Long live Viva Viva

A local supergroup is born

by nolan gawron / metro boston

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MAY 4, 2007

Vivas to those who have failed

And to those whose war-vessels sank in the sea

And to those themselves who sank in the sea

And to all the generals that lost engagements, and all overcome heroes

And the numberless unknown heroes equal to the great heroes know

-"Song of Myself"

Walt Whitman

Byline Nolan Gawron

PROFILE.

When Officer May and Lot Six both called it quits, Boston lost two of its most promising bands. Their ships had sailed, and against everyone's will, had sunk. Formed from the wreckage, however, is a music vessel with an all-star crew that brings the captains of both bands to the helm.

Their previous bands had shared bills and even covered each other's songs, but despite their friendships, projects and run-ins, Chris Warren (Officer May) and Dave Vicini (Lot Six) had never collaborated-- until now. "I just came back from New York City and moved in with Chris," says Vicini. "At that point he already had the idea that we should be in a band together and had some songs he wanted me to sing."

After spending the next couple of weeks 4-tracking, Warren and Vicini quickly compiled 23 decadent late night demo songs. All they needed now was a band.

"We kinda knew who we wanted to play with," says Vicini. "But we didn't tell anyone about the project until months later—until we were completely sure." Enlisting Dan Burke (Frank Smith, Lot Six,, Beat Awfuls) on bass, Julian Cassanetti (Lot Six) on keys, John Allen (Dirty Holiday, Reports) on drums, and Tommy Allen (Dirty Holiday/Drug Rug) on guitar, the Viva Viva supergroup was born.

"We booked our first show before we even played together with the band," says Warren. "The commitment to the band is more mental than physical. We don't practice. We're not running the songs into the ground at the rehearsal space. But there's a certain spark and spontaneity because of that."

After settling on seven of their favorite tracks Viva Viva took to the studio to record the "Art, Sex, Death and Time" EP. The result is an, as of now, unheard masterpiece. Combining the junk punk delivery of Vicini with the soulful snarl of Warren, their voices culminate in vocal chaos and exist in alternated verses and eerie harmonies. Add to that their creepy keyboards, death march drums and dirty guitars and stomping blues rawk and you've got an album full of gritty, boot-stomping blues rock.

"Basically we're the second greatest band in the world," says Vicini. "Yeah, second to the Rolling Stones circa '72," adds Warren.

Viva Viva CD Release

Middle East Upstairs

Saturday, 9 p.m.

472 Mass. Ave., Cambridge

MBTA: Red Line to Central

$9, 18+, 617-864-EAST

www.mideastclub.com