Eclectic and electric
XOXOXO and George Squier
by Dean Bonzani
http://www.flaglive.com/content.cfm?story=89991&sid=124

Here's your dilemma: you've spent all of the month of June living riotously,
and have depleted your funds to such an extent that you're forced to ration
your nightlife until fresh cash arrives. You hear that not one, but two
flatlander pop bands will be playing on consecutive nights at the Monte Vista
Lounge. With only enough lettuce to buy a coupla drinks, tops, which
low-altitude, banjo-less band will you go see?

That's a tough one. But lemme help you out here.

Tempe's arty synth-mashers XOXOXO (or "XO cubed," as devotees refer to them)
are an eerie retro band that, despite their exclusive use of vintage analog
gear, manages to sound current.  But retro in a modern way, that is.

The lovechild of three Arizona State University students, XOXOXO is gaining
notoriety in the Valley of the Sun and, naturally, in Eastern Europe. They were
nominated by the Phoenix New Times in the category of best eclectic band in the
Valley, and are currently on an ambitious tour of the Southwest and Northwest.

Featuring Rachel Taylor on vocals and brothers Zack and Ben Funke on guitar and
bass respectively, and shared synthesizer duties, XOXOXO will violently throw
listeners back to the glory days of Depeche Mode and the legions of their
imitators, while simultaneously satisfying any urges for new and different
interpretations of what can be done by machine-savvy dance-pop fanatics with a
penchant for killer thrift store fashion finds. Taylor and the brothers Funke
could step right into an anime feature flick, pick up hot pink, futuristic
instruments with multitudes of pulsing LEDs, and launch into their tune,
"Fornicate," with its lyrics:

    Cut your heart out, cut your heart out,
    Leave it at the door,
    Cut your heart out, cut your heart out,
    You won't be needing that any more mor

This Tempe trio packs a beat-heavy wallop, with bucketloads of honking,
burbling electronica, and sinister-sweet, chirping vocals.

Taking themselves far less seriously than the MTV-bound XOXOXO are Tucson's
George Squier Orchestra.

Named for Army officer/inventor Maj. Gen. George O. Squier, who gave the world
piped-in music in 1922 and named it "Muzak," GSO are a quintet in the
tradition of bands like the Cars. The rhythm section is comprised of bassist
Melinda Ritter and drummer/vocalist Bonnie Ritter, while guitar and vocal
duties are shared by Johan Von Sweeden and Nathan Hendler.
Keyboardist/accordianist/vocalist Monte Workman also creates the most excellent
and vibrant posters for the band's gigs, which are far and away some of the
best quality examples of the genre that you'll encounter, especially in
these parts.

GSO plays bouncy, Velvet Underground/Feelies/Luna-sounding pop with an
un-selfconscious enthusiasm that quickly wins over their audiences. Their
naiveté causes one to forgive any stumblings or lack of experience, and their
undeniable niceness makes them compelling, like the last puppy in a cardboard
box that says "Free Puppies!"

Their quirky, beachy, boppy tunes will have you wanting to cut your own bangs
by candlelight. You'll dance like someone who just drank a Slurpy-sized cup
of jungle juice concocted from the forbidden, filchedbooze from a dozen
parental liquor cabinets. Their unusual melodies and B-52s beat will make you
run out and buy a red Vespa -- or make a skateboard out of old rollerskate
wheels, or a treehouse fort.

So, happy club-goers, this is your dilemma: whether to go out on Friday night
to see three pretty popsters with Dragonball Z hairstyles, pointy boots and
thumping synths (say that one three times fast),

Or

Do you plunk down your last wad of dough for some cold ones while you bask in
the chimey, farmer-tanned pop of the nervously smiling quintet that is the
George Squier Orchestra?

Hell, both shows are free, so go see both bands! Mousse your hair up on Friday
night, and wear a prom gown. Gents -- skinny ties and Japanese sports jackets
are the order of the day. Then, on Saturday night, it's sleeveless '60s sack
dresses with platinum wigs and flat shoes, and golf hats and Keds for the
menfolk. It's heartfelt, heat-stroked pop from sea level artists, in the Tiki
Cave that is the V Lounge.

XOXOXO will play Fri, July 2 at 10 p.m., and The George Squier Orchestra will
play Sat, July 3 and the Monte Vista, 100 N. San Francisco. The shows are free.
For more information, call 774-2403.