The Nice Device (8/15, Old Miami)

(photos: Zach Shipps)


Deep Cutz
Jeff Milo

"just want it the way it was..."

Nice Device have always had a beautiful blend of the dreamy and the aggressive; I mean, I caught myself mid-sentence; the lecherous cartoon-of-a-man Bret Michaels has already made a retching parody of the “rose with its thorns” metaphor, but…there’s undeniable vigor-and-enamor to their bittersweet, rhythm-heavy alt-pop anthems.



Their 04 debut, Birth of a Lover was a fiery pounding fuzz explosion, while 05’s ambitious Nightlife LP expanded a more electronically stylized romanticism - a bit less gritty shreds for a few more electro-dream-pop overtones. Now they’re back down to a 4 piece (Alica Gbur-singer/guitarist, Jeff Alber-bass, Matt Lannoo-guitarist/vocals, Nick Gerhardt-drums) with an inspiring demo, “Crawlspace” (from their forthcoming release, which you can hear at myspace.com/thenicedevice) combining their early day grit-n’-hard-hitting riffage with their experience for building pleasing pop structures, synth-buzz churns and stratospheric guiar pedal mysticism, with Gbur's potent, unwavering vocals.



After touring Europe with the Von Bondies, Gbur and Lannoo “are back with the Nice Device in full force,” said Gbur, “writing and recording songs for a new record, or EP, download or whatever. We are recording at the Loft. Tim from The Fags is producing the new stuff. Needless to say we are very excited. The sound is more like the way we used to be. More pop, less filler.”
(Gbur now takes tri-responsibility of keys, guitar and vocals.)



The longtime local favorites play with harmony-heavy Serenity Court and synth-shockers Bad Party – the Old Miami, Aug. 15.



Here's a bit more catching up, in the Deep Cutz interview, with Gbur.


















DC/Milo: how has 2008 been going?

AG:...pretty great actually. Matt and I took a bit of a Nice Device hiatus to tour and play in the Von Bondies for roughly 7 months. It was such a great experience to tour Europe and UK as well as have a different job in another band. I think we both needed to regain some energy for playing and writing as well as learn to really appreciate the people you play in a band with.

DC: how has the songwriting been going--can you distinguish different directions (or influences/moods) from the "Nightlife"?

AG: So, now we are back with The Nice Device in full force writing and recording songs for a new record or EP, download or whatever. We are recording at the Loft. Tim from the Fags is producing the new stuff. Needless to say we are very excited. The sound is more like the way we used to be. More pop less filler.

DC: does it feel, at all, like back to when the band first started? or if not, how's it different?

AG: OK, So we lightened the load as of late and decided to go back to a four piece. When i played in the Von Bondies this past winter i also played keys in the band, so we decided that i would now take up that role as well as play guitar. The new tracks are less key heavy so we are going to give it a try. Ya never know though- we mayhave a guest keyboard player show up every now and again, but we feel like the four of us are a pretty tight unit.

DC: And...future plans, for now?

AG: Other than general ass kicking, our future plans include doing an October Canada and east coast tour with Eons and to have some new material to play and pass around.That and an occasional Detroit appearance here and there. Cheers!


8 / 15, Old Miami