As music and technology continue to progress, the standard rock band is becoming harder to define. With genres blurring, and eras coming back and forth into popularity, an identity is something that not only the audience expects, but comes to hold onto. The funk bandwagon and the primitive techno beats have rolled downhill and out of site as musicians are becoming more accomplished with the instruments now affordably available. It was only a matter of time before the 80s crept back into pop rock. Lifestyle, a synthpop trio from Boston, has not only embraced the decade, they apparently never left it in the first place.
Early stages of the band date back to 1988, and although comparisons to every atypical 80s band pop up within each conversation, it truly is hard to deny the familiarity. Though what they are quick to point out is that, sure, they focus on a particular genre, stamp dated in a particular time, but isn’t every band? "That's just what we're into" says co-keyboardist Tony Norton dressed in his sleek black suit and skinny Devo-esque tie. This particular night, the band was on a co-bill with goth bands Voltaire and Scissorfight, clearly out of their environment. Referring to the audience calling out requests that encompassed everything you relate to "Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club", Tony continues, "this doesn’t happen (at our usual gigs, with electronica fans). Just like at Jamband shows, when a band is playing…people don’t shout out 'play Casey Jones'."
Behind the dramatic, New Order vocals of Sean Drinkwater, is the synth work of Norton, and Seth Hatfield. Both equipped with mid-80’s Roland synths, analog MIDIs and rounded out over the Powerbook G4 which is loaded with Digital Peformer, the band moves through a set much like a club DJ. Beats are laid down, and the keyboard, guitar work, and vocals dance on top. The culmination of sounds and avante-garde performance art give Lifestyle a unique character in a unique genre.
A recent opening slot for Interpol at Lupo's in Providence has brought the band more attention, and a vinyl 12" created for dance clubs is due out this year.
