Sullen Teen rocks the underground

By Cameron Collins

It's not very often that one gets a chance to encounter greatness, and yet it seems that every time I head out to see the ultra-underground Sullen Teen that I am simply left in awe. Never having released an album, the Sullen Teen experience comes simply from participating in a live concert, something that could never be recreated on an album. Plus, they are against capitalism and are simply too broke to give away free records.

Anyhow, if you have already experienced the Teen, I suggest you put down this article now because there really is not any way I can describe this accurately, but if you haven't, read on in suspense and I will do my best.

Sullen Teen's greatness comes from their utter obscurity. This wasn't the first time I've seen them. The only way one comes across Sullen Teen is if one happens to be in the presence of someone who has been to one of their shows when they get the call � Oftentimes it's simply a recording, but the message is always the same "Sullen Teen, Tonight, 10 p.m., meet at [insert a random parking lot here]."

After arriving at the parking lot, you have to find the car with a license plate that is not Californian. On the dashboard of the car is a flier with the address of a venue where Sullen Teen will play. Usually it's in the basement of some establishment, but this past show was something special � it was on the roof of a well-known office building.

With such previous hits as "Grendel is my Girlfriend" (a song that was written after meeting yours truly when I was introduced to the band by my then girlfriend in such a manner) and "Life Sucks My Soul Out of My Head into a Whirlwind of Pain and Desire so Entangled with Deceit that I am Blind to the Truth of what it is to be in Love and not Suffer a Pain worse than being Drawn and Quartered" it is no wonder that these guys have such a big following.

So keep your eyes and ears open so that you may too have your first Sullen Teen experience.

Listen to Grendel, the #1 DJ in Sillicon Valley as voted by Metro Readers, every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. on 103.3 FM KSCU Santa Clara.