Tree form

Passion but control on Downsizing the American Dream

by Joe Longone

Underneath the social mores heaved upon many of today's teens is a melodrama the likes of which most people 25 or older just can't understand. The traditional urges to challenge authority remain, but the latest batch of disgruntled youth also display a cynicism so strong it is scary. Behind those brightly scrubbed faces lie minds that Jones for any bit of audio anger able to be spit off of the 70 James Street stage. For this reason the coming engagement of one Boston's meanest bands, Tree, at the all-ages club's second "Mosher's Day" on Sunday, May 11, is a coup for all parties concerned.

With a large regional following in place, Tree are just beginning to rip across the country, still high off the heavy-handed power of their most recent release, Downsizing the American Dream (Cherry Disc). This dynamic quartet of Dave Rivers (Vocals) Uzi (guitar) Billy (drums), and Jake (bass) have brought new respectability to Boston's hardcore scene. Originally scheduled to appear at the Espresso Bar last winter, the four are making up for a date they had to drop after having delays with a West Coast tour. This show, which starts at 2 p.m. and also features 7th Rail Crew, Stained, Super Creb Star Dynomax, Shed, and Full Contact, should be an event that will be remembered for a long time.

Hailing from the quiet and reserved town of Westwood, these childhood friends decided in 1989 to create a band who were a hybrid of all their different likings including metal, hardcore, and punk. Cherry Disc executives were so impressed with the band's early demos, they signed them and released their first album, A Lot to Fear, in 1993. By the release of their second disc, Plant a Tree or Die, they began to be mentioned in the same breath with other Boston bigwigs like Sam Black Church and Only Living Witness. Extensive touring outside the region along with several appearances at the Lollapalooza festivals led them to Los Angeles, where they recorded the latest release.

Downsizing the American Dream is a devastating condemnation of the American culture of the 1990s. These guys have got Uncle Sam tied to a chair and bleeding from the ears as they scream their outrage about what's happened to the nation. Such a strong political stance shouldn't be a surprise to fans who have seen Tree perform at benefit shows for Earth First, AIDS Action, and NORML, but never have they been this certain of what's been pissing them off.

Rivers sings, "One day I woke up and saw my country's lies," as if he was an innocent finally confronting the realities behind the American myth in "Blind Me." "Truth" voices the outrage spurned by "Blind Me." The words "Let the truth be known" are screamed out repeatedly in the fiery second number. The band's general outrage never focuses on a particular person or problem but more on the perceptions of collective injustices that affect every American. The closest the band come to pointing a finger at any one principle is in "X-Communicated" when Rivers sings, "There is a white devil in the office." The 14-song collection ends with an angry, updated version of Woody Guthrie's "This Land."

What Downsizing the American Dream also does is put Tree at the forefront of metal/hardcore bands who are trying to jump to commercial radio. River's vocals are passionate yet controlled; you can understand every lyric clearly and the accompaniment of creative musical structures never gets in the way of the message meant to meet the listener.

I caught Dave Rivers before he was about to go out for a night of revelry. Our phone conversation focused on the heightened exposure of his band. "I don't see us as any bigger than we were six months ago," he says. "We've been popular all around New England for the past couple of years; the only difference of late is that now we are touring all over the place. If we play Arizona, people there will just be beginning to hear about us. What I am looking forward to is opening for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones at Great Woods -- that will be wild."

Rivers is also a big fan of a Worcester band. "Super Creb Star Dynomax are it; they play some heavy shit. I can't wait to play with them again at the Espresso Bar." Rivers is featured on the local outfit's song "Learn to Crawl," which is on the Union Station compilation. He is also excited about playing the Espresso Bar, "I love playing all-ages shows because the people come to hear the music. At a 21+ club, most of the crowd is getting drunk or looking for a piece of ass."