CLOSE TO MODERN

We all start off as children and somewhere along the way we loose our childhood and spend the rest of our lives looking for it. As we grow older we still have childhood dreams that have evolved, perhaps, to older, more "mature" dreams - yet it's those dreams we continue to chase. Perhaps our wonders and dreams aren't as bright and colorful, though optimistic, sometimes there is an underlying darker feel to it. This is the music of Close To Modern.

The shame came about at the Bunkhouse because of a bunch of tiring metal bands that started. Originally Close to Modern was supposed to start around 10ish, but really didn't start until two hours later. Fortunately Miguel (vocals), my friend Kristina, and I went some place to go and have a chat. Talking a bit more indepth about the isolated and somewhat closed music scene in Las Vegas as well as Close To Modern's recent successful trip to San Francisco, you can almost sense the underlying frustration. I for one, can't help but completely agree - definitely the success of this band lies outside of the Valley and in the hands of Miguel, Fernando, and Danny.

This night provided the Las Vegas debut of the new drummer, Howie who stepped up to the plate on very short notice. In fact, Howie and I managed to kick it off really well when I saw his Gaslight Anthem tattoos (but that's another story). Though the music was a little rough because of the new drummer, Howie managed to pull through with only a few days practice with the band. Howie is eager to get into more filling with his drumming skills - as he is a natural drummer, I think once he becomes more comfortable with the tunes, we can have a (sonically) warmer feel to the music.

With a show coming up on First Friday (in December), I suspect that this band might very well gain more fans and a larger following. One can only hope with more exposure, we can see the success this band deserves to have.

While I brought my camera and took "better" pictures - I failed in getting the kinds of shots that I would have liked. Miguel and company opened up with a new song that promises to become a favorite, along side Where From Here. This time around I put down my camera and actually listened to Wolves, which is a bit more atmospheric, but nonetheless catchy and haunting in its own right. But whether you listen to the music for cerebal purposes, emotive reasons, or to just experience their stylish music, you'll find yourself caught up. - Kamikazee Kurt

Everyone has a favorite big-name local band playing Neon Reverb: Afghan Raiders (Beauty Bar, March 13) and The Skooners (Bunkhouse, March 14), for instance. But there are also a half-dozen local acts that are either unjustifiably obscure or have been keeping a low-profile. These bands are now primed to blow away anyone in earshot.

For fans of Interpol, The Killers:

Close To Modern consists of four Mexican-American dudes in their 20s who pay homage to two British bands: Joy Division and The Smiths. The band filters these influences through the artificial prism of life in Vegas, so that in a song like “Sedentary Lesson,” you get appropriate lyrics like “Sketch your life right on the outside.” No other group captures the essence of Sin City alienation and phoniness. Gypsy Den, Saturday, March 13.
- Seven Magazine

If there was ever a performing-live-at-First Friday band suited for the new New Moon soundtrack CD, it’s this one. Close to Modern is an indie-rock quartet that cites influences like Joy Division and the Killers. Sure, the band, which bills itself as “neu-gloom,” owes more to the dour artistry of the former than to the moody pop of the latter. But Close to Modern knows how to craft immaculate pop hooks. Songs like “Where From Here” bristle with downbeat guitar chiming (courtesy of Fernando Lara) and machine-like drum pounding (Howie), while the lyrics are pure goth-boy poetry: “All my life I’ve been all alone,” sings 27-year-old Miguel Martinez. “By my side a red telephone/And she never called me back/She must have had a heart attack.” It’s a formula, yeah, but it’s a formula because, well, it works.
Close to Modern manages to mix things up on the Smiths-meet-Interpol guitar jangle of “Sedentary Lessons,” which fuses a driving dance rhythm against a sinister and very decadent European rock club vibe. Then there’s the pumping, just-add-stadium rocker “Nothing Left,” which showcases bassist Danny Rodriguez and will require more than garlic, holy water, and a cross to keep it from attaching itself to your mind. Speaking of the Smiths, the members of Close to Modern are Mexican and belong to the cult of the Moz. (In other words, you may have spotted them crying tears of ecstasy at a Morrissey concert or three.) Martinez says he recalls hearing “Ask” on the radio when he was 4. It was always in the back of his mind and, when he finally heard the song again in high school, he was hooked. He fell in love with music and started a band with his friend Lara.
Before you hit a late-night screening of New Moon, get yourself worked up with a little night music. Make sure and request “Knight Owls,” too, ’cause the song kills.


by: Jarret Keene (City Life Magazine) - City Life Magazine (Las Vegas)

If there was ever a performing-live-at-First Friday band suited for the new New Moon soundtrack CD, it’s this one. Close to Modern is an indie-rock quartet that cites influences like Joy Division and the Killers. Sure, the band, which bills itself as “neu-gloom,” owes more to the dour artistry of the former than to the moody pop of the latter. But Close to Modern knows how to craft immaculate pop hooks. Songs like “Where From Here” bristle with downbeat guitar chiming (courtesy of Fernando Lara) and machine-like drum pounding (Howie), while the lyrics are pure goth-boy poetry: “All my life I’ve been all alone,” sings 27-year-old Miguel Martinez. “By my side a red telephone/And she never called me back/She must have had a heart attack.” It’s a formula, yeah, but it’s a formula because, well, it works.
Close to Modern manages to mix things up on the Smiths-meet-Interpol guitar jangle of “Sedentary Lessons,” which fuses a driving dance rhythm against a sinister and very decadent European rock club vibe. Then there’s the pumping, just-add-stadium rocker “Nothing Left,” which showcases bassist Danny Rodriguez and will require more than garlic, holy water, and a cross to keep it from attaching itself to your mind. Speaking of the Smiths, the members of Close to Modern are Mexican and belong to the cult of the Moz. (In other words, you may have spotted them crying tears of ecstasy at a Morrissey concert or three.) Martinez says he recalls hearing “Ask” on the radio when he was 4. It was always in the back of his mind and, when he finally heard the song again in high school, he was hooked. He fell in love with music and started a band with his friend Lara.
Before you hit a late-night screening of New Moon, get yourself worked up with a little night music. Make sure and request “Knight Owls,” too, ’cause the song kills.


by: Jarret Keene (City Life Magazine) - City Life Magazine (Las Vegas)

... When I first heard the singing, I instantly thought of Joy Division, maybe the Smiths, Interpol, or even the Editors. I knew my friend (and film camera man) Miguel was in the band - low and behold, it was Miguel singing! Holy shit, his voice is totally reminescent of Ian Curtis or Chris Urbanowicz. These guys, I believe, are at the cusp of the same kind of dark indie rock success as the Editors. The only tragedy is that Las Vegas does not have a supportive scene for their kind of music. I await their demo!!

By Kamikazi Kurt (Deconstruction)
Sept. 18th 2009

- Kamikazi Kurt (Deconstruction)

... When I first heard the singing, I instantly thought of Joy Division, maybe the Smiths, Interpol, or even the Editors. I knew my friend (and film camera man) Miguel was in the band - low and behold, it was Miguel singing! Holy shit, his voice is totally reminescent of Ian Curtis or Chris Urbanowicz. These guys, I believe, are at the cusp of the same kind of dark indie rock success as the Editors. The only tragedy is that Las Vegas does not have a supportive scene for their kind of music. I await their demo!!

By Kamikazi Kurt (Deconstruction)
Sept. 18th 2009

- Kamikazi Kurt (Deconstruction)

... embodying the darker side of synth-pop-that stylized teen angst pioneered by Robert Smith and Ian Curtis and taken up by recent bands such as Editors and Interpol...

... Close to Modern's performance is clean, well-structured and relatively professional. At the forefront: the band's writing. The dark and catchy "Where From Here" is single-worthy...

... Although showmanship and arrogance do have a place in rock 'n' roll, there is perhaps a bigger place for genuine earnestness. In this way, Close To Modern is really quite traditional.

By Jeremy Adams (Las Vegas Weekly) Dec. 2008 - Las Vegas Weekly

... embodying the darker side of synth-pop-that stylized teen angst pioneered by Robert Smith and Ian Curtis and taken up by recent bands such as Editors and Interpol...

... Close to Modern's performance is clean, well-structured and relatively professional. At the forefront: the band's writing. The dark and catchy "Where From Here" is single-worthy...

... Although showmanship and arrogance do have a place in rock 'n' roll, there is perhaps a bigger place for genuine earnestness. In this way, Close To Modern is really quite traditional.

By Jeremy Adams (Las Vegas Weekly) Dec. 2008 - Las Vegas Weekly