THESE UNITED STATES
JONATHAN BENTON BOOKS, BIRMINGHAM, AL
MARCH 7, 2008
WORDS & PHOTOS: ALEC NIEDENTHAL

When I heard that These United States would be performing at a local book store, I expressed a smidgen of disbelief. Jonathan Benton Booksellers seemed far too small to accommodate a band of even marginal size, let alone two bands of marginal size.

After seeing (and participating in) These United States’ performance, I was stripped of two illusions: first, that Jonathan Benton is a decent book store as far as selection goes; second, that my doubts regarding the store's suitability as a performance space were completely unfounded. J.B.B. provided a warm atmosphere for the band’s impassioned, freewheeling performance.

These United States are an indie rock three-piece who play rollicking yet gentle indie rock. Their music sounds like a splash within a tsunami. The stripped-down, lovely gait of their songs contrasts nicely with the innovative method they've devised of touring behind their debut album, A Picture of the Three of Us at the Garden of Eden (they're playing thirty-three dates, at each show reworking and performing their set with another band or artist, whose ranks include notable set-sharers include Why?, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Bon Iver and Nat Baldwin). They played the Birmingham show with a local band, The Triceratops, whom I had never heard but for whom most of the audience, consisting of roughly 30-35 people (and, thankfully, not too many hipsters), seemed to be there; they stayed, however, for These United States.

The packed crowd, relative, of course, to the diminutive size of the venue, seemed pleased but unenthusiastic as These United States opened by playing three songs by themselves, without accompaniment by The Triceratops. When the local dinosaurs finally emerged, the setup looked like this (or see pics): two drum sets; a pretty cute violinist with awesome hair; a trumpet player in the corner; a bassist and a guitarist, who switched instruments with each other after each song; and TSU's personable singer/guitarist, Jessie Elliot. Elliot, busy working the crowd, telling jokes in between songs.

Once they got started with their set, These United Triceratops immediately displayed a sort of empowered, primordial confidence, remarkable due to their short practice time, which Jessie cited as one hour in a basement. They played with awe-inspiring precision, with the rhythm section being especially fervid and at times, when things got really heated, transcendent.

At one point, Jessie asked whether anyone in the crowd played music. I immediately raised my hand and pointed out my friend, who accompanied me. Jessie gestured for him to join the band on-stage, and the Triceratops’ drummer handed him a shaker. I then joined him for the noble duty of banging on a stool. The results are documented below; it was by far one of the coolest things I’ve ever done, and I don’t just throw superlatives around. We were even able to follow the band’s directions by ear, which made me wish that I had some inkling of musical talent so that I could do so with a real instrument instead of. . . a stool.

I and the crowd were disappointed when Jessie announced their final song, “Slow Crows Over” (the best song off of their album and one of the best songs I’ve heard in 2008). The performance was unbelievable, capturing the levity of the song with a primal intensity from the dual drummers and a blistering innocence radiating from the violinist and both guitarists. Even the trumpet player was on fire. The trumpet player.

If they can capture the energy they put into an accompanied live show and recapitulate it in album form, These United States could be dangerous. A Picture of the Three of Us might not catch on this time around, but next time, Watch Out, Indie Rock.

We caught up with Jessie from the and the day after the show to ask him about his novel tour idea, SXSW and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock":

'Sup: So what did you guys think of the show last night?
Jessie Elliot: It was fun. We had a blast. The Triceratops were amazing. It was fun to listen to. Yeah, they made our night, and the crowd was great; they were really listening, which we love. It was good, we’re coming back to Birmingham.

What kind of interesting experiences have you guys had thus far, seven days in to your tour?
Oh, yeah man. We had some interesting experiences in Birmingham last night. It’s been kind of a whirlwind, but every night has been interesting, becoming closer friends with musicians we’re playing with than we would normally get to, which is nice. And we, uh, sit down and eat peanut butter and bananas together, they have some ideas for us, and we have some ideas for them...just reminds me of a community. It’s been great, but perhaps in three weeks I’ll be singing a different tune.

You seem pretty worldly, but you could become really cynical overnight.
That’s a possibility.

Didn’t you guys open for Do Make Say Think back in the day?
We did. That was about six months ago. They were amazing, even though that was a while ago.

(awkward pause while corresps. figure out next question) You guys are playing with Bon Iver and Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, right?
Yeah, that’s going to be amazing.

Your sounds should meld with Bon Iver nicely. There are some really cool shows coming up. You guys are playing at SXSW. Are you looking forward to that?
Yeah, they should make a movie about that. Springtime in Austin. Starring us. A comedy. But yeah, we’ll be seeing a lot of people who are our heroes of art. We’re excited to play with other musicians who we admire. Are you going?

Me?
Yeah.

Considering I’m 17 years old and still live with my parents…
Well now’s the time to start, man.

Well, it also costs money.
Oh yeah. That’s true.

So your album came out last Tuesday.
Yes, that’s correct. We’re really excited. The response has been generally great so far.

I think SXSW will be a huge event for you guys. I’m even excited to see the response.
Well, we’re not going to worry too much about it.

If you could pick one band who you’re most excited to play with, who would it be?
If I could pick one band…our friends the Cotton Jones Basket Ride. They sound sort of like Califone. Maybe if I had to pick one, that would be one. There’s a band called Musee Mecanique that we’re really excited to play with, and Johanna Kunin too.

Playing with Why? should be awesome.
We’re really excited about that.

You said that you’ve been influenced by writers. Which writers specifically?
Well, there’s only really one poem that’s influenced me significantly. That would be 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.'

Oh, I love that one. You should read “The Cocktail Party” if you like Eliot. It’s a play.
I’ll check it out.