You may not have heard of The Ivory Coast just yet. The band is relatively new, and hasn't headlined any shows so far in its just-over-two-year career.
You probably have, however, seen the artwork of its drummer, Somerville native Mahmood Shaikh. Exit the T at Davis Square. Hang a left at the turnstiles. Yup, one of those mysterious, vibrantly colored, oddly themed tiles that Somervillians pass on a daily basis was created by a wee Shaikh as a schoolchild.
Tonight, you can acquaint yourself with Shaikh and the rest of The Ivory Coast at The Paradise, where they'll start a first of three show-openers for Buffalo Tom. It's one gig in a string of opening acts the band has done since its conception in 1998 - the guys have been touring the northeast over and over again, frequenting The Middle East in Cambridge, colleges (including a few shows last year at Tufts), and other small, cozy venues.
They've been working hard, introducing lots of bigger-named bands to crowds, but lead vocalist and guitarist Jay Cox isn't lamenting the second fiddle status they've grown accustomed to. "We're not in the position to do that yet," Cox said. "I'd rather open for a band right now. I dunno, headlining... we're not there yet."
They're on their way, though, and have been working at it steadily for a while now. The band's first show was at The Middle East in 1998. It filled winter, spring, and summer of 1999 with spotty gigs in New York and Massachusetts, before the acquisition of keyboardist Scott Craggs in the fall of that year. This completed the Ivory Coast quintet, which now could tour in full force.
The group is comprised of former acquaintances and friends, which, according to Cox, "helps, especially when you have 12 hour rides in between cities." Cox and guitarist Drew O' Doherty were in a together band before The Ivory Coast, while bassist Nick Hubben recorded an old record of theirs. The rest just seemed to fall seamlessly into place. "It was the right place, right time... one of those things."
The Ivory Coast is Boston-flavored, and has been from the outset. Cox wasn't into the performance scene until he moved to Boston from his hometown of Philadelphia. He attended Emerson College, and has remained in Beantown since. Like most Boston rockers, Cox has found a niche in the city. "This is where my guitar stays," he said, "and it's awesome."
Unfortunately, his guitar pretty much stays put away during the work week - Cox and the rest of the band haven't surrendered their day jobs just yet. You'd think he would be happy that this at least keeps him immersed in the music industry - his company calls college radio stations, promoting records. Less than thrilled would be more accurate. "Boring. It's boring."
And so Cox stresses that deskwork is completely temporary, a labor of love about getting by until bandwork can step into the limelight.
"All of my energy is focused toward [the band]. I'm always looking forward to the weekend for shows. My job gets me through Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Eventually, I'd like the band to be on tour all the time. We have a van that hopefully doesn't break down anymore."
Thoughts as to when this transformation will take place are unclear. "Hopefully soon. The plan is to put out another record next fall. Hopefully by next fall, the band will be full time."
The band's first record, The Rush of Oncoming Traffic, was released this past summer by Big Wheel Recreation. It has the fire and earnestness of a first album, with a raw innocence that permeates all 13 tracks. It's unpolished in a way, and it is Cox's scratchy vocals that contribute to this feel, driving the sound in a melancholy direction. Perhaps it was his influences. Cox was quick to answer what flavors the work, and what drives The Ivory Coast's songs, in general.
"Boring day jobs, boring relationships, boring cities, and boring friends... well, you can just say friends, cities, relationships, and jobs. Boring should just be implied." If you can relate, visit www.lumberjack-online.com, www.insound.com, or search independent record stores to find their album.
Always Boston to the core, the album's "Bad Blood through Blue Veins" will be featured in the film Massholes, which will feature The Mighty Might Bosstones' Dicky Barrett, and is produced by Ari Newmann of Next Stop Wonderland fame. A two-track single was just released this week, featuring Jodi Buonanno from the band Secret Stars doing writing and vocals on the song "Soledad."
The Ivory Coast opens tonight at The Paradise, 967 Commonwealth Ave. Buffalo Tom will headline the show. The band will be back in Boston to play The Middle East, on Sunday, Dec. 3 with Ranier Maria, Aerialist, and The Common Cold.
