I’ve got no clue how well this weirdo triangle music is going to go down in the New Year, or what it’s going to be called (“jizz-bop” or “watery fag trance” are my suggestions), but I can’t help but think that greasy-bearded art-student types will appreciate it for their disquieting loft-bed mating sessions every bit as much as I will appreciate it for editing my Castlevania speed runs on YouTube.
And it’s an easy monster to love—the beast with a heart of gold, you know, Frankenstein and the flower—provided you’ve got a taste for the stage-lit macabre. Everything about Vol. 1 is eerily emphatic: the gypsy trance of “Nile Style” and “Speaking in Tongues” circus organ, a hulking near-Italo bass on “Alone Again”. And Corina Bakker’s voice, that swirling, trilling, growling ghoul of a thing, projecting to the back row even in a whisper; hers is a voice that shatters rooms, sends villagers running. But it’s all so warm and embraceable, those disco lilts and slinky guitars, that you’re utterly compelled to go down the rabbit hole with them. To dance and move and hulk right alongside that gilt-hearted monster, because The Tempers, they may be eating pop music alive—but they’re spitting it back at you with an other-world sheen. Ungodly good stuff.
...This band, undeniably, has talent, and plenty of it. The melodies from the keyboard are interesting and have enough variety from song to song to keep you entertained; the drums hold a steady, consistent beat that force your head up and down in an eerie kind of daze; the guitar and bass spice things up enough to liven the mood without becoming too overbearing; the bizarre interstellar noises in the background send your head spinning...read full review here
Seattle’s The Tempers are a perfect example of how music has evolved in the Emerald City. Gone are the days of grunge or even grunge influenced sounds as today’s bands, while paying homage to those before them, have their own unique sound and style. In the case of this family trio, The Tempers rely heavily on drum machines and corpse paint… though the whole face paint thing in it’s own way could be taken as a tribute to Seattle’s Malfunkshun.
This sibling act have this spooky little number for you called “Alone Again” off their debut album Vol. 1. It’s creepy as hell but is also pretty darn catchy, especially with the whole make-up and eerie sound of singer Corina. Definitely a band to keep your eye on this year.
Live Reviews
"From a tank of gas and a two and a half hour drive comes The Tempers. A family band hailing from Seattle, this band is generating lots noise with its very unique sound. Corina, Chalia, and James bring new sounds to the table that will definitely inspire a new generation of musical talent. With the release of its full-length album, “Vol. 1”, The Tempers are on a continuous journey to electro-rock stardom. Corina with her unique vocals and melodies, Chalia with her thick drum beats, and James with his 60’s style keyboard skills made the crowd get off its feet and dance to the unique brand of music. If I wasn't lugging around my camera equipment I would have been dancing too." -Be Portland (Kyle Helstein) See full Review
"You wouldn’t be able to tell from the twisted beats they play, but The Tempers are a family band. The Bakkers were “born and raised in Seattle,” doing hell knows what to produce this kind of music together. James Bakker utilizes four keyboards and bass and Chalia Bakker plays a drumset with too many pieces, a spacial issue more than offset due to her hair being the best hair in the world. You may not think that’s relevant but seriously, we the audience decided this. Best hair on earth. Anyway, both James and Chalia provide the rhythm for their glam banshee of a sister, Corina Bakker. She belts and sashays with the necrotic energy of Amanda Palmer and the Virgin Prunes fretting over a pregnancy test. Most of my skepticism over the instrumentally crowded stage and technical issues attached to said instruments vanished when she started screaming. The rest of it still exists due to James Bakker’s gold, sequin vest." -SSG Music (Daniel Ahrendt) See full Review
"Young family band the Tempers (two sisters and one brother) are rather a mesh of Glass Candy, Kate Bush, and Siouxsie Sioux...singer's vocal shudders and jerky dance moves are kind of hilariously histrionic, but they're charismatic for such a young act, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them getting it together nicely in the coming year."
-The Stranger (Eric Grandy)
"eerie, synth-heavy electro-dance-pop-rock (whew!) sound seems to channel the restless ghosts of 80s dance clubs" -SSG Music (Jamaal Jackson)
"While Mad Rad sold out the show and gave an impressive performance, local rockers The Tempers stole the show. WIth a unique groove oriented sound, The Tempers utilize casio textures while retaining their rock n' roll integrity. Lead singer Corina is a gifted vocalist whose stylings range from David Bowie, to Blondie to MIA. The others fill out the Temper sound with sporadic Guitar playing, straightforward drumming and reggae keyboards. Their sound is immature, yet dark and cool. Im a fan!" -www.madcaprecords.com
"...Far livelier is promising young Seattle band the Tempers, a high-drama family rock act whose frontwoman's arty weirdness (read: mad, stomping, costumed stage presence) and vocal reach recall the likes of Kate Bush or Siouxsie Sioux."
-The Stranger (Eric Grandy)
