Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC > UMM … DROP

Gildon Works

By Katherine Silkaitis

Add Comment | Comments: 3 | Posted Sep. 15, 2009

Gildon Works relaxes in the grass.

Photo by Michael Persico

Listen to Gildon Works on the Umm...Drop podcast.

Gildon Works’ Gerard Angelini has gone from drums to guitar to vocals and now he’s even a limelight-seeking frontman. Except that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

“There’s six of us and everyone’s doing something. There’s a lot of different melodic stuff going on ... and Gerard has definitely taken on the role of frontman,” bassist Cody Ferdinand says as Angelini visibly winces. “Though not necessarily with Mick Jagger moves,” Ferdinand adds with a laugh. 

Since Angelini and Ferdinand began playing as Gildon Works a few years back, they’ve seen the band go through a number of changes that have included expanding the band to a septet and seeing some of their key members depart and new members come in, including keyboardist and former Icy Demons member Dave Moylan and drummer Chris Wilson. Adopting the swagger and brash sexuality of the Rolling Stones, however, is not part of those changes. 

As Gildon Works prepares to release their first full-length album, Artful Rifle , they continue to combine the tension and angst of late ‘80s post-punk with the dense layers and distorted guitars of shoegaze and orchestral indie pop. There’s a quiet determination and restrained passion that permeates the band’s tunes as they balance delicate melodies with darker undertones. 

“I like edge in art, something that just makes you feel kind of uncomfortable ... music that makes you want to move, but that’s not feel good music,” Angelini says. “I think we all agree—that’s the one thing that keeps on coming out. It can be a pretty song, but there’s always this thing that makes you feel tension.” 

Sat., Sept. 19, 9pm. $10. With Arc in Round + Pattern Is Movement. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. johnnybrendas.com

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COMMENTS

Comments 1 - 3 of 3

1. APA said... on Sep 18, 2009 at 11:37AM

“Wow. Clearly the author has never even listened to GW. Shoe-gaze? I think not. They are way to agressive for that.

Is this article about the Stones or GW? I am unclear....”

2. texAZZ said... on Sep 19, 2009 at 03:27AM

“Yes, but how will people stay awake through arc in round? It's the red nyquil of music — not even the good kind of boring.”

3. spacerockjoe said... on Sep 19, 2009 at 05:09PM

“@APA,
Swervedriver is classified as shoegaze and they were aggressive. It's not all Slowdive and Pale Saints.”