Hours upon Ours

by Roya Butler


The Field Day Music Festival saturated the crowd with energy unabashed. Sustaining the laborious torment of the "on-again, off-again, venue-moved, days-reduced, bands-removed, rain-not-shine" concert, were the hardcore Field Day enthusiasts. Andrew Dreskin, executive producer of Field Day Fest motored on triumphantly to keep the day afloat despite natural (and man-made) causes. Everyone putting the Fest together, including the bands, and especially Dreskin, should be respectfully prized for their determination and zealous follow-through. 

Arriving at the venue, I was surprised to find poetic organization from working staff, as well as intrinsically beautiful fans. While drifting around the enigmatic maze a.k.a. Giants Stadium, I heard music effectively sincere-essentially meditative. My entire body tingled as I was instantly melting in place. My being encompassed an essence of unity with everything around me, dissolving into sheer splendor. That music was Ours. 

The sheer virtuosity seamlessly shrieking ever-so-lucid from Jimmy Gnecco's (Ours singer/guitarist) lungs not only posed food for thought, but also nurtured the soul. Here lies evidence that the entity of Ours are their songs-pure and untamed; audience reaction to the music substantiated my perception. Ours played an impeccable set; kids were glued with thrill-yet stirring back and forth-elated sensation radiating from every emotive note. As Ours emoted the very last note, the audience transposed to a cohesively amiable state, vividly wanting more.

With influences such as The Cure, The Smiths, and David Bowie, who could deny that love and life imprint into Ours music. Playing songs from their DreamWorks releases Precious (2002) and Distorted Lullabies (2001) on this tour, Ours anticipates a new release Spring 2004. Gnecco reflects, "We're on a record per year cycle rite now. When we recorded the first album, I was in a certain place at the time. We wanted to create something slightly different on the second record. Now having done them both, I feel like the next one will definitely be a combination of both." Gnecco's valiant work ethic plays into his songwriting: "My inspiration comes from playing non-stop and writing non-stop. I'm inspired while on the road, while I'm running, even while on vacation- even though I don't take those." When asked to point out his favorite songs on Precious, Genecco replies pensively, "That's hard to say. When we make a record, we make it with the goal of making a good record from beginning to the end. I have my favorite tracks (#10 and #12), but they're not necessarily everyone else's favorites. There's a lot in the record, so I'd say let other people make their minds up for themselves." 


Ours:
Jimmy Gnecco: vocals/guitar
Dave Milone: guitar
Race: bass
Anthony Demarco: Keyboards
Ethan Johns: Drums/production

Discography:
Precious (2002)
Distorted Lullabies (2001)

Website:
www.ours2.net