photo: Reyer Boxem
Merel Weijer (bass, vocals) and Michel Weber (drums, vocals) named themselves Hister, a word from the Low Saxon dialect spoken in their hometown Groningen. It roughly translates as "nervous" or "excited", which describes their alternative indie rock quite accurately. On their self-titled debut EP they offer five songs sung in Grunnegs. Weber is a veteran of the local rock scene - he is the drummer of Avery Plains - but Weijer is new to the game, but shows no sign of stage fright at all, using her bass as a lead instrument and her voice as the singer of a '90s underground act.
The less is more set-up of the duo translates well to both uptempo material (the title track) and slow shoegaze (Onder wotter). Komt goud ("It wil be fine") is the stand-out track, when Weber takes over the vocals, with Doe as a close second. The latter is a cover of the Breeders from their debut album Pod. Hister's quiet intensity is like a sleeping volcano. They are hovering on the brink of cutting loose, but by showing some restraint it becomes even more exciting.
Hister is released via Excelsior Recordings (vinyl, CD). Release date: May 19.
Tracks:- Hister
- Komt goud
- Doe
- Trug in tied
- Onder wotter
