The Senate Controls The Underground

Natasha Walker
Western Washington University’s Western Front

How do you classify a band with a dash of folk, a pinch of funk, a hint of metal and a heaping dollop of musical ingenuity?

“Acoustic muscle music,” said Nick Drummond, rhythm guitarist and vocalist for The Senate, who will play Sept. 28 at the Underground Coffeehouse.

The free show begins at 8 p.m. and consists of two entirely different 45 minute sets, Drummond said.

Defying the constraints of musical genres, The Senate’s distinct sound is not what one might expect from their instrumental line-up. They are an unconventional percussion-less team, consisting of two acoustic guitars and a stand-up bass.

But sporting an entirely acoustic set doesn’t mean the audience will have the opportunity to relax, Drummond said.

“We can make the whole room dance without drums,” Drummond said.

Each member’s melodic touch stems from years of experience and formal training.

Prior to his acoustic days, Drummond played African drums, which he said may explain his avid and continued interest in time signatures.

Andrew Pulkrabek, the bands bassist and vocalist, frequently dabbles in beat boxing.

Oliver Franklin, lead guitarist and vocalist, previously performed in a metal group with Pulkrabek.

All three share a profound, insatiable love for rhythm that was born in their high school music room and has remained with them since.

But it’s not just about the instruments, Drummond said. The lyrical content is also carefully considered.

Though the band boasts playful favorites such as “Awesome Song,” they tone it down for pieces such as “You’ll Never Know,” where the music and lyrics have a more somber feel.

The Senate was introduced to Brian Robinson of Unified Music Productions through a friend after the band received a standing ovation after playing The Triple Door in Seattle. Robinson met up with the ensemble and has been managing them since.

What sets them apart is how well they communicate together, on stage and in their music, Robinson said.

“The way in which they work off each other’s strong points will carry them, as far as continuing their success,” Robinson said.

He said The Senate’s professionalism and down-to-earth personas are not just stage gimmicks.

“We’ve spent hours together in basements, buses, a cabin – in very close quarters – and they’re tried and true individuals,” Robinson said. “They don’t have a stage personality, that’s just who they are; inviting and friendly guys.”

The Senate has performed sold-out gigs across the state and snatched first place in the Washington State University Battle of the Bands in the spring of 2007.

In Bellingham, their performances have remained consistently packed and the band is eager to return, Drummond said. In 2006, The Senate filled Western’s Underground Coffeehouse.

“Bellingham has really welcomed us,” Drummond said. “There are no pre-conceived notions, just a lot of people that like to hear music.”

Western senior Lindsey Middendorf, who has seen The Senate twice, said the bands gigs are not to be missed.

“Seeing them live is an experience. They just have this amazing interaction with the crowd,” Middendorf said.

At last year’s Underground Coffeehouse show, Middendorf said a full capacity crowd belted out lyrics and sashayed with the band.

“The place was packed; I was pushed against the wall,” she said.

Jeff Talbot, Associated Students productions director, said he encourages people to show up early for the performance.

“It sold out last year and it’s definitely going to sell out again,” Talbot said.