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Last Updated:
Mar 19th, 2008 - 07:43:02 |
SSM
Now Wave
It’s a new first in my journalism world. I’m on a conference call with two of Detroit’s elite rockers, SSM’s Marty Morris and John Szymanski, and I’ve never quite experienced an interview like this.
No, it’s not the guys, Morris is sick and Szymanski is here in full monotone glory, but they aren’t what's weird. This conference call invention is shocking and we're all not used to talking to so many people on the phone at once. “We could get a couple more people on here and have a huge phone sex orgy,” Szymanski says.
SSM is currently on tour with the Von Bondies, taking in the sights of the beautiful Northwest and loving every second of it. Every second, that is, where they aren’t bombarded by shitty White Stripes-esque opening bands and Vermont hippies wearing Northface gear. “It was soooo bad, dude,” Morris says of their Jack and Meg imitation openers in Burlington. “One song was called ‘Black Panties’ and the only lyrics were ‘Black Panties.’” By going to a veritable no man's land (neither SSM or the VBs have played in Vermont), the show was a rough go with only 50 people showing up. “Lots of North Face clothes,” Szymanski says. “There were some dreads, too,” Morris adds. “Lots of hats with ear flaps on them.”
The idea of a Detroit garage rock supergroup is nothing new. There was a time when Mick Collins played in The Sirens and the hot minute that saw Shaw, Meier, Melina and Klein all playing in The Breakdowns. However, what has not been done is a supergroup that has contained the same three members for its entire existence. Enter Detroit’s ultimate power trio, Szymanski, Shettler and Morris, or SSM. In the face of its members playing in probably five other bands, the boys of SSM decided to start a new project to work on more experimental material. “I always thought that Marty’s guitar playing really went with what I did on keyboard,” John says of how the lineup came together. “Dave (Shettler) was really the first guy who wanted to play drums with us and it just worked out well.”
Experimenting with the sound of all their prior bands and other '80s bands, SSM hit upon a groove; one that you could dance and rock out to all at the same time. Yet, what would the garage rock elitists say? This was something completely new — the now wave of modern rock ‘n’ roll. “I’ve had friends of mine come to the show and then I see them waving goodbye after like four songs,” Szymanski says of some people's expectations of SSM. “That’s fine ... not everyone is going to like it.”
Released on Alive Records, SSM’s new record, Break Your Arm For Evolution, isn't for everyone. This is no slight against SSM. “Let’s Make A Baby,” “Déjà Vu” and “Underground” are like weird exercises in Lee Perry reggae, Martian punk rock and Justice-worthy dance tracks. Unfortunately, it's because of close-minded folks that SSM will be thought of as merely a side project, which is easily recognized as unjust after just one listen to the band's latest work. | RDW
SSM • 2/2 • El Comal Mexican Restaurant
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