golden gram :: press

golden gram :: press links

interview with gram in the eastbay express

interview with gram on gutlessezine

SF Weekly: Best Local Indie Pop Artist You've Probably Never Heard

fall 2001
indiepages

This is a different, but still pretty cool cd. It's Gram LeBron (ex-Schrasj), who's from Oakland, CA via Houston, TX. In general, this can best be described as an Elephant 6-ish sound mixed with the Kinks (sort of like the Breezy Porticos or the Gwens). It's kinda lo-fi, but not crappy sounding. Gram recorded & played (almost) everything by himself. Many of the songs are quite short, almost like snippets (the 13 song disc is about 30 minutes), and there are occasionally some really great poppy songs in there, such as "Chimes" & "Brand Mgmt.". The sound and feel of this is generally upbeat, but not very loud. The last couple songs on here are kind of electronica sounding, and not too interesting... MTQ=11/13

summer 2001
shredding paper issue #10

Golden Gram is really Gram LeBron of schrasj, and this is a home recording done all by lonesome, except for a few backing vocals and some of the percussion work. The songs sound like early Stereolab, meandering at times and with heavy fuzzy instruments bordering on electronica, while others are simple melodic guitar indie pop gems. It's the simplicity of the more melodic tunes that catches in my throat. "Brand Management" is a song to listen to over and over again for the easy way LeBron can write a tune with hooks and memorable guitar lines, while other songs take some of schrasj jazz influence and mix them with pop. Interesting to listen to, because you hear something a little different with every play, it leads you down a long lonesome journey into a musical oasis that eventually finds the water to quench you thirsts.

07.25.2001
gutlesszine

Continuing with Bay Area of California, Gram LeBron (formerly of Houston, ex-Schrasj) transplanted himself to Oakland in 1999. His first full-fledged California recording is under the moniker “Golden Gram”. The self-titled CD is once again on Ojet. It is virtually entirely performed by Gram. The disc starts off with “Hello”, like any new friendship starts, with a greeting. This is certainly lighter and shinier than the noisier Schrasj. Listening to these home-recordings, I can imagine Gram dancing in his loft to the rhythm and bass (plus harmonica in the background!) of “How Did You Get Here?” and sitting still to the melancholy subdued nature of “Decidedly Southern”. His relaxed nature shines through. I’m at a loss to compare this to anything else I’ve heard before.
stephen cramer

04.24.2001

Golden gram is the music of a great melody. It is likely to take to it. I expect that Golden Gram comes to Japan. Thank you for teaching wonderful web.

inainas
napster user

06.10.2001
spacelab.org

I was quite surprised by this CD! Umm.. what else.. you might notice that I'm not getting any better with writing reviews. I think a lot of people will like this band, Golden Gram. It's basically a one-man band (I think), Gram Lebron, formerly of Schrasj. I guess he lives in Oakland. If you love pop, the kind with poppy acoustic and shakers, or if you like electronic, dancy beats, good ol' indie rock, experimental, and trip hop, you probably would like Golden Gram. I dunno why, so don't ask me, but this album sort of reminded me of Benett's So You're Not Coming Over? if Gram Lebron was a girl. Okay, that's all I have to say. Thank you. mioi

more reviews at ojet.com