The Sexual Side Effects
Encyclopedia
The Sexual Side Effects (SSE) are an independent American rock band formed in Atlanta, GA in 2007. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on post-punk
and glam rock
along with elements from other genres such as space rock
and psychedelic rock
. The band consists of founding members Amber Taylor (vocals) and long-time drummer Clay McClure, alongside Mike Sidner (bass) and recently added guitarist Matt Foster.
In 2006, Amber responded to a Craigslist ad posted by the independent Atlanta band Morningside, who were seeking a vocalist. Clay was playing drums in Morningside at the time, and the two became friends. Amber rehearsed with Morningside, but brought her own material, which the band started to perform around Atlanta in venues like Lenny's and 10 High. The act parted ways over musical differences in 2007.
In late December 2010, Amber met Mike Sidner at an industrial-goth club, The Shelter, and started talking about music and her band. Realizing that they shared musical influences and a yearning to play in a successful band, they began exploring the idea of putting the band back together. On New Years day, 2011, Amber dedicated herself to pursuing her dreams. Together with Mike, she reenlisted long-time friend Clay to plays drums in a new incarnation of The Sexual Side Effects. After a couple of rehearsals as a trio, the band yearned for a second guitarist to round out the sound. The band auditioned two guitarists, including Matt Foster, guitarist from the Atlanta bum rock band Toy Devils. With Matt on the roster, the band began rehearsing in earnest.
The band unveiled their new lineup in a debut show at 529 in East Atlanta village on Thursday, April 28, 2011. The show set a record for Thursday turn-out at the club.
The band's fresh indie-pop take on post-punk
and glam rock
revival is catchy. Melodic guitars, entrancing vocals, and tight arrangements define most of the material, but the live set often includes extended space jams and intense guitar solos. Influences ranging from Echo & The Bunnymen
to Queens of the Stone Age
can be heard in the songwriting and guitar playing.
, Edwin McCain
, Red Letter Agent) is working with the band on their debut EP, High Maintenance, due out February 2012, and available online on the band's Bandcamp site.
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
and glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
along with elements from other genres such as space rock
Space rock
Space rock is a subgenre of rock music; the term originally referred to a group of early, mostly British, 1970s progressive and psychedelic rock bands such as Hawkwind and Pink Floyd, characterised by slow, lengthy instrumental passages dominated by electric organs, synthesizers, experimental...
and psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
. The band consists of founding members Amber Taylor (vocals) and long-time drummer Clay McClure, alongside Mike Sidner (bass) and recently added guitarist Matt Foster.
History
Amber Taylor is a transgendered musician who began playing around the Atlanta music scene in 2000. She was in the progressive rock band Cobweb Strange at one point and was a featured headliner at the Pat Briggs Glitterdome in 2003. Amber eventually branched off as a solo artist forming the Amber Taylor Band which later became known as Amber Taylor and the Sexual Side Effects.In 2006, Amber responded to a Craigslist ad posted by the independent Atlanta band Morningside, who were seeking a vocalist. Clay was playing drums in Morningside at the time, and the two became friends. Amber rehearsed with Morningside, but brought her own material, which the band started to perform around Atlanta in venues like Lenny's and 10 High. The act parted ways over musical differences in 2007.
In late December 2010, Amber met Mike Sidner at an industrial-goth club, The Shelter, and started talking about music and her band. Realizing that they shared musical influences and a yearning to play in a successful band, they began exploring the idea of putting the band back together. On New Years day, 2011, Amber dedicated herself to pursuing her dreams. Together with Mike, she reenlisted long-time friend Clay to plays drums in a new incarnation of The Sexual Side Effects. After a couple of rehearsals as a trio, the band yearned for a second guitarist to round out the sound. The band auditioned two guitarists, including Matt Foster, guitarist from the Atlanta bum rock band Toy Devils. With Matt on the roster, the band began rehearsing in earnest.
The band unveiled their new lineup in a debut show at 529 in East Atlanta village on Thursday, April 28, 2011. The show set a record for Thursday turn-out at the club.
Musical Style
"SSE has a very solid, psychedelic sound – the kind you might hear when falling down a rabbit hole"The band's fresh indie-pop take on post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
and glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
revival is catchy. Melodic guitars, entrancing vocals, and tight arrangements define most of the material, but the live set often includes extended space jams and intense guitar solos. Influences ranging from Echo & The Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
to Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
can be heard in the songwriting and guitar playing.
Band Members
- Amber Taylor — Lead vocals, guitar
- Matt Foster — Guitar, backing vocals
- Clay McClure — Drums
- Mike Sidner — Bass
Discography
Accomplished Atlanta producer John Briglevich (Drivin’ N Cryin’Drivin N Cryin
Drivin' 'N' Cryin is an American Hard rock/Southern rock band from Atlanta, GA.-History:The band was formed in 1985 in Atlanta. Kevn Kinney hooked up with Tim Nielsen, who was in a popular band called the Nightporters with drummer Paul Lenz at the time...
, Edwin McCain
Edwin McCain
Edwin McCain is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Career:While his albums are released under his name, he does have a permanent band, referred to as the Edwin McCain Band...
, Red Letter Agent) is working with the band on their debut EP, High Maintenance, due out February 2012, and available online on the band's Bandcamp site.