Elefant

One of the better missing link neo-'80s bands, Elefant explores the sounds of that decade without being overly derivative, unlike some of the other members of the retro-styled class of 2003. Its debut, Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid, recorded in 2002 and released in '03, is still going strong, and the band soon embarks on a solo tour that features a stop at the Coachella music festival in May.

Jason Baron

I love the 80's: Elefant plays New Wave for a new generation of alterna-kids.

Details

Scheduled to open for Calexico on Sunday, March 14. Doors open at 8 p.m. All-ages tickets are $13, available from Zia Records, Stinkweeds, Hoodlums and www.ticketweb.com . For details call 602-258-7888.

Old Brickhouse Grill, 1 East Jackson

Related Content

• Unite and Take Over Vol. 2: More Stories Inspired By the Songs of The Smiths
  January 31, 2012
• Top Cover Songs of 2011
  December 27, 2011
• Is Morrissey Coming to Phoenix?
  September 1, 2011
• Decemberists Bassist Nate Query Talks Influences, The Smiths, and a Love of Americana
  August 9, 2011
• We Love Morrissey, But Does He Love Us?
  November 17, 2011

More About

• Peter Hook
• Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
• Morrissey (Singer)
• Diego Garcia
• The Smiths (Band)

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Elefant's sound is clean and up-tempo, featuring prominent bass reminiscent of Peter Hook. While the music flashes on New Order, it also sound-checks Blur and The Smiths. Vocalist Diego Garcia, of model good looks and the ever-fashionable ironic mullet, often sounds like Morrissey if he were happy, even producing a couple of warbling near-yodels in homage to the Mozzer.

While evocative of '80s music, the edginess and risk-taking that were part of that decade (and definitive of the bands Elefant most emulates) is largely missing from this album. Kind of like all the alterna-kids in school who wear purple hair and metal in their eyebrows but never once got stuffed into a garbage can for it, Elefant could be accused of taking the genre for granted without having to pay the dues.