View source for The Picts provide 'space-age entertainment'

{{article
| publication = Central Michigan Life
| file = 1997-04-09 Central Michigan Life.jpg
| px = 350
| height = 
| width = 
| date = 1997-04-09
| author = Kyle Kipp
| pages = 12
| language = English 
| type = 
| description = 
| categories = music and FX
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| text = 
An alien music form landed in Mount Pleasant and has spawned its spacey pop upon the local music scene for the past several months.

This fresh being, the band The Picts, is composed of the life structures of five CMU students — vocalist Megan Frei, Clinton Township junior; bassist/backing vocalist Scott McClintock, Brighton senior; bassist Bill Reader, Beaverton graduate student; electronic drummer Jeff Ross, Brighton senior; and guitarist Derrick Freeman, Philadelphia junior.

The Picts perform "very intricately controlled	noise, a lush soundscape," according to McClintock.

"We are heavy, but not heavy metal," he said. "We aren't that abrasive."

Influenced by bands like My Bloody Valentine, Pavement and Sonic Youth, The Picts also draw inspiration from many late 1960s and early '70s psychedelic pop styles.

"We're definitely into a lot of sonic experimentation," McClintock said. "Our band is also spurred on by a lot of little gimmicks."

This is made obvious by their employment of numerous electronic effects, the use of electronic percussion, a dual-bass force and little touches like Reader's Zippo lighter-on-bass effect.

The Picts also are drawn to science fiction as influence. "We are really into the bad and cheesy British science fiction like Doctor Who," McClintock explained.

Perhaps this explains why their show fliers incorporate the nostalgic and weird feeling of old B-movies, stating the band provides "space-age entertainment."

"By the end of the show, I was wondering where the UFOs were landing," said Bob Hansen, Canton senior and drummer for the band Love My Carpet. after one of The Picts' live shows.

"We like to offer the music scene around here a slightly different genre of sound," McClintock said. "We didn't want to be just another 'bar band.'"

As veterans to the local music scene, these band mates, with the exception of Frei, who is an active vocal/dance major, all have been part of other notable local bands.

Reader and Freeman were both part of The Nothingheads, while Ross was a member of the band Your Morn.

Freeman is currently working with local favorites Big Angry Fish, with plans to become a full-time member.

McClintock currently plays in local coffeehouse performer Timothy Monger's band.

Despite their outside endeavors, the members of The Picts still take their band and music seriously.

The Picts' out-of-this-world sound can be experienced at 10:30 p.m. today at Rubbles, 112 W. Michigan St., where they will perform with special guests Love My Carpet.

The Picts, headed up by vocalist Megan Frei, Clinton Township junior (above) will perform their trademark spacey pop music Wednesday night at Rubbles, 112 W. Michigan St.

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