ArtistInfo

People Noise
Ordinary Ghosts

Album US 2007 on People Noise label
Rock

REVIEWS /// popmatters VHS OR BETA'S ZEKE BUCK'S NEW DUO LAYS DOWN BIG ANGUISHED GUITARS NEXT TO SYNTHY SOUNDWASHES... IN A WEIRD HYBRID OF THE CURE AND NIRVANA. If you buy the 20-year cycle theory, we are getting very close to grunge revival, a time when names like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and, ahem, Temple of the Dog will be dropped with offhanded reverence. Zeke Buck's post-VHS or Beta project is getting the jump on the trend with 10 dark-toned, arena-friendly songs that combine the Cure's doomed melodramatics with late grunge's glossy angst. It's a large-scale sound for just two players -- Buck is paired with drummer Matt Johnson. You automatically picture hockey arena crowds and dry ice fumes, but not without a vulnerable side. Best cuts here, anthemic opener "A Million Lives" and 1970s-shredding "The Sun and the Moon, The Moon and the Sea" channel genuine feeling through dense textures of guitar and drum. There's a too-slick, late 1980s MTV drama at work the opening vocals of "The Killing Fields", but it's eviscerated by a sinister, snake-y guitar riff. Funny, when a self-released debut sounds sleeker and more commercial than the stuff on the majors. BURNING ANGEL People Noise is the new project from Zeke Buck, formerly of VHS or Beta, a band I?m pretty sure that I really hated. I know they toured with Duran Duran recently, which is almost kinda sorta cool, but I?m pretty sure I?m not going back there. Neither is Zeke, evidently, but with songs as good as the ones on Ordinary Ghost, there?s no real reason to look back. People Noise is not the type of band that my old-ass self would associate with Louisville. It?s not the Rodan and Rachel?s of my college years, but ironically enough, it takes a lot of the sounds of the early 90s and uses them pretty effectively in the 2K8. There?s a 90s pulse under a lot of the stuff, not unlike what the Killers were doing on their first record, but not overly obtrusive. Rest assured there are also ample doses of Corgan-approved guitar all over Ordinary Ghosts, whether it be big rock or pastoral picking. The mix is real wet, maybe a little too wet for my tastes, but really all of the songs here are so solid that I can?t quibble on production. Ordinary Ghost has been getting a lot of attention by music dorks and trend-hoppers alike and for once it?s nice to see a band with songs getting some notice. I?m excited to see them live soon, as it sure looks like they won?t be playing Lit [NYC lounge] next time they come through town. Zeke Buck and the rest of People Noise have put themselves a hell of a record with Ordinary Ghosts. I don?t hold a ton of nostalgia for the sound of the mall-alternative 90s, but I like it a whole lot more than the Hot Topic-ification of punk. The songs here take the best parts of shoegaze and electronic bands from that era and remold it into something as relevant as anything you would hear today. Call it what you will, but there is nothing ordinary about People Noise. - Digg! mainstreamisntsobad.blogspot.com/2007/10/ I've been meaning to write about People Noise's debut album Ordinary Ghosts forever now. It's been out since May, so I have no excuse for taking this long to do so. The band is composed of former VHS or Beta guitarist Zeke Buck (of 10 years) and former Boom-Bip member Matt Johnson. Put the two together and you get a high voltage sound that's dense, fuzzy, and loud most of the time (somewhat reminiscent of earlier Smashing Pumpkins' work - try A Million Lives, the album opener, below), while curiously employing some piano tinkling to keep it interesting (as in the album closer, Older). If you want to turn your stereo up loud and rock out, look no further... Fanatic Louisville, KY quintet People Noise is on a mission. Just like in the days before the Interwebs when the only way for a band to build a fan base was consistent touring, the band led by former VHS or Beta guitarist Zeke Buck set out on a seemingly endless tour last April with dates stretching into late September this year. ...And the tour itinerary keeps stretching onward. “There’s so much lost time to cover,” says Buck in a recent interview with The Louisville Eccentric Observer’s Mat Herron. “Basically, I’m trying to start anew.” After a successful 10 year run in VHS or Beta – which included a national arena tour with Duran Duran – Buck now devotes his time and talent to People Noise, the band he started with good friend and ex-Boom Bip member Matt Johnson. With Johnson on drums and Buck on, well, everything else, these Louisville natives have produced an epic, drone-laced rock album reminiscent of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Spiritualized and Interpol. Although we never heard him sing a lick during his years in VHS or Beta, Buck’s resume would lead us to ask the question, “why the hell not?” From the ripe age of only four years old he was belting out opera all over the country until the inevitable struck: puberty. Unfortunately for him, it struck in the middle of a performance. It wasn’t until only recently that Buck began to sing again. For a number of months he studied under Turley Richards, a blind Louisville musician with a vocal range that would impress Whitney Houston, and eventually regained the confidence that was lost long ago. On People Noise’s debut album Ordinary Ghosts, Buck sings about everything from reincarnation to thoughts on his former band. Johnson, a guitarist turned drummer with an experimental electronic music background, boasts quite a resume himself. During his time in Boom Bip, he toured extensively across Europe and has shared the stage with notable acts like LCD Soundsystem, Yo La Tengo, Pinback and Matt Pond PA. Johnson has also performed at London BBC Peel Sessions, Centre Pompideu, Royal Festival Hall and The Renne Music Festival in Renne, France. Not to mention he studied the djembe under Yaya Diallo for a number of years. Quite an accomplishment for a guy who wrote and performed all of the drum parts on Ordinary Ghosts on a rural Kentucky farm with no internet and no cell phone service! 5.0 out of 5 stars If you miss Ordinary Ghosts, you are truly missing out. ashbug This first CD released from People Noise is a a gem that gets better and better with every listen. "Older", "Turn Around", "The Killing Fields", etc. have all become mutual favorites. These guys have it. I eagerly await the release of their next CD. Until then, Ordinary Ghosts will remain a daily listen. 5.0 out of 5 stars Waiting for new CD W Johnson If People Noise's upcoming CD is as good as their first, then it will be in my collection as soon as it comes out. Thier first CD was a rare combination of soild rock music and alluring lyrics-quite a feat for first time out. Keep it coming guys-it's just a matter of time and exposure. 5.0 out of 5 stars You don't find this often... By Joel Blu Saw these guys live several months ago and picked up the disc right then and there. It's been in regular rotation in both CD player and ipod ever since. What's most impressive is that it's still getting better with every listen. This is a sound that's well put-together and complex enough to last. beautiful sounds Joseph D. 5.0 out of 5 starsbeautiful sounds May 21, 2008 Format: Audio CD I caught these guys live twice last year and was blown away both times. The kind of dreamy nostalgia for the unknown they've managed to evoke in their music still gets me. "Turn Around" is an all time favorite of mine now. Thanks guys. 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! By Leah Ruder This cd has literally been in my player atleast once a day for a year. It is just that good. The lyrics stimulate your mind and the music rocks your body. Catch them live if you get a chance. They are fabulous. 5.0 out of 5 stars Driving Favorite! By Liz G I love this CD and after having it for months it is still a constant choice for my driving music! It can make a whole car load of people get along... everyone always loves it. Can't wait for another CD! LOVE IT! 5.0 out of 5 stars !!! By Jessica L. Beisler This album takes a familiar sound from old favorites like Smashing Pumpkins and pushes us a few steps further, adding something new and edgy. Ordinary Ghosts is definitely a must have!! 5.0 out of 5 stars Keep the music coming! By Imelda in Training This album completely tops anything from your VHS or Beta days. It's simply the best, both lyrically and musically. Two thumbs up!! Hope you guys are back in Louisville soon!! 5.0 out of 5 stars great sound By daveon saw people noise at the mercury lounge last summer and ended up getting their cd. amazing live show and i've been listening to the cd for months now. 5.0 out of 5 stars wow By Fred Rippleon As a fan of music and the Louisville scene in particular I consider this album a must have item, indicative of more wonderful thins to come. I don't know... gw10101 ...How this cd gets over looked by so many . My band has played with them a few times now and all i can say is that these guys are not only solid musically but real genuine fellas. Something Amazing! My Big Opinion VHS or Beta is a really good band! People Noise is a really outstanding band! They deserve all their success! Unordinary Music Brennan Is Dead Not many bands buck trends (no pun intended), but this band is definitely one of them and that is a great thing. There are too many cookie cutter bands out there just following everyone else's sound. This band takes a different route. The music is guitar-swirled rock reminiscent of some of my favorite 90's era music, with solid writing all around. These guys are great musicians, good friends, and good people. Check them out!

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