Chavez

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• Genre: Indie/Alternative

About

One of Indie Rock's greatest acts, Chavez went quietly unnoticed until their demise following Ride the Fader (1996). However, they raised the bar for droves of math-by-way-of-melody aspirants in their short career, blending simple, atonal, and de-tuned electrics with a remarkably sharp and self-editing rhythm section. Bassist Mike Hoskins helped define his instrument's role, sparsely yet creatively writing in both high and low registers. Singer-guitarist Matt Sweeny also showed equal penchants for innovation and kinetic melody, writing instantly memorable, impossible-to-replicate hooks and arranging his parts with a keen, discerning eye. Rather than beating a chorus to death, Sweeny and company avoided redundancy and kept a leash on the stadium rock -- a brilliant quality that brought a new generation of pop musicians to indie/progressive, and vice-versa.

- Kelly Bauman