Here's a translation of the review as it appeared in Soundmag.gr
DRIVE BY WIRE DRIVE BY WIRE (MyFirstSonnyWeissmullerRecordings, 2006)
Stoner rock with female sensitivity
A new Dutch band with members not so new in the field presents its first work. Drive by Wire belong to stoner rock, that is, a field that has before long saturated musically and looks almost desperately to disengage itself from its standards and spread to other musical paths, keeping of course the distinctive feel of the genre.
Their musical background (Simone Holsbeek - voice, guitar once played in alternative rockers Cords and the more experimental Telefunk) did not allow them to create something standardized. Of course we cannot neglect the obvious influence by legendary groups such as Kyuss and the Stooges (they have also covered TV Eye of the latter in a live show) in guitar riffs and song structure mentality, but Drive By Wire offer something more that that: feeling and female sensitivity. The first thing the listener of the album notices is the female vocals. Contrary to the vast majority of albums in the genre, you will hear neither grinding male voices soaked in alcohol and hallucinatory drugs, nor even angry descendants of riot grrrls. Simones voice is soft, sweet and sensitive, and emits femininity. Lyrically also, the album is surrounded by a cyclothymic scent that reminds us of the women who make our lives spicier without them never pursuing that. On the one hand, Simone is driven by her personal experiences to sing of loss and pessimism (typical example is The Morning May Never Come), but at the same time she leaves a light pass through a crack ("I know you'll always be around", she mumbles in Windswept) and shows that she can get on with her life stronger (A Brand New Woman). In the sentimentally intense climate of the album also help the vocals of Anneke van Giersbergen from their compatriots The Gathering, either by (mainly) assuming a backup role or by taking up the lead. Especially in Happiness Is Dangerous she hands out an extremely passionate performance.
Maybe the above description puts off stoner rock friends, but it shouldnt, since the group rocks and does it convincingly. Just listening to bully/macho Dirt with the distinctive slide guitar by Alwin Wubben is enough to prove these words. Another special thing about their sound is that in very few tracks you can hear the palpitating sound of bass guitar, since by choice the group does not have a standard bass player. But in the end, double guitars (one of which is tuned lower like a bass) ensure the essential thickness. Musically, when they dont follow the stoner rock heritage, they expand to bluesier trips, while in songs like Hengistbury Road they try to even paint atmospheric post rock soundscapes. The album finishes as it started: with a riff guaranteeing the smooth repeat of the listening. A live show of theirs should be of much interest. It should be noted that all members of The Gathering have contributed as guests in the final result, while drummer Hans Rutten is referred to as a normal member of Drive by Wire. Now Rob Snijders (ex-Celestial Season) has taken up his rhythmic duties.
Finally, the album (which is contained in a simple and beautiful digipack) is wholeheartedly recommended to those who look for a different feel in heavy rock of the (here Dutch) desert, and to those who use music mainly to inspire feelings.
If you dont find it in the record stores, ask it from the e-mail address
info@drivebywire.nl
Communication:
http://www.drivebywire.nl
http://www.myspace.com/drivebywire
Review: Michalis Kouris