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Straddling pop, rock

New Complaints all about fuzzy bass and solid drums

WHO: New Complaints

WHERE: Garfinkel’s

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 14

Frontman Mark Woodyard of the New Complaints describes drummer Jordan Storey and bassist Bobby Dimock as the core of the band’s sound, with solid drums and innovative bass lines reminiscent of the Queens of the Stone Age.

"Our fuzzy bass and solid drums hits people in a different way," Woodyard said. "The last thing we want to do is be a cookie cutter band with boring bass lines."

The alternative rock trio from Vancouver is anything but a cookie cutter band. Though not even one year old, the band has already garnered a devout local following in Vancouver, playing the Roxy, Piccadilly Pub, Buffalo Club, Messa Luna and the Media Club. With the release of its first EP, the band is seeking to expand its listening base with a show Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Garfinkel’s.

Woodyard explained the band strives to create pop-style music with a definite edge, drawing on the sounds of bands such as Weezer, Nirvana and Radiohead.

"I’ve always liked songs that stick in my head, but at the same time I can’t stand listening to Top 40 radio stations," he said. "Nirvana was famous for that. Their songs stick in your head, but they are really good."

Straddling the line between pop and rock, New Complaints create accessible music with plenty of innovative edge – a unique sound the band has been working on for years.

Bands such as Green Day, Nirvana and Soundgarden, were the band’s first heroes. While New Complaints have only begun pursuing music professionally over the past year, the trio has known each other since Grade 4.

Woodyard said Storey, even way back then, sounded like a pro while Dimock and himself had a lot of catching up to do.

"He was the core," Woodyard said of Storey. "We didn’t know what we were doing. You listen to recordings from then and (Storey) sounded like a professional. We were awful. We’ve come a long way."