It’s (almost) summer in the city; perfect weather for listening to Versus, a band I’ve been wanting to write about on RTH for a while now.
In one light, Versus were among the more prominent also-rans of ’90s indie-rock. As this article points out, they were maybe not as distinctive, unique and rock-crit-friendly as Pavement, Superchunk, Guided by Voices, and others. But they were reliable and breezy. They had a great handle on guitar parts that moved seamlessly between grinding and jangly. Their songs were often briskly rhythmic and effortlessly melodic—sometimes even heart-rending—without ever devolving into fussy, overarranged prock.
The band has always been led by its two singers, guitarist Richard Baluyut (right, above) and bassist Fontaine Toups (center). For most of the band’s existence, Richard’s brother Ed (left) has played drums. Arguably, the band’s best albums are the ones that featured another Baluyut brother, James (not pictured) on second guitar.
Maybe what I like most about Versus is the way they come across as cool and urbane and yet folks-next-door. This was the great thing about indie-rock, before it became all about beards, NPR, and acoustic guitars. Discovering and re-discovering Versus is like discovering and re-discovering the city all over again. Not a particular city, necessarily; just the idea of The City as a place where you can meet like-minded individuals, have your horizons subtly expanded and so forth. This music makes me want to go to coffeeshops and used bookstores and get a job in the doomed field of alternative-weekly journalism all over again.
Thanks for writing, Oats. Versus is one of those bands I’ve heard of a bazillion times and couldn’t really describe their sound. They remind me of a lot of the other boy/girl singer bands of that era, especially Swirlies, Velocity Girl and (a little bit) Poster Children. I especially liked “Circles” and “Tin Foil Star,” probably because they remind me of those other bands (and MBV).
First of all, great piece, Oats. I really like the idea of a record representing one’s discovery of The City. The way you put it puts the tastes of generations I was too young or too old to have experienced during my prime years of discovery squarely into focus. Dig the music or not, your framing of things makes a lot of sense.
I’ve heard this band a couple of times over the last few years and like them more than many of their peers. I’ve always confused them with other bands from the late-’80s and ’90s with oppositional names: For Against, Girls Against Boys. I’m never sure which of these bands I like more than others; the safe bet is I really don’t like any of them. This band sticks out, though. They remind me of that Chicago band from the ’80s that you and sammymaudlin dig…I’m blanking on their name. I think they have a number in the name, maybe 13? All I can remember now, though, is that my first girlfriend dated one of the guys in that band a couple of years after she’d broken up with me. In-between me and the guy in that band she dated a woman, so that helped soften the blow a bit. It was more like she switched sports than changed teams.
1. “This was the great thing about indie-rock, before it became all about beards NPR, and acoustic guitars.” AMEN
2. Dan Harris…indie rock fan, huh?
3. I think what is often overlooked of the early-mid 90’s alterna-indie scene is the how many bands featured female vocals or band members. I can’t think of another movement except for the Girl Group era where this has happened. This list could go on with Elastica, MBV, Lush, Velocity Girl, J. Hatfield, Echobelly, Sleeper, Mangnapop, the Riot Grrl scene, just off the top of my head. Granted, not all these were “great” but there was plenty of good.
4. I remember hearing Versus, but completely forgot about them. Thanks for the memories.
5. While searching for more Versus videos I came up with this gem. http://youtu.be/oTQOmksJq3s
Drop 19s? Urge Overkill?
Oh, Lord, that Versus is a Christian-funk Curiosity Killed the Cat!
Mr. Mod is referring to Eleventh Dream Day. They’re a little bit more into the hairy jams than Versus. Kinda like a cross between X and Crazy Horse. Both bands, however, probably lead to the sound of Wussy, who are currently my favorite band in the universe.
Glad you guys enjoyed this post. Thanks!
Versus had earned a certain level of respectability in the indie-rock world, so they got to open many a show in Philly. But every time I saw them, I came away fairly unimpressed. They seemed to follow a standard guitar rock template, with nothing that stood out, They had none of the punk attitude of Superchunk, or the dark intensity of Seam, or the kinetic grooves of Butterglory.
They would merit recognition in a history of the 90s scene–just as Herman’s Hermits would do so in a history of the British Invasion.