Quasi: Unearthing the Paranormal Secrets of Recording with Portland's Sonic Adventurers

BY LARRY CRANE

Quasi are a unique band. Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss play all the instruments and both sing, though Sam's forte is manic guitar and keyboard work and Janet is a drummer extraordinaire. They used to be in Motorgoat, a more conventional "rock" trio and Sam was in the fine Donner Party combo from San Francisco. They've been playing out as Quasi since mid 1993, sometimes employing extra musicians but lately, not. Their first CD, Early Recordings, came out earlier this year and it an amazing release. There's pop songs, there's noises and there's always a keen sense of musical and sonic adventure going on. They're nearly done with a new album, which is set to be even stronger in the pop song department and will have a different sound, due to the use of rock band Pond's nifty little recording set up (Sam shares a house with Charlie from Pond.) I met up with Quasi after band practice at Sam's late one Friday night....