Vices I Admire, Still Standing

by Charlie Sullivan

For a band that has been on a personnel roller coaster ride the last couple of years, alternative pop rockers Vices I Admire has managed to maintain a formidable presence in the local music scene. Dave Curtis (vocals, guitar) is the lone member of the original 2002 line-up. Dan Battenhouse (bass, formerly of the Fray) has been on board since 2009 and Alex Simpson (drums) just over a year. In 2012, original members Mark Towne (drums) and Mickey Dollar (guitar) left the band to pursue other interests. In the process, Curtis found a new guitarist in Tavis Alley only to see him move on in January of 2013.

“Man there’s just something about January the last two years,” states Curtis. “It’s a jinx month (laughing). I owe Mark and Mickey a lot more than I could ever get across with words,” he says, adding, “We worked well together.”

“It’s been a lengthy transition to the line-up we have now,” affirms Curtis, “But we’re running on all cylinders.”

With the new line-up set, the crew hit the studio and crafted the just-released six-song EP Fables. 2010’s The Politics of Apathy, an album still worthy of giving a spin, found a band hitting its stride. 2011’s Venom & Pride, a somewhat brooding four-song EP, found a band on the rocks; maybe hinting at the dark days on the horizon. The new release is a pleasant surprise. The band has maintained the edginess of previous releases, but has evolved musically.

The new material explores Curtis’ vocals more adeptly than in the past. “Come Home” is a toned down piece incorporating acoustic guitar work with a soft vocal quality. “Only Me” opens with a spacy experimental feel and builds to a rocking crescendo letting Curtis showcase his vocals. The band has definitively expanded their musical range with Fables, and the new EP is more than just an attractive addition to their resume:

“Fables was a chance to work as a three-piece unit and write something that still had that Vices feel,” expresses Curtis. “I think we managed to do it, even though it almost killed us in the process (ha-ha).”

“Working on the new record was good experience for me,” adds Simpson. “The record really allowed me to solidify my position in the band, work out routines to become part of the creative process.”

In the foreseeable future, Vices plans to work as a trio; there doesn’t seem to be any urgency to add another guitarist to the line-up. The live shows have incorporated a hired gun at second guitar in Scott Uhl. Some readers may know Uhl from Glass Delirium.

“Scott’s been great to step up and help out,” states Curtis. “He’s an excellent musician and knows our songs very well.”

The guys are definitely working hard and sacrificing. Curtis isn’t ready to throw in the towel yet. The band still has aspirations of hitting that homerun and taking it national. With a little marketing and strong show of support from the local masses, you never know what might come down the road.

Online: vicesiadmire.bandcamp.com/album/fables

“It is easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is from the top.”

Tags: the fray, glass delirium, scott uhl, alex simpson, vices i admire, dan battenhouse, dave curtis, mark towne, mickey dollar, tavis alley, the politics of apathy, venom & Pride, fables

Category: Local News