"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
02/25/11
This year, we have a very exciting showcase featuring Merge freshmen and a couple of old friends! Get there early to meet newest Merge signees Times New Viking and stay late to see the only nighttime WILD FLAG show of the festival! In between, Apex Manor, Telekinesis & Wye Oak will be sharing songs from their new albums out this spring, and American Music Club & Versus will make a rare appearance in Austin for the festival.
Visit the Merge store to sample the most recent albums from all seven bands, and to pre-order their upcoming releases!
Merge @ SXSW 2011
Friday, March 18
The Parish (214 E. 6th Street)
Austin, TX
Doors at 7p
WILD FLAG 12:45a
Wye Oak 11:45p
Versus 10:45p
American Music Club 9:45p
Telekinesis 9p
Apex Manor 8:15p
Times New Viking 7:30p
Also, we are joining forces with the Home Slice Pizza “Music by the Slice” party again!
Home Slice Pizza
MXTS Party
1415 South Congress
Austin, TX
Thursday, March 17
Apex Manor 3:30 p
American Music Club 5p
Friday, March 18
Versus 1p
Saturday, March 19
Times New Viking 2:20 p
Wye Oak 3:30 p
Be sure to follow Merge on twitter and check back for more opportunities to see our bands at SXSW!
Visit the Merge store to sample the most recent albums from all seven bands, and to pre-order their upcoming releases!
Merge @ SXSW 2011
Friday, March 18
The Parish (214 E. 6th Street)
Austin, TX
Doors at 7p
WILD FLAG 12:45a
Wye Oak 11:45p
Versus 10:45p
American Music Club 9:45p
Telekinesis 9p
Apex Manor 8:15p
Times New Viking 7:30p
Also, we are joining forces with the Home Slice Pizza “Music by the Slice” party again!
Home Slice Pizza
MXTS Party
1415 South Congress
Austin, TX
Thursday, March 17
Apex Manor 3:30 p
American Music Club 5p
Friday, March 18
Versus 1p
Saturday, March 19
Times New Viking 2:20 p
Wye Oak 3:30 p
Be sure to follow Merge on twitter and check back for more opportunities to see our bands at SXSW!
12/17/10
Versus will head west for dates this spring to promote their new album On the Ones and Threes. Don’t miss your chance to see Versus live!
Feb 22 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
Feb 23 San Francisco, CA – Café du Nord (Noise Pop Festival) w/ Telekinesis & The Love Language
Feb 25 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
Feb 26 Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
“With the original lineup reconvening for their first album in a decade, Versus equal the eclectic, tautly melodic indie pop they crafted throughout the ’90s.” ~Spin Magazine
On the Ones and Threes is available on CD, deluxe dbl-LP and digital download in the Merge store.
Feb 22 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
Feb 23 San Francisco, CA – Café du Nord (Noise Pop Festival) w/ Telekinesis & The Love Language
Feb 25 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
Feb 26 Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
“With the original lineup reconvening for their first album in a decade, Versus equal the eclectic, tautly melodic indie pop they crafted throughout the ’90s.” ~Spin Magazine
On the Ones and Threes is available on CD, deluxe dbl-LP and digital download in the Merge store.
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
Insomnia/Astronaut :: 7" (Land Speed) 1992
Bright Light/Forest Fire :: 7" (Pop Narcotic) 1992
Let's Electrify :: CDEP (Remora) 1993
The Stars Are Insane :: CD (TeenBeat) 1993
split 7" w/ Scrawl :: 7" (Simple Machines) 1993
Frog/Go Tell It On The Mountain :: 7" (K Records) 1994
Big Head On/N.I.T.A. :: 7" (TeenBeat) 1994
Dead Leaves :: CD (TeenBeat) 1995
Deep Red :: CDEP (TeenBeat) 1996
Yeah You (UK only) :: 7"/CD5 (Caroline) 1996
Secret Swingers :: CD (Caroline) 1996
Glitter of Love (UK only) :: 7"/CD5 (Caroline) 1996
Two Cents Plus Tax :: CD (Caroline) 1998
Afterglow :: CDEP (Merge) 1999
Shangri-La :: CD5 (Merge) 2000
Hurrah :: CD/LP (Merge) 2000
Insound Tour Support Series No. 16 (Drawn and Quartered) :: CDEP (Insound) 2000
On the Ones and Threes :: CD/LP (Merge) 2010
Bright Light/Forest Fire :: 7" (Pop Narcotic) 1992
Let's Electrify :: CDEP (Remora) 1993
The Stars Are Insane :: CD (TeenBeat) 1993
split 7" w/ Scrawl :: 7" (Simple Machines) 1993
Frog/Go Tell It On The Mountain :: 7" (K Records) 1994
Big Head On/N.I.T.A. :: 7" (TeenBeat) 1994
Dead Leaves :: CD (TeenBeat) 1995
Deep Red :: CDEP (TeenBeat) 1996
Yeah You (UK only) :: 7"/CD5 (Caroline) 1996
Secret Swingers :: CD (Caroline) 1996
Glitter of Love (UK only) :: 7"/CD5 (Caroline) 1996
Two Cents Plus Tax :: CD (Caroline) 1998
Afterglow :: CDEP (Merge) 1999
Shangri-La :: CD5 (Merge) 2000
Hurrah :: CD/LP (Merge) 2000
Insound Tour Support Series No. 16 (Drawn and Quartered) :: CDEP (Insound) 2000
On the Ones and Threes :: CD/LP (Merge) 2010
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