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Reviews of "failure boy"
the debut cd from ivet.
(in no particular order)
ivet
failure boy
Review by: Jeb
Initially I was tempted to call this band post-hardcore
but trust me when I say that would truly be a disservice to them. IVET
are a group that indeed have plenty of post-hardcore/ emo elements but
they almost come full circle in that they achieve a blistering hard sound
that would place them comfortably amongst many of the more extreme bands
out there. Diverse vocals that alternate between accessible and brutal,
wide ranging musical influences including funk and blues, and a penchant
for doom laden overtones only adds to the complexity (and appeal) of IVET.
The combination of grit and polish is at first jarring, but they have
mastered the counterbalance nicely. They achieve (seemingly easily) all
the rage and passion that Henry Rollins has tried his entire solo career
to achieve. A rather obscure reference might be a more complex YOU AND
I. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for great things from this camp. (1848
West 47th St. Cleveland, OH 44102 or ChuFoilMgt@aol.com or http://www.ivet.com)
ivet
failure boy
Pete Chakerian, Scene Magazine
There's a certain contingency that once you take an alarming
aural trip, it will be something you won't soon forget. When Maynard James
Keenan of Tool starts his hidden track recitation of a mass murderer's
morning on UNDERTOW, it's carved into the brain like the automobile accident
you pass on the highway . and can't tear your eyes away from. Your blood
starts to curdle and rush to your head and before long, you're scrounging
antacids for the uneasy stomach you have. You don't dare close your eyes
for the flashbacks, night terrors or bed sweats. That's the dark vibe
running off of FAILURE BOY, a pummeling new effort from the Youngstown
hardcore quartet ivet. And odds are, you'll never forget it, either. FAILURE
BOY is an unnerving bastard of a mongrel, recalling the dualism of Tool
at some points and bands like Failure, Helmet and Nine Inch Nails (lyrically
speaking) at others. Vocalist Frank Silver seethes with tension, backing
the rest of the band's nihilistic, throttling-groove guitar therapy. The
singer's ferocious voice carries a degree of Keenan's histrionics, whereby
he'll draw on a disquieting warble before delivering an ear-shattering
crescendo. If there was ever a singer to front a Kafkaesque outfit like
ivet, Silver's the guy to do it. Listeners need look no further than "Disease,"
"Shelly" and "Stillborn" for a (un)healthy burden
of vocal proof. Even psychic chemistry is proven plausible on FAILURE
BOY, as guitarist Mike Roberts and bassist Sam Papa deliver anticipated
interplay with the dexterity of seasoned professionals. Their angular
melodies and counterpoint on tunes like "Uncle," "Reign"
and "Spider" are sinister and sullen one moment, coy and slippery
the next. You can't put a finger on these guys, except to venture that
years of incarcerated practice have produced such results. Add drummer
Mark Grabowski -- who will beat you absolutely senseless -- and you have
an undeniable combination. Amply produced by Dale Epperson, who recently
worked with MCA recording artists the Badlees, ivet's FAILURE BOY is by
no means a failure. For a report card with 12 straight A's like this,
you probably think the band sucked up to the teacher for extra credit.
With convictions like this? Not a chance, my friends. I'll leave you to
call them suck-ups, if you want. I'll call them outstanding, thank you
very much. Prepare for your sleepless nights.
ivet
failure boy
Valerie Nome, MTV Online
Sometimes rage is seen as an
act. With MARILYN MANSON's horrific masquerades, FIONA APPLE's "feel
sorry for me" style, and the female/male bashing of rap music, who's
to know what's real? While copycat acts pervade the music scene at nearly
all levels of competition, Youngstown's IVET may take the cake when it
comes to maddening sincerity. Ever since they began in late 1995, the
band has been racking up a steady number of regional club appearances
and has received widespread accolades from media outlets from Columbus
to Toledo, extending as far as Buffalo and Detroit. IVET has showcased
at Eclipse, Millennium, and Undercurrents music showcases and has opened
for brand name acts such as TRIPPING DAISY, DEF LEPPARD, HENRY ROLLINS,
SOUL COUGHING and MOBY. Yes, IVET has met with enough success to be named
"band of the year" in the ultra-competitive annual radio awards
show on WENZ 107.9 The End. With the amount of energy, talent, and commitment
brewing in the Cleveland music scene, this is perhaps the most sought-after
prestige any unsigned band can get. The magic of IVET began when FRANK
SILVER and MIKE ROBERTS were in high school. SILVER and ROBERTS attended
separate high schools, yet shared a common bond as they were both icons
in their own worlds. Rivals before they met, they finally found each other
at Dairy Mart and, thanks to the gutsy ROBERTS, collaborated with the
addition of GRABOWSKI and PAPA. Like a patchwork quilt, the boys of IVET
grew up with different patterns of music trampling through their brains.
Drummer Grabowski was weaned on MEGADETH and SLAYER; bassist PAPA preffered
the sounds of TUPAC SHAKUR and GEORGE CLINTON; ...(guitarist ROBERTS drew
upon CLAPTON and PAGE for style)...lead SILVER jammed to NINE INCH NAILS,
VAN HALEN, STING and RADIOHEAD. A potpourri of musical tastes were wound
together as one when the band formed and continue to inspire uniqueness
in their music. Is this all for real?
Only time will tell.
Anthology
IVET'S full length CD failure boy has charted on both college and commercial
radio across the country. The song "fondle" has appeared on
the Cleveland Music Group's "On Target" CD and also on the official
F Music Conference's compilation CD. failure boy contains thirteen hardcore,
thrash-worthy, volatile tunes. Described as HENRY ROLLINS meets BLONDIE,
Silver's songs are intense, angry and truthful. Compounding the trials
of adolescence into testosterone driven beats encircled with self-analytical
sensitivity, the melodies hide in the shade of angst and pull on the reigns
of despair.
ivet
failure boy
Teri, THE DAYTON BUZZ
IVET is a band that grabs you and pulls you straight in when you least expect it. The diversity found on Failure Boy is quite refreshing, something many bands are not able to achieve as well as IVET. This band from Youngstown OH has a unique style of their own. I adore the wonderfully charming, boyish vocals of Frank Silver. Don't worry guys, IVET still manages to pound you with a hard, heavy dose that'll leave you asking for more. Imagine mellow, soothing vocals one minute and gut wrenching shouts of anger the next. This is IVET -- unpredictable. Silver is balanced by an incredibly forceful band. My favorite tracks on this album were: "Disease", "Boy", "Reign", "Uncle", and "Failure Boy". If you like Helmet or Rollins Band, you might want to give IVET a listen. - Teri, THE DAYTON BUZZ
ivet
failure boy
Rock N' Roll
Reporter
This is one heavy moshing album. It moves from funk
to thrash in a flash. It takes on more of a metal sound at other times
and rings of 311 and Rage. The Bass guitar sound is thin and plucky and
almost brings the mix down, but the crisp heavy guitars take up the slack
and treat you to a slam dancin' delight.
Rock N' Roll Reporter
