An Excerpt From My Oregon Music News Article

The new LP Have Cake from Salem's Symmetry/Symmetry is something Ace of Cakes Duff Goldman would dive face first into.

The sophomore album from the trio turned quartet takes the electric and raw elements of their first album Love Breaks Light and amps it up. Symmetry/Symmetry was originally comprised of lead singer Daniel Jones, guitarist Joel Uram and drummer Andrew Quackenbush. Recently, local bassist Mark Cleaver joined the guys to help with gigging and has been with the band on what seems like a permanent basis.
Riddled with unique hooks and thought provoking lyrics, "Have Cake" does not fall short in its over-all production quality, due to lead singer Daniel Jones' 7+ years of experience in a studio setting.



The album begins with “The Great Saboteur” which, along with “Wedding Song” and “We Are Not Who We Say We Are”, set the tone. Andrew's drumming stylistically organic, accented by a banquet of colorful electronic beats and rhythms. Joel’s guitar work punctuates and clarifies every movement throughout with ridged riffs and melodic leads. Daniel's long-drawn-out vocals create haunting and passionate melodies. To fans of Menomena and Band of Horses, "Have Cake" is an album worth taking a listen to and Symmetry/Symmetry, in my opinion, is a band Salem should be brimming with pride over. AMV


Symmetry/Symmetry will be playing at Doug Fir LoungeDec. 16th

*To view this article in its entirety visit: Oregon Music News - "Symmetry/Symmetry has cake"

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Saturday Night Live

This weekend, I decided, would be spent at home with the family, to do family things and to relax. I did, however, make an exception for one event in Salem Saturday night. Rishloo was finishing up their tour in Salem and choose Symmetry/Symmetry to celebrate with at the IKE Box . So after little deliberation I drove over to catch Symmetry/Symmetry's set.

I walked into a coffee house filled with some of Salem's best dressed Hipsters and the occassional goth/metal kid, Symmetry/Symmetry had already taken the stage for sound check. There was very little preparation and then they started.
-The set began with an ambient intro accompanying Daniel Jones' long drawn, uniquely melodic vocals. It was a good precursor for the songs to follow. The show moved seamlessly from song to song.
-Andrew Quackenbush's drumming was careful and delicately placed. His technique was enjoyable and added a great dimension to the bands over all aesthetic.
-Keys and electronic rhythms were almost constantly present.
-Guitar work was meaningful, adding strong accents and punctuations to every song. Guitarist Joel Uram's vocals complemented, harmonized and occassionally lead various tunes throughout. There was lots of movement around the stage as Joel and Daniel swapped instruments for various songs.
-Mark Cleaver the newest member(but by no means, a rookie) brought light, simplistic bass lines that added well to Symmetry/Symmetry's already established sound.

All in all, the songs almost forces you to move your body, close your eyes and take it all in. Symmetry/Symmetry is a group of equally talented musicians blending their creative takes on all things current in indie. Reminescent of Menomena, it was a winning performance through and through.

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This Weekend's "Reasons to Get Out of the House"

Oct. 22nd-Oct. 24th


FRIDAY:


"Festival De Musica"



Place: Riverfront Bar & Grill

Featuring Performances by: Red Hook Gypsy, Kopath Bear, Lust Wagon and Yellow Lights

Time: @8pm, 21+(assuming)


"Fresh Connex"

Local Artist Showcase

Place: Rack 'n Cue and All Ages viewing room available in Mr. Video

Performances by: Chemical Smile, Final Offense, Genocide, Steady Riot, Fresco, The Valerie Court Massacre and Young Drew

Time: @9:30 - 21+ (in actual bar)


SATURDAY:




Place: IKE Box
Featuring Performances by: Rishloo, Symmetry/Symmetry, The Welcome Home

Time: @7pm - All Ages $5 cover





Cherry Sity Derby Girls vs S.M.A.S.H Unit

Place: Linn County Fair/Expo Center (Santiam Building)

Tickets Available Online $10 Advance, $13 at door

Time: @5pm - All Ages (assuming)


SUNDAY:





JOHN LEE HOOKER JR.

Place: Mac's Place in Silverton

Time: @8pm - 21+

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This Weekends: "Must Sees"

Friday:
SYMMETRY/SYMMETRY performs at the Salem Art Association's Art Fusion event at Bush Barn Art Center! Doors @ 7pm (21+) $5 buys you a ticket and membership to the SAA as well as dozens of free samples from local vendors.

EXIT Skate and snowboard shop celebrate their 17th Birthday @ the Ike Box with Volcom's "9191" video showing and "Peep Show" video showing. (all-ages) $5

Saturday:
KOPATH BEAR and VIOLET ISLE at the Ike Box @7pm (all-ages) $5

MASSIVE MOTH at Boon's Treasury @9pm (21+)

Sunday:
(For the metal heads)
Metal Showcase at the Wasteland with bands from LA: Jackson California as well as SKYWARD COLLAPSE from Portland and some local acts to be announced. @6:30 (all-ages)

(For the jazz heads)
Willamette University's Smith Stadium will host "A Night At The Cotton Club" a showcase of Harlem's finest jazz re-done by some local greats. @8pm


+ All Week Event: "2010 Salem Film Festival" @ Salem Cinema, High Street Cinema and The Grand Theater $8 a flick. 10/15-10/22 more details and show listings visit Salem Film Festival

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"Band Buzzing" (a series)

First Installment:

When searching for bands to collaborate with and book shows with, I turn to the basics: the local papers, repeats at hot venues, word of mouth, good promotionals, etc. Very active bands are the ones to grab my attention. I want the band that's working hard to make themselves known.

Just by scratching at the surface of Salem I've uncovered these gems, thus far:

Symmetry/Symmetry

This is a band I discovered while booking with the Ike Box. Andrew does the booking there and also plays drums for Symmetry/Symmetry.

The Vicious Kisses

Sean and Nick, our lead singer and drummer, were asked to play acoustic guitar and keys for a few shows with this band. I caught their Ike Box show and really dug Mark, the lead singers, voice, and the overall energy of the band.

Norman

A friend invited me out to see Norman in Albany and I loved their set. They continue to put out great performances around town and are really keeping the momentum up.

Massive Moth

Doug Hoffman's band; they were the first band I caught wind of when I moved down to Salem.

Kopath Bear

I just recently heard the buzz about this band. They are working hard around town and drawing in quite the following even without any music available to listen to online.

This is by no means a review or a promo for these bands. I am only listing them because they have created enough of a buzz to reach my ear.

More to come.

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