Prabir and the Substitutes: Class is in Session

Photo courtesy of Prabir and the Substitutes.

Here at DoS, we’re all about broadening our horizons. A new perspective on things can open up a world of possibilities. This is exactly why we took it upon ourselves to broaden our DC outlook a little farther south down I-95 to our friends in a land sometimes known as “RVA” or Richmond, Virginia. For many, the only thing they may know about Richmond is that it’s halfway to the Outer Banks, but born from the capital of Old Dominion is a little five-piece band known as Prabir and the Substitutes.

If Prabir Metha is the teacher, he and his Substitutes are about to learn you some good ol’ rock and roll. To say the music is vocally driven would be an understatement. Hell, it’s the understatement of the year. What sounds like a collective of dedicated backup singers, turns out to be just the rest of the band. (They all sing!) But don’t let the fact that I called them “just the rest of the band” fool you. These guys will put that wiggle in your hip, that nod in your head, a snap in the fingers of one hand and the sign of the horns on the other. Helping Prabir (pronounced “Pruh-beer”) lay down riffs on guitar is Chris Smith. The rhythm section consists of Robbie King on bass and Tyler Williams on drums. Rounding out the class is Charlie Glenn on the groovy rhodes. And as an engineer I knew once told me, “no matter the circumstances, you can never have enough rhodes.” Truer words were never spoken.

Now 2008 may be a hard year for them to beat–they won best new artist with the Washington Area Music Association and had a highly praised release, aptly titled, “Five Little Pieces”—but damned if they aren’t trying. Hot on the heels of “Five Little Pieces” comes the six-song EP, “Hello.” It’s a precursor to a full length album due out before the year is over. This time around the squad has introduced a few new variables. These songs were all self-recorded in their practice space instead of in a studio.

And that tends to be the theme for the “do-it-yourself” EP. Not only is it self-recorded, but it’s also pretty much autobiographical—another change from previous releases. There’s still the subject matter of love, and love lost and longing love, but also tales from the road. The EP opens with by far the strongest track, “Who’s Going to Love You?,” which is a great showcase of the band’s love of 60’s rock. It’s easy to see how the influences they list (The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Zombies) have bled their way into their sound. There’s also a good resemblance to someone they’ve toured with before–Dr. Dog–that full band harmony, pop rock with a slight lo-fi feel to it. “Sayonara” is then a good acoustic number that paints life on the road, quite literally. It listens like a letter back home, or a “what I did on my summer vacation” report. Don’t forget the 32-second long “I Started Writing You a Song But Then I Changed My Mind…Yeah!” song… and how could you, because those are the full lyrics.

Already an RVA staple, Prabir and the Substitutes look to gain well deserved attention farther from home. And after checking out “Hello” and their last CD, you’ll be grabbing your friends and heading to DC9 on July 30th for their last show in the area before heading into the studio. If you need any more convincing, just check some of their videos, like the one for “Everybody’s Got Somebody.” Just don’t ask them to turn it down, because something tells me that ain’t happenin’. Hopefully “Hello” is not only a prologue to a new full length album, but a prologue to things to come for the band.

Who loves you? We do, that’s who. Class dismissed.

Learn more about Prabir and the Substitutes at www.prabirandthesubstitutes.com. Specifically a great FAQ section.