In 1994, Louise Post wrote that Nina Gordon, her cohort in Veruca Salt, was her “spiritual soul mate.” Lyrics to songs like “Seether” and “Volcano Girls,” written by Gordon, seemed to confirm that the feeling was reciprocated. The screaming guitars of “Volcano Girls” die down for just a second, and Nina teases with the line “here’s another hint if you please, the seether’s Louise.”
This extremely close relationship ended earlier this year, when Gordon walked out of the band leaving Post as the only remaining member from the original lineup who delivered the raw power of their debut American Thighs. Jim Shapiro, the original drummer, left to pursue his own songwriting after recording Eight Arms To Hold You, their brilliant sophomore CD.
Stacy Jones, formerly of Letters to Cleo, joined them when touring began to support the record. Rumours abound as to what prompted Gordon’s sudden departure. The sordid story circulating on fan sites claims that Gordon and Jones became involved while on tour, leading to disagreement between Post and Gordon.
Gordon released a solo album this summer on Outpost Records, the same label that released Eight Arms. The languid single “Tonight and For the Rest of my Life” has taken up permanent residence on the playlists of mainstream pop stations across the nation. Veruca Salt fans made their disappointment with the album well known.
Meanwhile, Post put together a new lineup and recorded Resolver, the new album they are touring to promote. It is this very different incarnation of Veruca Salt that will play at AJ’s Hangar on Wednesday.
How will this new sound be received by fans who are probably more familiar with the poppy hits written by the absent Gordon? Post’s songs tend to be heavier and darker, reflecting her hard rock and metal influences.
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