June Newsletter

Albert Ching
Editor, Everyday Noise

If you follow local music closely, you’ve probably already formed an opinion on Huntington Beach’s Venus Infers. Their music – bombastic and intentionally epic – stands in contrast to the contemplative, coffee house rock prominent in much of Southern California. Their style – leather jackets and rock star posturing – is a far cry from the unassuming, humble stage presence you’ll see at most local venues. And guess what? It’s working, as seen by the three OC Music Awards Venus Infers scored in 2009, high-profile opening gigs for Chris Cornell and Peter Murphy and song placement on shows like The Real World.

The bulk of that praise came from their last album, 2008′s The Truth About Venus Infers, and, obviously, you’re only as good as your last record. So with the impending release of third full-length You’ll Understand When You’re Older, there’s a good deal of pressure for Venus Infers to deliver – as much pressure as can reasonably be on a still – unsigned band, really.

Lead single “(They Stole Today But They Won’t Take Away) Tomorrow” proves that the band isn’t straying far from the formula that’s made them successful, instead ratcheting up these qualities to their next natural step. The slow-burning intro is reminiscent of the best of ’90s indie music, and singer Davis Fetter’s distinctive vocals remain his own, but with the hints of the British bands he loves, like The Libertines and Kasabian. As tends to happen with Venus Infers songs, the whole thing swells to an anthemic chorus as guitars charge and vocals quicken – “they won’t take away tomorrow,” in this instance – but it all feels a little more large-scale than even their own, typically unsubtle, standards.

In keeping with the band’s larger-than-life aesthetic, they’re holding their record release show at the Grove of Anaheim, albeit on an outdoor stage.

Venus Infers are scheduled to play Wednesday, June 16 at the Grove of Anaheim (all ages);www.myspace.com/venusinfers.