It’s hard to grasp: here we already have the 7th single of the band Charmless i within just ten months time. Incredible how productive these guys are. The journey of the band so far has led through a string of number 1 singles in several relevant Dutch Indie Charts. This also triggered a lot of (international) attention on social media. Now get ready for the band’s freshest offspring: here is the inflammatory and short power explosion called ‘Cold Queen Killer’.
 
One can once again enjoy the analogue Korg synth bass combined with the pulsating sound of an organically whacked Precision Bass. The catchy layered guitar riffs emphasize the band’s signature sound. And the unmistakable delivery of the front man’s vocals seems to be able to provoke outrageous public riotting. He almost manages to encourage you to instantly pull the paving stones out of the street and to throw them into the first window shop you can find. And all of that within 2 minutes and 23 seconds.
 
However, make no mistake. This is a typical matter of an apparent artistic twist. For lyrically this song is about having a fetish for mentally as well as phyisically strong women, who succesfully dismantle natural male urges. No way the man is allowed to go out and about to booze and riot. He must stay home and obey. This is a rarely encountered sign of respect for women in the present spirit of times, especially in the music industry. This in fact proves ‘Cold Queen Killer’ to be a huge social statement. All of this might lead one to conclude that Charmless i's songwriter is pretty much under the thumb of his spouse and translated his mental issues in nevertheless interesting lyrics. By now this is however nothing more than a hypothesis.
 
About the production process of ‘Next Level’: all string instruments were recorded at the front man’s kitchen table, the electronics and vocals were done in the attic of his home and the drums were recorded in Studio GieSound in the Dutch city of Zwolle. In the very same studio Guido Aalbers went loose and applied his reknown ‘mixing madness’ on the track. Mastering was done by Andy Vendette in New York.
So this story is to be continued! After the intended third E.P. later in 2019 Charmless i plan to consolidate all 12 by then released tracks on an exclusive limited edition vinly record.

Cold Queen Killer

Time To Waste

Most of us at some point in life reach a certain crossroad. At this point the following question emerges: am I only going for instant satisfaction of my darker needs from now on, or am I aiming for bright long-term family happiness? Will I aspire hedonism or a happy home? MDMA or matrimony? Hookers or homemaking? Porn or a pet puppy? This game of simultaneous attraction and repulsion inspired front man Alex for the lyrics of the sixth single of Charmless i named ‘Sweet Love Gravitation’.
Which exit Alex followed in the end? Some things should be left to the imagination. After all, mystification is an indispensable element in the creation of a viable image in pop music. At least Alex opened up his soul to the existence of the gravitational forces of love. Maybe a hint for Alex’ direction of choice in life can be found in the seemingly meaningless vocal harmonies which shape the chorus of this single. In these vocals the voices of all four band members are featured, which once again determines the explicit signature band sound of all the tracks of the forthcoming second E.P. ‘Next Level’.
From the first line of the first verse on, Alex sounds as a master of ceremony for a hedonistic orgy. Possible associations here are Bowie and Ferry. With regards to the arrangement, ‘Sweet Love Gravitation’ is a blend of the more light-hearted tracks of Blur and the darker sound which characterizes many tracks of Depeche Mode.  From their varied style book Charmless i applied a prominent synth-oriented sound, which is generated by an analogue Korg MS20. On top of this some layered guitar riffs are added as well as a pulsating bass line. Rhythmically the single offers a combination of the old skool sound of a Roland TRT-808 drum computer, combined with acoustic drums. 
The production process of ‘Sweet Love Gravitation is identical to that of all the tracks which ended up on the first E.P. ‘First Coming’. All string instruments were recorded at Alex’ kitchen table, the electronics and vocals were done in the attic of his home and the drums were once again recorded in Studio GieSound in the Dutch city of Zwolle. In the very same studio Guido Aalbers went loose and applied his renown ‘mixing madness’ on the track. Mastering was again done by Andy Vendette in New York. 
On March 7th Charmless i present their new E.P. ‘Next Level’ in venue Victorie in Alkmaar, with special guests The Pheromones from Amsterdam.
On April 20th Charmless i play at the Kaaspop Festival in Alkmaar, with (amongst others) Waylon and Jett Rebel.

‘Sweet Love Gravitation’: the festival hit van 2019? It could happen just like that.

Sweet Love Gravitation

Botox

Track by Charmless i.
Mixed & produced by Guido Aalbers and Charmless i, Zwolle (NL)
Mastered by Andy Vendette, New York (USA)
may 2019

Superhero

The E.P. closes with the most direct indictment of developments in society: ‘One Less Gun’. It was written on the evening of the assaults in the Parisian venue ‘Bataclan’ in 2015 in which 89 people died. In Paris a total of 129 people were killed that night by actions of terrorists. Recent assaults in Texas and Ohio make clear that this is still a very topical subject at this moment. This song simply states that every gun taken out of society makes the chances of these kinds of occurrences smaller. Prominent in the arrangement is the classic DX7 FM synthesizer. The rebellious lead guitar licks cut right through the mix again, in the signature manner which the one-off band Charmless i characterize

One Less Gun

‘Take me home tonight’ keeps it thematically smaller. Front man Alex has done it before and is not ashamed to do it again: acknowledging his fetish for a dominant woman. He would be more than happy to be dragged by her into her love crib and to be entirely worn out by her. Again and again. All over. Hopefully his spouse won’t find out. The simple but effective guitar lick in the verses will make you tap your feet. The sweet melodically rising guitar lick in the choruses will enchant you. All and all, this track offers a perfect match between electronics and the traditional craft of guitar playing.

Take me home tonight

Long Time Coming

Every once in while you discover a new band which immediately hooks you with their fresh and yet recognizably pleasant sound. Such a band you’re about to discover right now. The energetic four-piece is called Charmless I. The band is the brainchild of Dutch singer-songwriter Alex Pasveer, who has made many flight hours with his former band Steed, which released two studio albums and toured extensively at home and abroad.
Alex has now written a dozen or so criminally catchy tracks of which the first single ‘Fire Up (here we go)’ was digitally released in May 2018 by indie label TCBYML. It has led to a great deal of even international enthusiastic attention on social media and a #2 position in the Dutch Indie chart. The second single ‘Giant Leap for my Kind’ was released in June 2018, in order to keep the fire of attention burning. Mid-August the song reached the #1 position in the influential FTM-chart. Also in August the third single ‘Rabbit Hole’ was released, which entered the FTM-chart at #15 and reached the top spot in the second week already. In September an EP was released, containing all released singles including the intended fourth single ‘Dream (the Night Hag)’. The four tracks were mastered by Andy Vendette, who has worked with artists such as David Bowie and the Beastie Boys. You will undoubtedly notice the touch of this master.
The three released singles are a representative acquaintance with the energetic sound of Charmless I, in which a firm guitar sound is combined with modern stuff such as synth-bass and electronic drums. The other tracks of the band are also refined and anthem-like and will be eagerly consumed by those who like bands such as New Order, Blur, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Stone Roses and the like. Need more anchor? Let’s call it ‘Electro-Britrock’.
Alongside Alex you may notice a familiar face on lead guitar. Alex has rudely revived the musical career of Rutger van Mourik. He is the former frontman of Britpop band Flemming who released two highly acclaimed albums on major label Warner in the first decade of the century. The rhythm section of the band is solid as a rock. Drummer Bart Klomp and bass player Auke Haaksma are a class act. They met during their studies at the conservatory in Alkmaar, therefore know each other thoroughly and are able to musically relate on a very high level.
And the band name is ironic of course. We are extremely charming indeed.