Fri, Nov 30, 2001 - Page 7 News List

Guardian Alien returns

The Seattle-based electric banjo and squeezebox band is a trio again, and they'll be playing new material at eight seperate gigs around Taiwan over the next 11 days

By David Frazier  /  STAFF REPORTER

The change prompted Davis and his bandmates to write some new material, which they'll be playing on their current Taiwan tour. Davis described one of the changes as a new banjo sound that is "big and really crunchy and really drives the music forward. Before, the sound was much more ethereal."

At present, Banjovi and Guardian Alien consist of exactly the same lineups: Davis on bass, banjo and vocals, Douglas Sowers on drums and vocals and Eric Kubista playing bass and a squeezebox that's either a bandoneon or a concertina ? they're not quite sure. Both bands mix up the instruments, though Guardian Alien makes more use of the bandoneon. Other than that, the distinguishing factors between the two alter-ego groups are in the music and the energy they create.

"At a lot of shows, we open up for ourselves," said Davis. "You know, the bands have two different styles, personas, they're even visually very different. So I think a lot of people -- maybe because they're at a club and drinking or something -- don't even realize it's the same band."

Banjovi will open for Guardian Alien three times in Taiwan, at Witches, Napoli and Underworld. Several other appearances will take place in the context of larger events, including the opening of The Good Place (好地方) in Taichung Park on Dec. 2 and multi-band, multi-media lineups in Taichung on Dec. 7 and in Kaohsiung on Dec. 8. For more information, see the tour schedule below or check the web site: http://www.guardianalien.com.

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