THE ALARM - MAKING OF THE ALARM

"Up Close With The Alarm - and Mike Peters"

This is inside the bands perspective of putting together a video. Peters and crew called it quits years ago until a recent VH1 show got them all together. Here they are perfecting their signature sound.

They are interesting because of their stage presence. Notice the cameras and mics coming from the ceiling like a boxers mic. This adds height to the performance. Also the multiple images being shown over the band adds a bit of visual dynamicism.

These guys really carried over the look and upbeat positive feel that created the image for IRS RECORDS, (which is now defunct). There was a lot of imagery and text floating over the bands videos and live performances. This was the case for a lot of the early IRS bands and added to their complex nature. All of these bands in the early days were quite interesting.

The Alarm is still producing this type of look and it really does cut against the whiney pop diva subculture that exists today. The other thing that sets them apart from competition is their ability to deliver sharp guitar hooks that jar up against one another. Somewhere in all that chaos this Dublin band is still able to deliver a likeable melody. When the entire thing is delivered and signed over you want to listen to it again and again. It has this long lasting effect that so many bands today seem to miss.

Ted Cantu posted this on Oct. 6, 2007 at 10:08 AM

THE ALARM - STRENGTH

"THE GREATEST SOUND FROM THE MID - 80'S --
WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE STORM BROKE?"

There was a lot of crap in the 80's. There was a lot of crap in the 90's. But then lets face it . There is a lot of crap today too. Somewhere in all that crap there are usually great bands LIKE THE ALARM who get shuffled behind permalayers of garbage. You're job as a culture archeologist is to dig them out with a toy shovel and try to enjoy their brilliance. The Alarm is one of those amazing bands that got shuffled aside.

The one thing you need to understand is that the Alarm is from Dublin. They are powerful and they were on a powerful label..... IRS RECORDS.... which is now defunct.

There hasn't been a record label this ballsy in years. So bands with style and a radical calling to sustain get undiscovered. This is very unfortunate.

The Alarm just got back together and are kicking out new amazing sounds. I say great for them because they are truly amazing to watch. They have style and a lot of heart. Its never a put on.

Cantu posted this on Aug. 12 9:45 pm