What The Yvel?

Roughly a decade ago, there was an awkward skinny kid named Jamie who played drums for a local ska band called The Skamaphrodites — which was largely made up of awkward skinny kids, including yours truly. As many a teenage drummer does, Jamie had aspirations beyond merely pounding the skins and took to writing songs of his own. We all thought his heart-on-sleeve pop confections were really cute in a lost-puppy-dog sort of way, patted him on the head and went back to the business of crafting juvenile pop-ska, taking ourselves waaay too seriously and drinking underage. Ah, the folly of youth!

As most young bands do, we eventually flamed out — in a blaze of Natty Light-fueled debauchery, of course — and went our separate ways. At that point, we all lived together in an Old North End hovel and I distinctly remember the soundtrack to our breakup being the off-key caterwauling and clumsy acoustic strumming emanating from Jamie's second floor bedroom. I wonder what ever happened to that guy?

Well, that awkward, skinny kid named Jamie became an awkward, skinny man named James and is seeing his star rise in ways few Vermont-born musicians ever have.

Signed to Bjork's One Little Indian label, James Levy is becoming something of a big deal at home and abroad, as evidenced by this recent blurb in Spin magazine. The clip was sent to me this morning by a friend in Boston and I almost spit coffee all over my computer screen when I read it.  I mean, I had breakfast with the dude at Magnolia last weekend. And now here's his pouting mug staring back at me from one of the world's most popular music rags. Crazy.

However, you know you've hit the big time when a disgruntled music critic creates an entire website devoted to espousing his hatred of your music. In what might be the first MySpace-inspired fracas in the history of rock feuds, some hack calling himself "Andersonenvy" rips into Levy and has produced two animated shorts on the topic. Here's the first:

To see the second and read the review that started it all, click here.

Frankly, the whole thing is pretty ridiculous. But still, it's got to be at least a little bit flattering for someone to have such a strong opinion of your work that they devote so much time and energy into telling the world. Even if they hate you.

The old adage is that living well is the best reward. Snark-laden cartoons and all, it appears that James Levy — don't call him Jamie — is doing just that. Congrats, man.

Comments

[Ian Merritt]

longtime reader, first time commenter. oh, and hello from chicago. my lord, the kids are growing up fast these days. i had no idea that the younger levy would take it to the next level. good for him. it's nice to see someone dedicated to making music. lots of bands these days are dedicated to getting $200 haircuts and to beating up their brand new $2,500 guitars so they look vintage. unrelated, i have been listening to most of my old burlington records these days. Starlight Conspiracy, Wide Wail (and Swale), and Envy have been in heavy rotation. and Envy is spelled a lot like Yvel.

[dan]

Man oh man. Did I ever love Envy!

Nice to hear from you, Ian. Just think, if Ska-Ka-Doodle-Doo had stuck it out, you and I could be on Bjork's label . . . If we hadn't sucked, of course.

[the Wound]

Tune in to the Radiator FM 105.9 on Thursday mornings, 10am-11am, for an hour of garage rawk'n'roll and, as necessary, weekly corrections to Dan Bolles' columns and calendar listings.

Correcting typing monkeys takes less time and energy than one might think.

[Jebson]

I remember hanging out with Jamie in that ska-house, subtly encouraging him to ditch the band and go solo. He followed me to Boston, where I took him under my wing, teaching him about Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and the VU. Then I moved to NY, told him it was safe, and off he went, befriending the Strokes and dating celebrities. I knew he could do it. I better be playing bass for him on his 2009 European tour.

[james]

i remember you did ecstacy in boston common and i never saw you again

[Jebson]

James, you're due to play Amsterdam. Get over here. Otherwise, I'll see you in NY sometime. Cheers.

[Ian Merritt]

dan... no one wants a ska-ka-doodle reprise. least of all murray. he would have to find his trombone. no one wants to find that trombone. no one.