Though the Annuals claim to have no overall message in their latest album, "Be He Me," they pose a question for the listeners themselves to answer: "What can I do for you?"
Adam Baker, the group's lead singer and songwriter, consciously invokes his audience through these lyrics. It is a question most bands would love to ask their fans, not just to make a hit single, but to make a stronger connection through their music.
"So much goes on, there's not really much concentration on one theme. I just hope to write what other people can understand and relate to," Baker said this past Saturday, as he and the band warmed up during sound check before their performance at Exit/In. The Annuals teamed up with The Dears, another new band looking to claw its way to fame.
"My bandmates do influence the music I write; Kenny is a god, a guitar prodigy," Baker said, pointing to Kenny, who stood on the stage.
Although he was pumped up and ready to go for the show, Baker fidgeted in his chair as he explained the rigors of their work on a daily basis: "The hardest part about it is just being tired and being away from family, home. My bandmates are pretty much the only ones I have to talk to sometimes." Much time has passed since the North Carolina-bred band have been home, but the hectic travel and performance schedule has yet to show its wear.
"They're a pretty dynamic group. They could joke around all day long. Baker is just off the wall!" comments tour manager Addison Dailey on the overall personality of the Annuals. "I've been traveling with them for five months so far, and I've just been having a good time."
Because the band often spends hours at a time cramped together in their van and trailer moving from city to city, Baker never loses time in writing. Whatever feelings and thoughts of the moment fill his mind translates into his music. Baker explains that the prominent use of animal metaphors in "Be He Me" is simply "to keep a connection to wildlife. Humans are just in the wrong place right now. They're ruining the earth." He was unwilling to expound upon this revelation, however, as he is intent on keeping interpretations strictly to his listeners.
There was no dramatic experience that drew Baker (singer/songwriter), Kenny (guitar), Zack (drums/guitar), Anna (keyboard/synthesizer), Nick (drums) and Mike (bass) together. It was simply a matter of time and established friendships that united their diverse musical talents. Baker, Mike and Kenny have been playing together for the sake of their own "enjoyment" and "fun" ever since they were 13 years old. For a while, the trio considered themselves a group until they felt the time had come to improve and enhance the level of music at which they were playing.
"We were badly in need of a drummer. We were racking our heads until Zack joined our band. He brought other friends along, but people just kept coming and going. Anna had been in another band, but she stuck around and joined ours. Zack then brought Nick, a childhood friend - and a drummer. After this we were pretty much set. It was good," Baker said.
Although the Annuals are young in years (all members are 21 or younger), the release of "Be He Me" sets a new high point in their career. Only two weeks ago, the Annuals performed "Carry Around" on Conan O'Brien. Originally, they were supposed to play their hit "Brother," but a lack of airtime forced the change, and the show was a success.
A signature characteristic of theirs is experimenting with a variety of sounds by blending pieces of songs together to create an original beat. Even onstage at Exit/In, Baker continually whipped out musical devices not often seen on the rock stage. The band's ability to bring together a unique variety of sounds speaks well of their creativity and talent, and the idea runs parallel with the different personalities that form the Annuals. According to Mike, "Anna is proper, eloquent and decisive. Zack is quiet, well-endowed and sharp. Kenny is masterful and full of purpose. Adam is a creative/destructive explorer, and Nick is grizzly, steady and timely." In order to describe Mike himself, Baker quickly and happily answered, "Red, thunder, pop!"
On their Web site, the band explains that the end result of all their time, effort and craziness is a cross between the Beatles, Radiohead and "other styles ranging from electronic to folk to rock."
For more information on the band and where you can see them, visit their Myspaceor their official Web site. The band's latest album, "Be He Me," can be found in stores and online.
