Modern Syndrome

Concert Review (Portland, Maine)

Modern Syndrome, a band based out of Portland, Maine, is like many local bands in a lot of ways. They play shows more often for the fun of it than for money, they have no immediate goal of "making it" – they just want to have fun and they wouldn't mind being paid in free beers. The only difference? Not one member of the band is older than 17. So nix the beers and sit tight for a story about young musicians with talent that refuse to boast.

Modern Syndrome is a trio of Portland teens: guitarist Chris DiRocco, bassist Zach Higgins and drummer Sam Anderson. Their most recent show was at Space Gallery on Congress St. in Portland on February 16th with for Honey Clouds (another local act) and touring band Company from Brooklyn. Even though they were releasing their EP that night Modern Syndrome was slated to play first.

"Originally we were set to play first, but when I told the booking agent we were disappointed to be playing first on our own release date he said he could change it…but by then the rest of us just decided we wanted to play first and get it over with," said Chris DiRocco, guitarist. "The two times before [tonight] we played second, and then we headlined one...it just depends on who we're playing with really…who wants to let us play when."

This laissez-faire attitude probably stems from the fact that the boys of Modern Syndrome have become the little brothers of the Portland Rock scene family. The band has been together longer than most local bands, technically for four years playing middle school talent shows under the name Modern Syndrome. Their songwriting is carefully planned, catchy, and executed with stage presence and swagger appropriate for the mostly adult audiences.

"As far as anyone else thinks we're a relatively new band…that just emerged on the Portland scene, happened to be a really young and tight band, out of nowhere." Chris explains. Well the truth is that the trio (and other revolving members) had been practicing since they were 11 and 12, practicing their instruments and honing their skills until the time was right to share their music with their peers, who just happen to be a good five to ten years older than them.

"Nobody really paid much attention to us before we played the first club show at Geno's with Diamond Sharp and Citadel…in November 2006." He said. The first three years of their band's career was spent playing talent shows and rehearsing - no wonder Portland's listening public was impressed when they saw Chris DiRocco take the stage with the spot-on drumming and bass work from Higgins and Anderson. Since the show at Geno's, Modern Syndrome has been playing to a good turnout regularly.

In the last year, even DiRocco has noticed changes about the way he and his band play. "The band as far as sound goes...has changed a lot...Our sound is more straight forward. I feel the songs I'm writing now are better and more honest than the songs I wrote before. Honest in the sense that I feel I'm putting more in to [them]... I've probably developed a different approach to my guitar playing...Sam's drumming has improved a lot. Zach never needed to fix anything, his bass playing needs nothing more or nothing less. I think maybe we are more confident now that we've been accepted in the scene and started creating a fan base."

But the fan base isn't their cohorts at school staying out late on a Friday night to support them. "People in high school just can't be expected to concern themselves with us...They don't support local bands or go to shows, even all ages...It seems the only kind of local teenagers concern themselves with is crust punk, hardcore, and straight-edge. We're the only ones interested in art rock...all of our sounds are derivative of the original indie pioneers: the Velvet Underground, Pavement, Sonic Youth, Will Oldham, Bill Callahan, Lou Barlow…..." DiRocco explained.

So the real fans of Modern Syndrome are an older crowd, in their 20s who experienced indie-rock thriving in the Portland scene in the late 90's and early 00's. The more selective taste of individuals who are no longer in high school "following the crowd" makes the 20-somethings perfect fans for Modern Syndrome.

As the set played on Saturday night the newly formed crowd edged closer to the stage to hear the thoughtful set list and to see the young band. DiRocco plays guitar with casual control and a disregard for stage conventions. Higgins stands stone still with his bass and looks off in to the distance, his outfit, haircut and attitude placing him as a British Invasion enthusiast. Sam Anderson, the youngest of the three, is a very calm drummer and wastes no energy abusing his drums, but bobs up and down to the beat as he plays in a way that can only be described endearing.

For their ages, song content is remarkably mature. So are the boys. DiRocco himself was sporting a full beard at the end of 2008. As the set closes up Gaylen Richmond (also a Portland musician) requests an encore. Surprised, although they shouldn't be, Modern Syndrome bickers over what song to play. "We're going to #$% this up," Chris says as he starts playing. The crowd laughs and they love the song, shaky parts and all.

Modern Syndrome can be seen playing regularly at Portland, Maine venues, but if you're too anxious to wait or too busy to travel you can hear some examples and see some pictures at www.myspace.com/modernsyndrome. Unique vocals, deft picking, prodigy range and all can be found there.

Originally published in Spare Change News 3/06/08.