Thursday, October 15, 1998
ACME’s cool sounds anything but generic
MUSIC: Young members of swing band rocks their way back to The
Derby
By Vanessa VanderZanden
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The mean-beated drummer hasn’t had sex for all 22 years of his
frustrated life? The brass section smokes pot while the slick
guitarist goes by the name of "Sweet Leaf?" Is this the beginning
of a new Aaron Spelling production or does the lead singer of the
ACME Swing Co. just know how to stir up a crowd while introducing
his band?
The ACME Swing Co., however, needed little introduction as to
how to shake up a dance hall last Tuesday night. Playing The Derby
for the first time in nearly a year, the San Francisco-based band
garnered a fan base for their return performance the following
Tuesday. Living proof that Sonoma State grads can put their music
degrees to profitable use, the seven alumni even taught L.A.
swingers that those Bay Area cats have rhythm.
The zoot-suited players began their set with mellow pieces
showcasing their smooth sound and tight, stylish form. A steady
rendition of the Pink Panther theme song eeked out of the gleaming
instruments, stealing along the carpeted lounge floor like a
stealthy jungle cat. On the small dance floor below, Derby regulars
met cheek to cheek for fiery tango moves, puncturing the air with
taut, out-stretched arms clasped as one.
The band leader joked, "Did you recognize the Jetson’s theme
song?" as the group prepared to step up the beat.
They proceeded to bound through a well-mustered rendition of
"Pennsylvania 6-5000," joining voices for the catchy chorus.
Dancing three in a row, the beaming trombonist, trumpeter and
saxophonist even got the cocktail-sipping bar-side patrons
a-wriggling. Soon, handsome lead guitarist Isaac Carter showed that
even black-lunged lounge lizards can put on the moves as he leaned
against the stand-up bass player for a rockin’ string duet.
Not to be outdone, the trombonist seared through several solos
that left the bobby-socked swing kids dying to flip high in the air
for wicked aerial action. Restrained only by Derby policy, the
saddle-shoed Betties had to keep it on the floor during the
remainder of the ACME set.
As the band drove the women wild, many were found exclaiming
"Yeah, I could do the guitarist."
Rather, that’s what Carter must have been imagining as he tore
through another seamless jam on his polished wooden instrument like
a howling cartoon wolf.
But this time, Carter’s mid-show delusions matched the crowd’s
reaction to the young musicians (somewhat of a rarity in a genre
that usually showcases the talents of aging big band hipsters,
practiced with the lost art of snappy brass beats.) A slinky,
slit-skirted Mandarin-dress-wearing diva fanned herself in the
cool, high-ceilinged room as the ACME troupe revved up an
especially sultry tune.
Something about the upside of using a viper came crooning out of
the bad-boy swingsters. The sizzling piece had them smiling
devilishly, paired up on mics to repeat the naughty chorus. Not a
soul could help but tap a toe, as over-slicked mafia-style greasers
scanned the audience for dancing partners.
A slow night for rug-cutting anywhere, the ACME Swing Co.
managed to get the kids a-swinging despite the Derby’s mid-week
lull. Regulars of the club had no trouble busting moves, while
first-time jitter-buggers found themselves drawn shamelessly to the
floor. Spreading their name like quick-fire up and down the coast,
The ACME Swing Co. have a strong future ahead.
MUSIC: The ACME Swing Co. will perform again on Oct. 20 at The
Derby, 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Hollywood, 10 p.m., For more
information call (323) 663-8979GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin
At The Derby, The ACME Swing Co. brings fresh flavor to an old
genre of music.
GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin
Issac Carter plays the guitar for The ACME Swing Co.
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