He's what what makes their songs sound so transportive and immersive. His role can be easy to overlook when watching the band perform, but he is the one coming up with all the great sonic soundscapes and production that define the sound of Silversun Pickups. Last but certainly not least there is Joe Lester who plays the keyboards/synths. Like the bass, his drumming stands out and it helps propel the songs forward just as much as the guitar quit honestly. He pounds those drums but always in very rhythmic way. Christopher Guanlao is an amazing drummer as well. She also sings backup and harmonizes with Brian frequently, which helps add to the androgyny of the music. Whereas a lot of Alternative rock bands bury the bass, Nikki's bass is front and center and gives the songs a lot of drive or texture depending on the circumstance. Bassist Nikki Monninger has a very pronounced role in the group. The rest of the members in Silversun Pickups are just as vital to the band overall. My husband told me that he thinks the androgyny of Brian's singing voice is very sexy! Many of my friends don't like Silversun Pickups due to his voice while a few of my friends really like the band with my husband actually loving Brian's voice. It's very androgynous sounding and it seems to be a love it or leave kind of deal. Lead singer Brian Aubert definitely has a unique voice too that sounds like no one else's. In a way Silversun Pickups are going back to how things were before Grunge and taking it in a new and different direction that definitely has some post Grunge elements to it from time to time. Unlike bands such as Puddle of Mud or Staind, who basically ripped off just one or two of the Seattle Grunge bands over and over again, Silversun Pickups cast a much wider net and delve deep into the genre's roots. I of course have listened to all those bands so you can take my word for it here since this is one of those times I am gonna say I'm right and the naysayers are wrong, because most of the naysayers don't have the same knowledge of music that I possess, especially when it comes to 90s Alternative. The people who think they only ripoff the Pumpkins probably have not heard of Lush or Catherine Wheel and they probably have never really listened to Sonic Youth either. Honestly the Pumpkins label is slightly misleading and I feel it's made by music fans who are actually not that aware of Alternative Rock before Grunge. I also hear Radiohead, Garbage and especially Sonic Youth in their music too. First and foremost I hear a lot of Shoegaze, specifically Ride, Lush, Catherine Wheel, Swervedriver and My Bloody Valentine. The band has claimed that the Smashing Pumpkins were never a big influence on them and I believe it because I detect a lot of other bands more in Silversun Pickups' sound. Many fans and critics simply call them a Smashing Pumkpins ripoff or light Pumpkins, but I think saying that is a little short sighted.
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