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They’re going, going, and ‘Gong’ – Metro US

They’re going, going, and ‘Gong’

The title of Quasi’s seventh record, “American Gong,” is a reference to a TV show that used to be on in the 1970s.

“If the act sucks, they get the gong,” says drummer Janet Weiss about “The Gong Show.”

But the “Gong” they bang in Quasi is a statement for singer Sam Coomes.

“To Sam the record is a political concept,” says Weiss. “He’s portraying America as a super power and saying it’s time for us to realize this isn’t the right path for us right now.”

The album begins with the driving trudge of guitars and a spoken word verse that resembles a Sonic Youth song. There are also acoustic and piano ballads where Coomes croons like Doug Martsch of Built to Spill. But no matter what direction his vocal stylings take, Weiss is always there to meet him with harmonies in the chorus.

“Quasi still has a rebellious anti-corporate, anti-passivity to it,” notes Weiss. “We’re trying to shake people into enjoying and listening to something rebellious. We just want to jump around and make a racket, realize we’re alive and make a little noise.”

Perhaps their most dynamic record to date, Quasi’s sound has further evolved with the enlisting of Jicks bassist, Joanna Bolme. “Sam can focus on guitar now. That’s a major difference between this record and the last one. Sam doesn’t have to focus on the keyboard and can concentrate more on the songs, which he’s probably been itching to explore for a while. Being a power trio feels solid and powerful. It’s a locomotive of sorts.”

Quasi

Tonight, 9

Middle East Downstairs

480 Mass. Ave., Cambridge

MBTA: Red Line to Central

$12, 617-864-EAST

www.mideastclub.com