IT'S STILL NOT EASY
by Mark Woodlief - Special to The Oregonian

Friday, October 28, 2005

HARD CHORDS, HARD TIMES
by Mark Woodlief

Friday, March 26, 2004

   In 2002, Portland rockers UHF released their third CD, "If It Was Easy." Since then, the four-piece has learned just how prophetic a title they chose.
   Despite the increased exposure of having a song from the CD played on the NBC television show "Providence," consistent touring and accolades from alternative critics, it's no easier to be in a talented rock band looking to find its audience.
    Hard work and a solid psychedelic-pop sound have won the band a loyal following in Portland and other West Coast cities. But this band is still self-contained: Booking, publicity and management are all handled by its members. And finding help from a record label is becoming increasingly challenging.
   UHF lead singer and keyboardist Jeremy Leff, hunkered down at a booth on a local tavern with drummer Matt Johnson, says, "We've gotten letters back (from smaller labels) that said, 'You guys are too good for our label; you should be looking at the majors.' And we've been in contact with major labels who're like, 'You're some small band in Portland and nobody's ever heard of you, right?' "
   Johnson says, "So we're in this weird middle spot where we can't seem to find the right place."
   In the meantime, the right move is working on new songs in the studio the band built at Leff's house. Money's tight, times are tough and the songs are turning darker.
   "I think it's the mood of the times," Johnson says. "Somehow, shiny, happy pop doesn't feel very honest right now."
   Leff explains, "Our newer material isn't as sarcastic or sardonic. It's more personal, more introspective, coming from a more emotive place."
   Rounded out by Leff's twin brother, Jordan, on guitar and bassist Jeff Nelson, the band has also increased its range and opened up to wider musical experimentation.
   UHF is stylistically inspired by British bands from the 1960s, such as The Beatles, the Who and the Kinks. But Johnson says UHF recently has been introducing more computer programming to song structure. "It's kind of updating the sound," he says. "All the bands that we love used whatever technology was available to them."
   Leff adds, "Technology can also create a lot of moods that aren't possible if you don't embrace it. We tend to wear our influences on our sleeves sometimes, but with the newer songs I think we're getting away from that and exploring more of our own style."
   Those good creative instincts should help UHF as the band members continue songwriting and build toward releasing their fourth CD later this year. But living what Johnson calls "a break-even lifestyle" probably won't get any easier. Touring will probably still include its fair share of fast-food meals. Or dinner at Denny's, on the good nights.
   "There's even a Denny's in Sacramento where they know us whenever we come in," Leff says with a grin. Or perhaps a grimace.

FEATURE STORY
THE OREGONIAN
Arts & Entertainment Guide / Northwest Buzz

UHF TUNES IN TO A DIFFERENT FREQUENCY
by Jenny Tatone

  Oh, irony. Always absurdly laughable and simultaneously maddening, isn't it? And it seethes in the society that pushes conformity in order to attain individual identity. Hmmm.
  UHF Bandmates and identical twins Jeremy and Jordan Leff just might know a thing or two about life's silly struggle for identity.
  "There's a theme behind it -- what's the running theme?" Jordan asked his brother of the band's new album, half-laughing, half-dazed, either not knowing the answer or not wanting to commit to one.
  "Identity crisis," lead-singer Jeremy responded, sneering slightly.
  "Which is something we don't know anything about," adds a smiling Jordan, who plays guitar, bass and keyboards.
  Stories touching on identity issues stitch like a thread through the local psychedelic pop band's second full-length recording, "If It Was Easy," which they will celebrate with a release party Saturday at Ohm. [Actually, it's UHF's third full-length LP -- ed.]
  "Almost all the songs are character-based, and most of them are going through some sort of identity crisis," said Jeremy, who plays harmonica and keyboards and writes the lyrics. "My own personal inspiration is how a person fits in, how they're different from other people (and) why they're different from other people. There is not a song on there about being a twin, but I'm sure that comes through."
    Soundwise, the band -- Jeremy and Jordan with guitarist and bassist Jeff Nelson and drummer Matt Johnson -- took a fresh approach by writing songs less inspired by 60's garage and mod and, instead, more under the influences of psychedelic's resonance coupled with pop's catchy-ness.
  Produced by Gregg Williams, who's known for his work with Sheryl Crow and the Dandy Warhols, the beautifully layered and impressively intricate "If It Was Easy" shows that the skills and inspirations of the band members have progressed.
  Williams' quirky yet ingenious ideas helped to color and diversify the album. He recorded Jordan's banjo part in the bathroom -- "There's great reverb in that bathtub," says Jordan -- suggested getting Jeremy "hammered" in order to capture "insane" vocals and convinced the group to add female vocals, all for the song "First Thing in the Morning." The sexy solo came from vocalist Kitty, who fronts the local pop-punk group Betty Already. [Actually the banjo and female vocals are on the song 'Easy' -- ed.]
  "Sounds like a cliché, but you've heard other artists talk about how you're in the painting when you're making a record," Jeremy said of the need for a producer. "You can't see yourself, so you have to have somebody see the frame and make sure your colors are all right."
  "Uh-oh, he's calling himself an artist," Jordan chimed in, chuckling. "Watch out!