CHOON

Musical Style | The Rhodes: Mods of the Noughties?

Music and fashion are intrinsically linked. Countless designers cite musical inspirations for their collections, like Felder-Felder whose A/W 08 collection was inspired by Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, while designer Samantha Pleet cites David Bowie and Nirvana as continuous inspirations from season to season, or Limi Feu’s S/S 09 collection where models were sent down the runway wearing Princess Leia style headphones.

All we have to do is look at any musician, and my point is proven. Take for example The Rhodes – an up and coming band based out of Hudson Valley, New York.

Their style is an undeniable mix of musical influences. They manage to reference mod, and in doing so inadvertently nod to soul and English heritage, (note the tweed, note the hats) a style synonymous with countless 60’s and 70’s bands from The Rolling Stones to The Kinks and also with today’s indie scene. Into the mix, a splash of country and western is thrown, and the boys are often seen sporting the black shirt, black braces, black trouser combo Johnny Cash was so fond of. Yet when listening to their songs like ‘Joe, Johnny’ or ‘Jack or Against the Tracks,’ it’s evident that Mr Cash influences far more than their fashion choices. And I must say I would be strongly surprised if all members don’t have plaid shirts lurking somewhere in their wardrobes.

However, their style and their music, I feel, is firmly rooted in the 60’s. Beatle-esque tracks such as ‘Call on Me’ and ‘Shakedown’ instantly provoke images of the Beatles after they embraced mod with fervour. Their unionised dressing, popular with bands like The Searchers or the Beatles, was also a trait shared by Motown, which the band acknowledge as a musical influence.

Then there’s the hair; both Derek, rhythm guitarist/lead singer and David, drums, rock bowler-shaggy hairstyles that would make any mod proud, while Rob – treble guitar, and Vince – bass, have hair do’s that bear a hint of Little Richard vibe, dare I say?

If The Rhodes were a design house they would have the classic nature of Burberry Porsum, the innovativeness of Alexander McQueen, be the staple in wardrobes that are Pringle of Scotland and Paul Smith, with a dash of Ben Sherman thrown in for good measure – as you can’t after all deny a brand the mods favoured.

I find it interesting to observe that the band’s great influencers originate from beat music and soul, two subcultures which mod fashion and life grew out of; bringing me to ask the question are The Rhodes the mods of the noughties?

What do you think? Check ‘em out and let me know.

By Susan Walsh