Daniela Chunga
No instruments.
No band mates.
That is the epitome of Air Guitar.
We all have to admit it. At one point or another we have all found ourselves rocking out on an imaginary guitar. No worries. Just pure indulgence and gratification as we pretend to play the awesome solo and guitar riffs we hear on the radio. Yet there is one thing that sets us apart from those who decide to compete professionally: guts.Air guitarists get on stage alone. Rocking out in front of hundreds. Alone.
For most of us, we constrain ourselves to the comfort and seclusion of our homes, never to perform in public. But there are some brave souls out there that were willing to battle it out to take the top seat in the US Air Guitar Championships and on June 3rd, 2008 the 6th Annual Championships began in New York City.Bowery Ballroom was buzzing with excitement. Hundreds of air guitar fans have come to one place to witness the beginning of this year’s competition. Performing for a packed house, 21 competitors would start their journey to air guitar stardom.
The rules were simple. There are 3 criteria for which each performer would be scored on.
1. Technical Merit – There doesn’t need to be accurate with the notes you’re playing, just make sure that it looks like you are making an effort with your fingers. If your fingers stay limp and stationary, you better bet that the judges will definitely call you on it.
2. Stage Presence – Yes, you MUST work the crowd. No if, ands or buts. Stage diving is always welcome.
3. Airness – This one is kind of hard to explain. While we all know that you are trying to imitate the act of playing a guitar without really having one, you must transcend that fact that you are merely imitating and create a performance that becomes more art than imitation.
21 competitors. 21 performances. Words cannot describe what it was like to watch each one performance so I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
If you would like to learn more about the US Air Guitar Championships, check out the website (www.airguitarnation.com)
The Pierces – A Local Must See
Daniela Chunga
Sometimes it’s hit or miss when you come across music from teenage dramedies. Some shows are full of mainstream drench that MTV pumps through every single show, incessantly. But once in a while you hit musical gold and thanks to CW’s “Gossip Girl;” I was able to discover a little known band that is pure heaven.“The Pierces” consist of Allison and Catherine Pierce. Both are lead vocals, backing vocals, harmony vocals, guitars, and whistling. Yes, you heard me, whistling. Together, Catherine and Allison are a force to be reckoned with. They fuse their quirkiness into one of the best albums I’ve heard in a very long time.
“Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge” is actually the third album by the duo and most likely the album that brought them into the spotlight. In fact, two songs from that album were featured on an episode of “Gossip Girl”. And to be fair, it’s the only album I’ve heard from them and I wasn’t even aware that it was the third one!
What draws me to “The Pierces” is not only their unique song style but their storytelling and incredible blending of vocals. The vocals alone will have you wondering just whose voice is whose. It is amazing how even though they both have different vocal ranges, somehow they are able to combine them and make you believe that it could be either one of them singing.Plus, it also helps that every song is about revenge. Even the ballads! That’s always a plus in my book. No, I’m not jaded if that’s what you’re thinking. I just try to bands that aren’t like everyone else is all. It’s just refreshing to come across female bands that aren’t singing love ballads or punk rock songs about a boy they have a crush on. A little revenge is good and healthy once in a while.
However, The Pierces strength lies in their live shows. Once they hit the stage, they are able to draw you in with their seductive dances and delightful banter. They are so undeniably talented. This is a band that I would gladly get out and see anytime they are in the city and seriously so should you.
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