by Randall Wixen
issued on Music Connection
The players: Thom Hand, keyboards and guitar; Barry Shank, bass; Matt Roberts,
drums; Sid Griffin, lead guitar; Shelley Ganz, guitar and lead vocals.
Material: the Unclaimed are fans of a bygone era-'60s punk. But rather than trying to re-live
or recreate it, the band has chosen to integrate the period's finest elements into a contemporary
format. Most of the material sounds like it could have been lifted from the Elektra (reissued
on Sire) compilation Nuggets
, but much of it is original. The best songs are their own The
Sorrow
, Cryptic Message
, and Acid Song
, and three obscure yet well-done covers.
In general, simple, melodic, concise and very danceable tunes.
Musicianship: within the confines of relatively simple songs, there is little need for highly
technical musical ability, but it's obvious that most of the Unclaimed are overly trained. This
training is not wasted, however, as it allows the group to concentrate instead on showmanship.
Lead singer Ganz is often hesitant with his guitar playing, but seems certain to get better
with time.
Performance: clad in tight black pants and turtleneck shirts and wearing short, Brian Jones-styled
hair, the group creates a stark image that contrasts with its vigorous, intense stage demeanor.
Visually the band is stunning, as Shank and Roberts flail wildly at their respective instruments.
Occasionally Ganz adds a jangly tambourine to fill out the sound. For all their care towards
image, presentation and control, their set remains spontaneous.
Summary: look for the increased prominence of this band on the local scene. The group is capable
of bringing tears to the eyes of grown-up rockers while easily satisfying the expectations of
those newest to rock 'n' roll.