Artist description Sometimes it's hard to tell if the Librarians are joking. A black-clad, leather-gloved, shaggy-haired rocker jumps off the stage and into the crowd. The ascotted guitarist takes center, affecting an exaggerated Elvis Costello tremolo over the lyric "cer-a-mic lawn or-na-ments," while the shaggy front man holds the harmony even as he struts around the audience like a renegade male model, striking ridiculous Mick Jagger poses and lasciviously rubbing his thigh. He points his tambo stick at the crowd provokingly: YOU GONNA DANCE, SCENESTERS, OR WHAT? And what's the crowd to do but drop all lingering inhibitions? This rock music is serious business, and rock is exactly what the Librarians play. The Librarians began as most good rock acts do, with Damon Larson and Ryan Gan looking for a hobby and looking to get laid. In 1999, they started riling up Berkeley co-ops with fire-breathing stage antics and goofy pop odes to raver girls; by 2001 they were a full band, adding Lucas White on bass and Ben Adrian on drums. Songwriter Larson kept lead vocals and guitar, and Gan remained front man: part backing vocalist, part lunatic evangelist, and 100-percent solid-gold ROCKSTAR, gyrating and showboating to audiences' bewilderment and glee. In May they released their debut full-length record, The Pathetic Aesthetic, on Bay Area–based Pandacide Records, recorded over the past year at Feedback Loop Industries, Adrian's home studio. Evocative of trashy freakbeat and early punk layered with contemporary power pop, The Pathetic Aesthetic both pokes fun at and revels in sloppy college parties where horny losers try their damnedest to pick up drunk art school girls. The Librarians' entire repertoire resounds with this snide irony. Glam-ish guitar licks are slammed up against sugary nerd-pop choruses; lyrics oscillate constantly between brash self-aggrandizement and pathetic self-defeat. Both the recorded music and the onstage performance reflect the Librarians' gleeful, maniacal determination to mock the overblown rock cannon . . . and establish themselves gods within it. And so far, they're not doing too bad a job. The Librarians placed first in UC Berkeley's 2001 Battle of the Bands, they've been receiving substantial radio play on Live 105's Local Lounge and Berkeley's KALX, and they've been winning themselves a growing following through playing a blue streak of shows up and down California. Audiences have been receptive at all-ages and 21+ venues alike, surprised and excited to get in on such a high-energy, interactive show. "We're versatile, and we'll rock just about anywhere," says Gan. "We've played raves. We've played the emo shows. Last year we opened for the Violent Femmes at the Greek Theater, in front of like 2,000 kids . . ." So how the hell's a librarian supposed to be a rockstar, you're asking yourself? The Librarians plan to show you how.

Music Style 60s influenced garage rock, power-pop, rock'n'roll

Musical Influences Pixies, Kinks, Ramones, Stooges, Nirvana, GBV

Similar Artists Guided by Voices, the Strokes, Weezer, Nirvana

Group Members Vocals & Guitars: Damon Larson Vocals & Tambourine: Ryan Gan Bass & Attitude: Lucas White Drums & Tech Wizardry: Benjamin Adrian

Albums The Pathetic Aesthetic

Press Reviews The Librarians have gained a reputation as having an incredible live show, which doesn't always translate well to studio recordings. This case is a notable exception to the rule. The Pathetic Aesthetic is a memorable collection of pop songs. There is a flavoring vaguely reminiscent of the Posies or early Elvis Costello. The ear-catching resounding choruses are similar to those of fellow nerdy-boy pop tarts Weezer. Crazy guy Ryan Gan uses a healthy dose of falsetto backing vocals to create harmonies that pack a wallop. Lyrically the Librarians are concerned with the tangible things in life. No esoteric cooing here, just plenty of tongue-in-cheek lyrics about the holy rock triad - getting laid ("Blast Off To Heaven" and most of the other songs), drinking excessively ("You and This Bottle"), and the joys of making music ("Come Down and Rock"). Cheesiness runs amok with lyrics like, "She'll be my lover if I rock like Sammy Hagar tonight." And anyone who's been exploited by those selfish artistic types can relate to, "Ain't that the poet that you always curse, who fucked you just for inspiration for a verse." Agile drummer Ben Adrian recorded and mixed The Pathetic Aesthetic and is making a name for himself as a versatile local bay area engineer. He gives the songs a bright live sound which works well for pop music. Lucas White is an excellent melodic bass player providing a strong base of operations. The personalities of both vocalists shine through. Guitarist/lead vocalist Damon Larson's unique nasally proselytizing is definitely at the core of The Librarians sound. He doesn't play it safe and just subdue his voice like so many singers are inclined to do in the recording process. His injection of humor and charisma makes the Librarians standout in a music scene where people are becoming afraid of their own voices.

Additional Info contact: damon@thelibrariansrock.com

Location Oakland, California - USA

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