I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: March 16, 2023] Versus

Back in the 90s, I loved a whole bunch of band that I discovered from a compilation called Ear of the Dragon.  I had known some of the bands already (which is why I bought the compilation).  It featured bands like The Dambuilders, aMiniature, Seam and Versus.

I loved everything about Versus.  Their sound was interesting–catchy and dissonant alternately.  And I loved the vocals of Richard Baluyut and Fontaine Toups (who has the best name in music).  They put out a number of albums and EPs in the 1990s and t hen went dormant.

In 2010 they put out a new album that I missed entirely.  Same with their 2019 release (which is on a label I’ve never heard of).  I basically had assumed that they were broken up for good.

So imagine my surprise to see that they were opening for Unwound on the night that I happened to get a ticket.  (TEKE::TEKE from Montreal opened the first night–I hadn’t heard of them but they are a Japanese psych rock band, hmmm).

The band came out on stage and while I recognized Richard and Fontaine, I didn’t know the other two.  They weren’t introduced, but I think they were  the rest of the Baluyut family: James on guitar and Edward on drums.

They opened with Mummified, a track off their newest album that has a really long instrumental opening.  I didn’t know it, but the band sounded great.  And after two minutes when Richard started singing, he sounded great too.  But it was when Fontaine added her vocals that everything came flooding back why I loved this band so much.

The new songs are a bit less noisy–they really emphasize their great harmony vocals and a more jamming attitude.  Lead guitarist (James, I’m guessing) was great making all kinds of cool noises and feedback, but also playing some really tasty melodies and solos.

“Atmosphere” opened with some rocking guitars and then the band really stretched out for some kinda mellow jamming.  Edward and Fontaine kept a groove going while James and Richard played some leads.  The song pushed six minutes, which I was not expecting, and had a really delicate and lovely ending.

After the two new songs I didn’t know how much old stuff we’d get.  I hadn’t looked at their setlist from Irving Plaza a few nights earlier.

So imagine my delight when they began playing “River” from their debut full length.  In fact, they played three songs from The Stars are Insane, which was awesome.  As soon as Fontaine started singing her part, it was like I was back in the 90s.

I always loved their next album Secret Swingers (the cover is amazing), so it was great to hear not one, but two songs from it (the deep cut “Angels Rush In” with an outstandingly noisy guitar solo) and “Double Suicide.”

They also played a super deep cut–“Frog” from their 1994 single of the same name.  I didn’t know it, but it was delicate and rather pretty until mid way through when all the guitars were turned up.

The Versus EPs were always a treat when they were released.  And their first one, Let’s Electrify was a great place to start with them. “That Girl’s Gone” was another song sung by Fontaine.  It sounds more like Sonic Youth than any of their other songs, but in the very best way.

I see that in New York they played “Yeah You” which is probably my favorite Versus song (more Secret Swingers).  But we got “Thera” which is almost as good (and some might say better–the way James and Fontaine’s vocals play pare just outstanding).  By this time, the band was really exploring some loud sounds, with Fontaine just banging on her bass and James on his knees playing with his pedals.

I wasn’t sure how many people in the audience knew Versus, but when Richard started the opening notes of  “Double Suicide” there was an appreciative roar from crowd.  And it grew bigger when the slower song really took off with about a minute left.

Richard also told us that when they did an early tour of the Pacific Northwest (Seattle to San Diego) they had to borrow all of their gear from Unwound–they had nothing and that’s where Unwound was from.  So these two bands go way back.

They ended with “Be-9” which rocked harder than the album–those blasts of noise in the bridge were monumental.  The middle of the song is quiet–with chiming guitars and gentle bass. They stretched that out for a few extra minutes with Fontaine pounding her bass to get some good low rumbling.  Both she and James were also playing the noisiest parts of their strings.  They ended the song and the set with a wall of feedback.

Normally I’d say I would prefer to see a band headline.  But Versus played a 45 minute set and (except for Yeah You) I felt like I got a full Versus experience.  And, since they don’t really play that often, I’ll take it.

£ Let’s Electrify EP (1993)
© Frog single (1994)
♦ The Stars Are Insane (1994)
§ Secret Swingers (1996)
⊗ Ex Voto (2019)