Tourniquet - Acoustic Archives

by Chad Olson

Throughout Tourniquet's nine album career, musical departures have become expected, and beautiful melodies and dissonant harmonies have been an integral part of the band's sound. Ted Kirkpatrick (drums), Luke Easter (vocals), Aaron Guerra (guitars), and Vince Dennis (bass) have always been eager to experiment. Carry The Wounded, the 1995 EP, had songs that varied from the groove-laden and heavy ("Oh, Well") to the balladesque and sullen ("My Promise"). Tourniquet's one and only release for Diadem/Benson Records, 97's Crawl To China, showcased a pioneering Christian technical-thrash band doing what they had become known for, as well as experimenting. "Enveloped In Python" reached back to past hits like "Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance" for some strange, intense, and hefty sounds; and "If I Was There" presented a worshipful, Christ–centered approach to an acoustic ballad. "Those things are just another side of who we are," says Luke about the slower tracks.

In steps the band's new album, Acoustic Archives. The band had received so many requests due to spot acoustic shows that they felt it was time to release these songs. Being stripped of their galvanic and frenzied luster, these acoustic versions of the original classics bring forth the fact that Tourniquet's songs can stand on their own. The roots of the songs are bared for all to see, and the results vary from bluesy to beautiful to woodsy. "I think that's just the chords there. And I think a lot of rock and metal, with cut–time, if you'd strip those things down, I guarantee you, some of the thrash songs would almost sound like polka," comments Ted. Polka it isn't, but the acoustic versions of "Bearing Gruesome Cargo" and "Phantom Limb" almost seem like they were meant for this format. "It's never a substitute," states Ted, just another look at the prototype.

Songs like "Viento Borrascoso" show a guitarist fitting into his role. Aaron came into the band in 1994 at a time when there were two guitarists. Now, as a four–piece with only one guitarist, his role has changed. Lead playing will become more of a responsibility for him in the future. As evidenced on this album, he's more than able. "There's stuff you can't do on an acoustic that you can on an electric," states Aaron, "so there's more pressure. But, whether it's an electric or an acoustic, you just go for it."

Tourniquet has been released from their contractual obligations with Diadem/Benson Records in Nashville (For the record, they asked to be released. It wasn't a "dropped" situation at all.). "There were no hard feelings at all, but I think it was obvious to both parties involved, it was just kind of a mismatch. I think they were a little confused maybe about what to do with Tourniquet," Ted concurs. "I think it was good for both sides. Now we're talking to a couple labels that (can better) understand the market we're in and understand Tourniquet specifically." Thus, Acoustic Archives is being released independently, and will be available directly from Tourniquet and select distributors. The band has no fears putting something out there without a label. "It's not scarey at all," notes Luke. "With us being between deals at the moment, there's no risk to anybody but ourselves, and the investment is small enough that it justifies itself. We know that people who love Tourniquet are going to want to get it, and in turn they'll turn other people onto it. And at the same time, it's not something we had to sell to a record company. It's perfect timing."

With nine classic Tourniquet songs done acoustically, is this a stepping–stone toward what we should expect from these metal innovators? Not according to Mr. Kirkpatrick. "I think the better view of a stepping– stone is the new song." The new song he speaks of is "Trivializing the Momentous, Complicating the Obvious," the only new, electric tune included. "It has a lot of the points Tourniquet is known for: the classic thrash, the cut–time, the blast beats, guitar harmonies, classical, melodic vocals, yelling vocals, three–part harmony. All of that is in 6 minutes and 33 seconds, so I think that's more of a stepping–stone to what the next album will sound like."

Lyrically, the song deals with how Christianity gets so convoluted at times. There are lines in the song with quotes from the infamous Three Stooges. "They're at this big, fancy party; and they're being introduced to everybody," starts Ted. "People made a bet whether they could make gentlemen out of Larry, Moe, and Curly. And, of course, it failed miserably. They're being introduced to somebody. Larry says, 'Delighted' to meet you. That makes sense. But, when the other two try to do it, it just doesn't work. Moe says, 'Devastated.' And Curly says, 'Dilapidated.' It goes along with the song."

"Everybody's saying something, but nobody's really saying anything," adds Luke. Tourniquet is concerned that too often Christianity and the Gospel in particular become overwrought and confusing. "The message of the Gospel is quite simple. Love Christ. That's really the eternal thing," comments Luke.

When can we expect to see another full–length release from Tourniquet? The guys hope by next fall, on a label to be announced. And after that? "I can say I have absolutely no thoughts whatsoever (as to how long the band will be around). It would be like saying, How long is my love for music and song writing going to be around?' I certainly don't see any end in that. So, I don't have any plans to stop doing what we're doing whatsoever," discloses Ted. Aaron doesn't "even think about those things." Ted continues: "I think it comes down to music. Are we able to offer something musically . . . to God and to the public? As far as more ideas, I don't think any real end to that is in sight at all. We always pray for health (too). None of us might be here tomorrow. We don't know. As long as God allows us to do what we're doing, we have no plans to not do this." "What he said," Luke concludes.

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