Personnel: Leo Biciunas, vocals, guitar; Johnny Ortiz, bass; Keith Duchowicz, drums.
Heritage: ”We`re two Lithuanians and an American Indian,” Biciunas says.
Formed: Late 1988, originally as a foursome.
Current lineup together since: December 1989.
Sound: The band is a power trio with an edgy guitar sound. ”We`re not like three-minute pop fluff,” Biciunas says. ”We`re definitely more aggressive than that. The rhythm section does a lot of work. They`re not just moping around.”
Influences: Biciunas says they have divergent tastes, but ”we get into new Ministry stuff. And we`ve all listened to the Police.”
Songwriting: ”It`s just all three of us looking at each other and playing and playing until something comes together,” says Biciunas, who writes the lyrics. A new song, ”Lies,” portrays the Canadian government`s efforts to convert a Mohawk burial ground into a golf course. ”As you mature as a musician and songwriter, you can`t help but being influenced by the world around you.”
Extracurriculars: The Nameless responded to the Baltic states` quest for independence from the Soviet Union by organizing the Rock for Baltic Independence show in June at Cabaret Metro, with proceeds earmarked for the Baltic relief effort. ”Since two of us are Lithuanian-both of us grew up in Lithuanian neighborhoods-we just decided, `Hey, why not try to get some attention for (the cause)?` We found a Latvian band (Bankrots) and Estonian band (Running Dogs) and put it together.” The Nameless also opened for the Latvian band Jauns Meness at Lounge Ax in November, and ”we try to help bands from the Baltics when they come through town.”
On-stage cover versions: The band occasionally launches into ”Peter Gunn.”
Namesake: ”We tried so many things when we started, and finally the drummer said, `The Nameless-no one`s tried that.` So we tried it and just sort of grew into it.”
Recordings: The band will release a new four-song EP, ”Rumble,” on its own Wise Records later this month. They recorded it in Kimo Williams` home studio.
Philosophy: ”It sounds corny, but stay true to what you`re doing,”
Biciunas says. ”We believe in our music, so we`re going to do it. We`re just three guys who came together and connected, and that`s the beauty of it. So many musicians and bands don`t even get to that point.”
Goals: ”Short-term: to get people to listen to our music, get this record going and maybe make enough money to make another record-and tour and see how people respond to the music,” Biciunas says. ”Long-term: I guess every band and musician wants to get a label behind them, so they can worry only about making the music. But I hate that attitude of sitting around and waiting for a deal. Realistically, you`ve got to get out there and get noticed.”
