Since Semi Precious Weapons formed three years ago, Greenpoint has gotten an infusion of glam rock. And this month, the fabulous foursome brings their guyliner, six-inch stilettos and rock attitude to the neighborhood stage when they play Europa on July 31.
After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, the four members of SPW made their way all to Greenpoint. With Justin Tranter on vocals, Aaron Lee Tasjan on guitar, Cole Whittle on bass and Dan Crean on drums, the band has been creating buzz here and abroad, given much love on both sides of the Atlantic with sold-out shows and praise from music bloggers.
“It's always something I wanted to do. Always, always, always,” says Tranter. “I wanted to start a fun, crazy band that people could come to and party and not have to take it so seriously. Just be gorgeous and have fun.”
Designing jewelry paid the bills, with Tranter's own line, Fetty, sold at places like Hot Topic and Urban Outfitters and a high-end line at Barneys, and he used the success of the day job to fund SPW's debut album, “We Love You.”
That effort comes out September 30 on Razor & Tie, produced by Tony Visconti, who has worked with such glam rock acts as T Rex and David Bowie circa Ziggy Stardust, as well as Morissey.
With their punk-rock aesthetic and Trantor's commanding, gender-bending stage presence backed by rocking guitar riffs, as well as Visconti's attachment, glam rock is an easy label for the band. Beyond that, one of Trantor’s biggest influences are female rappers.
“In the best way possible, they are so cocky and over the top,” says the singer. “I always thought it was so amazing. These women made records talking about how great they are and no one cares. I thought, I want to do that. So I did, but with a rock band.”
Indeed, the album amuses fans with such lyrics as “It’s not my fault I look better in your party dress” on the track “Magnetic Baby,” as well as “I can’t pay my rent but I’m f–king gorgeous!” on “Semi Precious Weapons.”
Though they're gearing up for their record release, the band's biggest thrill is playing live.
“When we write songs, we think about how it's going to fit into a live show,” says Tranter, who wears duds designed by his friends at Greenpoint's Alter (109 Franklin Street) on his six-foot frame when the band goes on stage. “Everything is focused toward the live show. Having people right there in front of you, that's a pretty awesome experience.”
Brooklynites will have the chance to catch SPW live as they play two upcoming engagements — as openers on July 28 at Mercury Lounge and headliners at Europa on July 31. The latter an 18-plus venue with only a $4 cover, the band is psyched that just about anyone can go.
“Rock and roll is for the young people,” says Tranter. “We're just really excited that pretty much anyone can get in to it.”
Joining SPW on the Europa bill are soul group Hopewell, DJ Denny LeNimh and Brooklyn-based rockers Theo and the Skyscrapers. A fan of Theo Kogan's legendary New York band the Lunachicks, it's quite the trip for Tranter to have the singer's latest band open for him.
“Back when I was a kid —– she'll kill me for saying that — I always thought, Wouldn't it be so neat if I could move to New York and meet Theo,” says Tranter. “Now I have, and she has a new fabulous band, and they're opening for us!”
SWP played Europa a few years ago, but with a renovated stage, the band, voted the best in New York in The Village Voice readers poll last October, is looking forward to returning.
“It's party rock and roll for everybody,” says Tranter. “We have all sorts of people that come to our shows. That's the beauty of playing in Greenpoint — we get some Polish dudes throwing their beer bottles, Polish girls showing us their boobs, and 18-year-olds who know every word.”
Semi Precious Weapons plays Mercury Lounge (217 E. Houston St.) on July 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 212-260-4700 or go to www.mercuryloungenyc.com. Then they drop by hometown venue Europa (98 Meserole Avenue) on July 31 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $4. For more information, call 718-383-5723 or go to www.europaclub.com. For more on the band, visit www.semipreciousweapons.com.
