ENTERTAINMENT

Duck Man comes to GHC

Cartersvillian guitarist rocks with Atlanta band Used For Comparison

By Andrew Bearden
[email protected]
Staff Writer

- Music Review -

Used For Comparison, the self-described “outfit of rank, weirdo knaves who make rank, weirdo popish music,” is just that.

Where the name came from, I don’t know.  Who would use them for comparison?  Yanni, comparing them against ramen noodles for their light producing properties?  Sly Stallone, comparing them against a bullfrog for spelling? Okay, maybe that’s out there, just a little bit.

This is straight rock and roll. Based in Atlanta, Used For Comparison was formed by Charles Boehmig and Ian McMahon, each playing whatever was needed. Just recently they have added the talents of Cartersvillian guitarist Joseph Kuykendall to their ranks.

Kuykendall says the music is “pretty much pop/rock.  It’s more like ‘smart’ pop or ‘cringe indie’ pop.”  But not indie as in bashing your guitar with a hammer, with the fuzz pedals turned all the way up.

“I guess we’re indie in the sense that we are really independent, and not mainstream,” Kuykendall said.  

“Yes, you can hear the Beatles’ influence in a lot of places, but you can also hear the Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Mark Knopfler, George and Ira Gershwin, Pink Floyd and God knows what else. All plus our peculiar personal influences,” he said.

The band is currently gearing up for a fresh run. They are rehearsing for production of their second album, tentatively titled “Pawn Shop Symphony,” and may soon be planning a couple of live shows in the area.

They have a Myspace page at www.myspace.com/usedforcomparison

I like the eclecticism and eccentricity of the band.  The sense of humor of the members can make for some really interesting material. If you stay open-minded, that is. I give them four notes out of five.