Biography
The origins of Viza-Noir lie in Chicago, where its three founding members—bassist Mike O'Connell, guitarist Dan MacAdam, and drummer Joe Kaplan—came of age amid the urban environment. Post-punk touchstones including Wire, Wipers, MX-80, and the Ex supplied their practical understanding of existence, while traces of the fleeting Midwest noise renaissance also shaped the band's characteristic sound. Their lyrics, however, steer clear of the blunt self-awareness and elevated affectations that mark intellectual rock. Formed in 1998, the group has appeared alongside indie-rock notables such as the Shipping News and Kim and Kelly Deal, and it issued two 7-inch singles—American Family Flakes in 1998 and Missed Connection in 1999—that run counter to vintage punk origins while underscoring fierce, unyielding execution. A merger of early Who and Fugazi, touched by a modest progressive slant, conveys the overall style. In July 2001 the self-titled Viza-Noir appeared as the trio's initial long-player on Flameshovel, the Windy City's newest independent imprint. Although the album breaks no unexplored creative terrain, its swift succession of sonic force satisfies even the most exacting hardcore listeners.
Albums
