Pygmalion Local Focus: Withershins
Withershins, formed in 2007 and based out of Champaign, classify their group as a “guitar band” and a “bro band,” first and foremost. But they also admit to being so much more. Their sound falls largely under the shoegaze umbrella, which, for those not familiar with the term, is an alt-rock subgenre featuring a lot of guitar effects and hard-to-decipher vocals working in tandem. They’ve also got a little garage band nastiness thrown in the mix, and I mean nastiness with the highest regard. If you’re into The Smashing Pumpkins (minus Billy Corgan’s penchant for tea) and The Flaming Lips (minus any anti-jelly songs), plus you like your music with a little less polish and a depressing vibe to match your midterm-related state of mind, check ‘em out. You might find yourself swept up in the “spaciness” of a song one minute and then jarred into immediate head banging the next. You might love it. The band’s discography includes “aerial,” “Silver Cities,” and most recently, “A Patient Boy.” On Saturday, September 28, they’ll be performing at Memphis on Main in the 1:15 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. time slot (following Grandkids), so coffee up.