A LONG-HAUL VIEWPOINT FOR THE NEGRO PROBLEM.Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer Members of the Negro Problem, one of the city's most popular indie in·die n. Informal 1. One, such as a studio or producer, that is unaffiliated with a larger or more commercial organization. 2. bands, aren't worried about the close quarters close quarters Noun, pl at close quarters a. engaged in hand-to-hand combat b. very near together Noun 1. involved in touring the country in a van. In fact, the trio is looking forward to the experience when they hit the road in October. ``We've taken a long time to already get to know each other well, so we know what not to say or do,'' says band leader Mark Stewart Mark Stewart is the name of several notable people:
v creating friction and heat by drawing the hands across the body at varying speeds, rhythms, and depths. Benefits include muscle elongation, tension release, and increased flexibility. each other the wrong way.'' The Negro Problem appears tonight at Spaceland in Silver Lake on a bill with Sissybar, Velouria and Cockeyed Ghost. The band's second album, ``Joys & Concerns'' (Ariel Flipout), was recently issued. The Silver Lake-based Negro Problem formed in the early '90s. The trio has enjoyed positive reviews and a loyal local following. ``Some people can't handle the group, even though we've pared things down a bit,'' singer-songwriter Stewart admits. ``Maybe we're a little ambitious for the average listener. For a lot of people, the average record they hear is not very musically ambitious.'' While major labels have often come calling, Stewart says the band has been wary of signing a deal after hearing of nightmares caused by recent corporate mergers. ``Since the implosion implosion /im·plo·sion/ (im-plo´zhun) see flooding. im·plo·sion n. 1. in the industry, the smarter bands are looking at majors with more fear,'' said Stewart, who is in his 30s. ``If we signed with a major label, we know exactly how we'd be treated - like stepchildren in some fairy tale fairy tale Simple narrative typically of folk origin dealing with supernatural beings. Fairy tales may be written or told for the amusement of children or may have a more sophisticated narrative containing supernatural or obviously improbable events, scenes, and personages . They'd record the best record we could ever make, and it would sit on the shelf unreleased after demographic studies show that no 12-year-old would ever buy it. ``I have friends who have records sitting there that will never be released that they can't afford to buy back from the label.'' With the explosion in one-hit-wonder teen-pop, veteran club bands like the Negro Problem look at music as a lasting career choice. ``What do we have to complain about?'' Stewart says. ``This is our life, and this is what we do. We actually have a lot more in common with folk or blues artists than the Backstreet backstreet Noun a street in a town far from the main roads Adjective denoting secret or illegal activities: a backstreet abortion backstreet n Boys. We're in it for the long term.'' |
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