ones and Threes is something of a return to form, featuring the reappearances of original member Edward Baluyut, and engineer Nicolas Vernhes (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Cat Power, Spoon) who worked on Secret Swingers and Two Cents Plus Tax.
"Ed's more of an arranger and a guitar player, which shapes his more unorthodox drumming style," Richard says. And regarding Vernhes and his fabled studio Rare Book Room, he explains, "He becomes a member of the band, and gets equal rights as far as I'm concerned. He absolutely understands what we're trying to do."
In the decade since the release of Hurrah, many newer bands have emerged from NYC to achieve mega-success. Hard to believe that Versus were once among the most talked-about bands in the city, courted by majors during the post-Nirvana feeding frenzy, releasing two records on Caroline in the late '90s and touring relentlessly. But even though they may have slipped your minds, they're still one of the best bands out there-gritty yet melodic, beautiful yet explosive, balanced on the brink in a way that has become somewhat of a lost art.
As native Detroit-area residents, Richard and I discuss at length Detroit Tigers baseball, in particular the magical teams of '84 and '87, and some of their finest players: Lou Whitaker, number 1; Alan Trammell, number 3; and Lance Parrish, number 13. Coincidence? And he says of shortstop Trammell, both of our childhood favorites, "Should be in the Hall of Fame. Never got the recognition he deserves. He's a bit low-key." He pauses, then continues, "Sort of like Versus, I suppose," said without the slightest tinge of bitterness or regret. In fact, it borders on pride, and this off-the-cuff comment illustrates just what's so great about Versus. They don't need the accolades. All three members have day jobs and lives away from the band. Their music speaks for itself, and it's as good as ever on the stunning On the Ones and Threes.
-John Everhart, with help from Jeff Gramm
08/11/10
Versus released their new album, On the Ones and Threes last week and are playing their CD release show in Brooklyn at Rock Shop on Thursday night. To celebrate, we searched our video vaults for this performance from XX Merge of “Scientists.”
Watch the video below, see Versus on tour, and buy On the Ones and Threes on CD, deluxe-edition dbl-LP and digital download now in the Merge store!
photo by PJ Sykes
Click here to view the embedded video.
Versus on tour:
8/12 Brooklyn, NY Rock Shop CD release show w/ True Love Always
8/13 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace w/ Polvo
8/14 Montreal, QC Cabaret Juste Pour Rire w/ Polvo
9/21 Boston, MA Royale w/ Superchunk
9/22 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre w/ Superchunk & Jenny and Johnny
Watch the video below, see Versus on tour, and buy On the Ones and Threes on CD, deluxe-edition dbl-LP and digital download now in the Merge store!
photo by PJ Sykes
Click here to view the embedded video.
Versus on tour:
8/12 Brooklyn, NY Rock Shop CD release show w/ True Love Always
8/13 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace w/ Polvo
8/14 Montreal, QC Cabaret Juste Pour Rire w/ Polvo
9/21 Boston, MA Royale w/ Superchunk
9/22 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre w/ Superchunk & Jenny and Johnny
07/26/10
The long-awaited new Versus album, On the Ones and Threes is available for pre-order on CD and deluxe-edition double-LP now in the Merge store. The deluxe-edition double-LP format will feature an alternate sequence and two additional tracks from the album’s recording sessions. These extra tracks are available as a bonus for immediate download when you pre-order the CD or the deluxe double-LP in the Merge store now.
Stream On the Ones and Threes in its entirety now in the Merge store, and check out how cool the double-LP looks on the Merge blog.
Versus have added an Brooklyn CD release show on August 12 at Rock Shop to the recently announced new tour dates with Polvo and Superchunk.
“On the Ones and Threes offers a perfect example of someone’s second or third act being both an achievement worth recognition and a catalyst for a reevaluation of its creators’ body of work.” ~Under the Radar
Versus on tour:
8/12 Brooklyn, NY Rock Shop CD release show w/ True Love Always
8/13 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace w/ Polvo
8/14 Montreal, QC Cabaret Juste Pour Rire w/ Polvo
9/21 Boston, MA Royale w/ Superchunk
9/22 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre w/ Superchunk & Jenny and Johnny
Stream On the Ones and Threes in its entirety now in the Merge store, and check out how cool the double-LP looks on the Merge blog.
Versus have added an Brooklyn CD release show on August 12 at Rock Shop to the recently announced new tour dates with Polvo and Superchunk.
“On the Ones and Threes offers a perfect example of someone’s second or third act being both an achievement worth recognition and a catalyst for a reevaluation of its creators’ body of work.” ~Under the Radar
Versus on tour:
8/12 Brooklyn, NY Rock Shop CD release show w/ True Love Always
8/13 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace w/ Polvo
8/14 Montreal, QC Cabaret Juste Pour Rire w/ Polvo
9/21 Boston, MA Royale w/ Superchunk
9/22 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre w/ Superchunk & Jenny and Johnny
05/17/10
On August 3, Versus will release On the Ones and Threes on CD and deluxe-edition double-LP.
On the Ones and Threes is the band’s first LP in ten years, and possibly their best. From the nascent verve of 1993’s epochal debut The Stars Are Insane to the more haphazard yet equally great Secret Swingers (1996), on through the glossier pop sheen of Two Cents Plus Tax (1998) and 2000’s apparent swansong Hurrah, Versus has consistently astounded. And even though it’s been a decade since we’ve heard from them, they’re still one of the best bands out there—gritty yet melodic, serene yet explosive, and balanced on the brink in a way that has become somewhat of a lost art.
On the Ones and Threes is something of a return to form, featuring the reappearances of original member Edward Baluyut, and engineer Nicolas Vernhes (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Cat Power, Spoon) who worked on Secret Swingers and Two Cents Plus Tax.
The deluxe-edition double-LP format will feature an alternate sequence and two additional tracks from the album’s recording sessions. These extra tracks will also be available as a bonus for immediate download when you pre-order the CD or the deluxe double-LP in the Merge store beginning June 8.
In July, Versus will join the Teen-Beat 26th Anniversary tour for shows at the Bell House in Brooklyn (sold out) and the Black Cat in DC. More tour dates are in the works for later this summer.
Stereogum.com premiered the first track from On the Ones and Threes today. Download “Invincible Hero” now!
Track Listing (CD):
1. Invincible Hero
2. Nu Skin
3. Into Blue
4. Gone to Earth
5. Cicada
6. Erstwhile
7. Pink Valhalla
8. Saturday Saints
9. Scientists
10. The Ones and Threes
Track Listing (deluxe-edition double-LP):
1. Death Ray
2. Invincible Hero
3. Erstwhile
4. Gone To Earth
5. Cicada
6. Into Blue
7. Saturday Saints
8. Scientists
9. Neither Nor
10. The Ones and Threes
11. Pink Valhalla
12. Nu Skin
On the Ones and Threes is the band’s first LP in ten years, and possibly their best. From the nascent verve of 1993’s epochal debut The Stars Are Insane to the more haphazard yet equally great Secret Swingers (1996), on through the glossier pop sheen of Two Cents Plus Tax (1998) and 2000’s apparent swansong Hurrah, Versus has consistently astounded. And even though it’s been a decade since we’ve heard from them, they’re still one of the best bands out there—gritty yet melodic, serene yet explosive, and balanced on the brink in a way that has become somewhat of a lost art.
On the Ones and Threes is something of a return to form, featuring the reappearances of original member Edward Baluyut, and engineer Nicolas Vernhes (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Cat Power, Spoon) who worked on Secret Swingers and Two Cents Plus Tax.
The deluxe-edition double-LP format will feature an alternate sequence and two additional tracks from the album’s recording sessions. These extra tracks will also be available as a bonus for immediate download when you pre-order the CD or the deluxe double-LP in the Merge store beginning June 8.
In July, Versus will join the Teen-Beat 26th Anniversary tour for shows at the Bell House in Brooklyn (sold out) and the Black Cat in DC. More tour dates are in the works for later this summer.
Stereogum.com premiered the first track from On the Ones and Threes today. Download “Invincible Hero” now!
Track Listing (CD):
1. Invincible Hero
2. Nu Skin
3. Into Blue
4. Gone to Earth
5. Cicada
6. Erstwhile
7. Pink Valhalla
8. Saturday Saints
9. Scientists
10. The Ones and Threes
Track Listing (deluxe-edition double-LP):
1. Death Ray
2. Invincible Hero
3. Erstwhile
4. Gone To Earth
5. Cicada
6. Into Blue
7. Saturday Saints
8. Scientists
9. Neither Nor
10. The Ones and Threes
11. Pink Valhalla
12. Nu Skin
| 09.21.2010 | Boston, MA | Royale | w/ Superchunk |
| 09.22.2010 | Philadelphia, PA | Trocadero Theatre | w/ Superchunk, Jenny & Johnny |
Insomnia/Astronaut [7"] (Land Speed) 1992
Bright Light/Forest Fire [7"] (Pop Narcotic) 1992
Let's Electrify [cd-ep] (Remora) 1993
The Stars Are Insane [cd] (Teen Beat) 1993
"Tin Foil Star" on January Working Holiday split w/ Scrawl [7"] (Simple Machines) 1993
Frog/Go Tell It On The Mountain [7"] (K) 1994
Big Head On/N.I.T.A. [7"] (Teen Beat) 1994
Dead Leaves [cd] (Teen Beat) 1994
"Tin Foil Star" on Working Holiday! comp. [cd] (Simple Machines) 1994
Deep Red [cd-ep] (Teen Beat) 1995
"Revielle" on Ear of the Dragon: 19 Asian American Bands comp. [cd] (Fortune-Four) 1995
Yeah You [7"/cd5] (Caroline) 1996
Secret Swingers [cd] (Caroline) 1996
Glitter of Love [7"/cd5] (Caroline UK) 1996
Two Cents Plus Tax [cd] (Caroline) 1997
Afterglow [cd-ep] (Merge) 1999
Shangri-La [cd5] (Merge) 2000
Hurrah [cd/lp] (Merge) 2000
On the Ones and Threes [cd/dbl-lp] 2010
Bright Light/Forest Fire [7"] (Pop Narcotic) 1992
Let's Electrify [cd-ep] (Remora) 1993
The Stars Are Insane [cd] (Teen Beat) 1993
"Tin Foil Star" on January Working Holiday split w/ Scrawl [7"] (Simple Machines) 1993
Frog/Go Tell It On The Mountain [7"] (K) 1994
Big Head On/N.I.T.A. [7"] (Teen Beat) 1994
Dead Leaves [cd] (Teen Beat) 1994
"Tin Foil Star" on Working Holiday! comp. [cd] (Simple Machines) 1994
Deep Red [cd-ep] (Teen Beat) 1995
"Revielle" on Ear of the Dragon: 19 Asian American Bands comp. [cd] (Fortune-Four) 1995
Yeah You [7"/cd5] (Caroline) 1996
Secret Swingers [cd] (Caroline) 1996
Glitter of Love [7"/cd5] (Caroline UK) 1996
Two Cents Plus Tax [cd] (Caroline) 1997
Afterglow [cd-ep] (Merge) 1999
Shangri-La [cd5] (Merge) 2000
Hurrah [cd/lp] (Merge) 2000
On the Ones and Threes [cd/dbl-lp] 2010
loading...
Arcade Fire [+]
| September | ||
| 02 | Bologna | Arena Parco Nord |
| 10 | Mexico City | Palacio de los Deportes |
| 22 | St. Paul, MN | Roy Wilkins Auditorium |
| 23 | Winnipeg, MB | MTS Centre |
| 25 | Saskatoon | Credit Union Centre |
| [see all] | ||
Lou Barlow [+]
| September | ||
| 02 | Cambridge, MA | Middle East |
| 03 | Philadelphia, PA | Johnny Brenda's |
| 04 | Hoboken, NJ | Maxwell's |
Richard Buckner [+]
| September | ||
| 07 | Charlottesville, VA | The Southern |
| 08 | Asheville, NC | The Grey Eagle |
| 09 | Columbia, SC | Columbia Museum of Art |
| 10 | Raleigh, NC | Hopscotch Music Festival |
| 11 | Charlotte, NC | Evening Muse |
| [see all] | ||
Caribou [+]
| September | ||
| 14 | Guelph, ON | Ebar |
| 15 | Ottawa, ON | Babylon |
| 16 | Montreal, QC | Le National |
| 17 | Toronto, ON | The Drake |
| 17 | Toronto, ON | Phoenix Theatre |
| [see all] | ||
The Clean [+]
| September | ||
| 28 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| 29 | Hoboken, NJ | Maxwell's |
| 30 | Chicago, IL | Bottom Lounge |
| October | ||
| 02 | Lawrence, KS | Granada Theater - SCION Festival |
| 04 | San Francisco, CA | The Independent |
| [see all] | ||
The Clientele [+]
| September | ||
| 06 | Seattle, WA | Bumbershoot |
| 07 | Portland, OR | Doug Fir |
| 09 | Oakland, CA | New Parish |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | Independent |
| 11 | Los Angeles, CA | Echoplex |
| [see all] | ||
Fucked Up [+]
| September | ||
| 05 | Monticello, NY | All Tomorrow's Parties |
| 09 | Washington, DC | Rock n' Roll Hotel |
| 10 | Raleigh, NC | Hopscotch Festival |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | The Drunken Unicorn |
| 12 | Charlotte, NC | Amos Southend |
| [see all] | ||
Lambchop [+]
| November | ||
| 11 | Berlin | Admiralspalast - 20 Years of City Slang |
| 22 | Katowice | Ars Cameralis Festival |
| 24 | Zagreb | Kino SC |
| 25 | Munich | Amerikahaus |
| 27 | Copenhagen | DR Concert House |
| [see all] | ||
Let's Wrestle [+]
| September | ||
| 04 | Los Angeles, CA | FYF Fest |
| 05 | Santa Barbara, CA | Club Mercy Presents |
| 06 | San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall |
| 08 | Seattle, WA | Neumo's |
| 09 | Vancouver, BC | Rickshaw Theatre |
| [see all] | ||
The Love Language [+]
| September | ||
| 03 | Atlanta, GA | The Earl |
| 03 | Atlanta, GA | Criminal Records |
| 04 | Charlotte, NC | Visulite Theatre |
| 09 | Winston Salem, NC | Earshot Records |
| 09 | Winston Salem, NC | Krankies |
| [see all] | ||
Conor Oberst [+]
| September | ||
| 28 | Pioneertown, CA | Pappy & Harriets |
| 30 | Santa Barbara, CA | Soho in SB |
| October | ||
| 01 | Big Sur, CA | Fernwood |
| 02 | San Francisco, CA | Hardly Strictly Bluegrass |
Polvo [+]
| November | ||
| 05 | Baton Rouge, LA | Spanish Moon |
| 06 | Houston, TX | Fitzgerald's Downstairs |
| 07 | Austin, TX | Fun Fun Fun Fest at Waterloo |
Radar Bros. [+]
| September | ||
| 24 | Montreal, QC | Le National |
| 25 | Boston, MA | Royale |
| 27 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| 28 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| October | ||
| 01 | Philadelphia, PA | Trocadero Theatre |
| [see all] | ||
The Rosebuds [+]
| September | ||
| 10 | Raleigh, NC | Hopscotch Festival |
Shark Quest [+]
| October | ||
| 09 | Carrboro, NC | Carrboro ArtsCenter |
She & Him [+]
| September | ||
| 05 | Los Angeles, CA | Paramount Studios |
| October | ||
| 17 | San Francisco, CA | Treasure Island |
| 22 | Portland, OR | Schnitzer Hall |
| 23 | Seattle, WA | City Arts Music Festival - 5th Avenue Theatre |
| 24 | Vancouver, BC | The Orpheum |
Spoon [+]
| September | ||
| 11 | Harrisburg, PA | The Forum |
| 12 | Clark, NJ | Oak Ridge Park |
| 13 | Brooklyn, NY | Music Hall of Williamsburg |
| 30 | Los Angeles, CA | Hollywood Palladium |
| October | ||
| 01 | San Diego, CA | Soma |
| [see all] | ||
Superchunk [+]
| September | ||
| 16 | Durham, NC | The Nasher Museum of Art |
| 17 | Washington | 9:30 Club |
| 18 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| 19 | Brooklyn, NY | Music Hall of Williamsburg |
| 21 | Boston, MA | Royale |
| [see all] | ||
Teenage Fanclub [+]
| September | ||
| 22 | Toronto, ON | The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern |
| 23 | Toronto, ON | The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern |
| 24 | Montreal, QC | Le National |
| 25 | Boston, MA | Royale |
| 27 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| [see all] | ||
Telekinesis [+]
| September | ||
| 02 | Chicago, IL | Lincoln Hall |
| 03 | Detroit, MI | Magic Stick |
| 04 | Toronto, ON | El Mocambo |
| 06 | Montreal, QC | Casa Del Popolo |
| 07 | Cambridge, MA | TT The Bear's |
| [see all] | ||
Versus [+]
| September | ||
| 21 | Boston, MA | Royale |
| 22 | Philadelphia, PA | Trocadero Theatre |
Wye Oak [+]
| September | ||
| 02 | Cambridge, MA | Middle East |
| 03 | Philadelphia, PA | Johnny Brenda's |
| 04 | Hoboken, NJ | Maxwell's |
| October | ||
| 04 | Lawrence, KS | Bottleneck |
| 05 | Columbia, MO | The Blue Note |
| [see all] | ||
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