4TheRcrd Mag.

The Clips are a 5 piece electronic rock group from Vancouver. They’re playing at the Sweatshop (1820 Pandora St., near Commercial & Hastings) tonight at 9:00PM. Note, you want to use the back alley entrance, which is a necessary condition if you want to see the show at all. As for pricing, it’s a mere $7 and seems well worth it, considering they’re playing with a few other notable Vancouver groups: Bend Sinister, Treacherous Machete, among others, and a 1/2dj dance party will ensue till 4:00am. Why would you want to hear these guys? Well, their influences are Beta Band, Spoon, Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Joy Division, Stone Roses, hip hop, reggae, UNKLE, and many others. Originally they started with just synths and drums, but then added bass, and guitar, and an extra computer/keyboard player. But this isn’t the exciting part, in my opinion.

I was privy to finding out that they are recording their first album to be released late September, or early October, following a tour halfway across Canada supporting Bend Sinister. The tour will be sponsored by CBC 3 and will feature the two Vancouver acts, and also a local band in every town they play. This tour will be their first effort on the road. Call it a kind of a trick to get some great airplay from full houses around the country! If all goes well, they’ll be co-producing a documentary to be premiered on CBC television about demystifying independent touring in Canada, hehe.

The album will be released by their own damn selves and is a totally DIY effort - like totalling a whopping 11 songs. That’s full-length no? They have recorded everything in their own bedrooms (read: “Studios”), living rooms, and garages, and will be mixing it the same way. So far they have no plans to solicit a big label, and are having fun playing to local crowds and living happy lives in their home town. Future tour plans include a stint down the West coast to California, made possible by the fact that Edo was born in Miami, Florida, and is therefore a “bloody yankee!” in his own words!

They’ve played at most Vancouver venues, and are based in the Sugar Factory Studios at the foot of Clark St. On August 3rd they’ll be featured at Richards On Richards (1036 Richards St.) by the promoters/DJ’s ‘1/2 Alive’. In September they’ll be playing a tour kickoff again with Bend Sinister, most likely at the Wise Hall.

I think that’s good? Want more? I can always give more, or be more specific about something. Feel free to send me some questions… I love written queries. And these guys love answering my questions — you see, we get along. CHEERS!

PHOTO CREDIT: The Clip’s myspace.