A Primitive Evolution is very different theoretically from its predecessor Lye, a band known equally for it’s highly addictive, energetic rock shows as it was for the members’ tendencies to drink way too many Jagermeister shots on stage.
“A Primitive Evolution is more of a social commentary where the state of us, or the state of our culture, with as much advancements as we’ve made, technology-wise, industrial, whatever, we as people are so primitive in the way we behave. It’s still a primitive evolution and we can’t forget that,” vocalist/guitarist Brett Carruthers said.
“It was always a concept to show the evolution of man from nothing, from the ape. We’re just trying to show true instinct through music. That’s all we want,” he said.
The thing about Brett Carruthers is something has always thrown me off about him musically – I can never figure out if I think he is the most rock and roll or the most corporate person I know. He said Lye split because of creative differences and business problems, but also drunkenly suggested love may have played a role in the demise of what could have been the band to redefine music in Toronto.
From a rock standpoint I think it’s partially awesome (and somewhat tragic) love may have broken up the band – how very modern Yoko Ono. From a corporate perspective I am curious what exactly business problems meant. Then I also think fuck it, why analyze it. I should just be happy another band was created because if one thing is for certain, the man knows how to make awesome music.
“It’s all rock and roll,” Carruthers said. “In Lye it was pretty much all myself writing it, with A.P.E it is all four people coming together to make music. It’s great chemistry.”
Thursday’s show at the Bovine was only A.P.E’s third live performance together. They played eight songs to a packed house, and will soon be self-recording and producing an 11-track album, expected to be complete in May.
“My friend Stu from Playdead actually came to me and asked me if we wanted to start a jam band,” Carruthers said. “Stu was like let’s jam and write some tunes and I was like sure, we’ll just play music together and see what happens. It was just for fun at first, but then it started working.”
Which brings us both to the Bovine show and the A.P.E connection to Playdead Cult, a Toronto clothing company half owned by Stu. A.P.E recorded a video for their song “Death on Wheels” which played at L’Oreal Fashion Week’s Playdead runway show.
The Bovine show was actually the after party for Stu’s gallery exhibit at Shanghai Cowgirl next door. Stu revealed several custom paintings and guitars designed with famous Playdead Cult images such as crazy keyboards and rockin’ skulls. All of which are available for purchase.
If you haven’t jumped on the A.P.E. train yet, I highly suggest you check them out at www.myspace.com/aprimitiveevolution also
check out Playdead Cult at playdeadcult.com.