Casper & the Cookies fits bill as ‘something different’

By John Benson

Sure, Jason NeSmith spent some time working with notable indie underground act Of Montreal, but the singer-guitarist, who now fronts his own band Casper & the Cookies, loathes any comparisons.

“Nobody wants to be pushed up against a band they used to be in too much unless you’re Paul McCartney,” said NeSmith, calling from his home in Athens, Ga.

“But I guess there is some legitimacy to that. We both play with the pop structure. We both sort of have influences off the beaten path. [Of Montreal] has changed styles a lot and in a more dramatic sense than we have. So I think ours has been more gradual.”

As for the recently released Casper & the Cookies’ third studio effort, “Modern Silence,” the gradual shift in style is evident when listening to tracks such as “Sharp!” and “Pete Erchick Bicentennial Service Area.” Regarding where NeSmith feels the new effort colors Casper & the Cookies, he offers various opinions.

“We sort of have chosen several positions, which probably equals no position at all,” NeSmith laughed. “With some people, I have noticed that a lot of the reviews are favorable, but the worst-case scenario is that people are so confused by what we’re giving them that people decided it’s all too weird and they don’t like it. So it is a little bit of a weird place for us to be, but it is what we chose and it is what we like. And I just figure that I give people the benefit of the doubt that they like all kinds of music and can deal with more than one style on a record.”

Something NeSmith said is in the band’s favor is the fact its hometown is known for producing some of the more creative and seminal alternative acts — The B-52’s, R.E.M. — of the past few decades. In fact, the act often receives billing as an Athens, Ga., band, which in turn does entice music fans looking for something different. This is what NeSmith hopes will happen when Casper & the Cookies makes its Youngstown debut Friday at Cedars Lounge.

When asked who would enjoy seeing Casper & the Cookies in concert, NeSmith paints an interesting picture.

“My grandma is coming out to see us in Kansas, and she only listens to big-band music,” NeSmith said.

“So, I don’t really know, and I hate to limit ourselves. Sometimes I think the hipster contingent is probably not the right audience for us because they’re really concerned that everything they listen to will make them look even cooler. I don’t know if we’ll do that.”

He added, “I just say people who honestly just like music, not as a fashion statement. We are sort of fashion; we wear fake eyelashes and prance around like a bunch of nerds, but it’s a little more homegrown.”

If you go

Who: Casper & the Cookies with Everything Now! and November Loop

When: 10 p.m. Friday

Where: Cedars Lounge, 23 N. Hazel St., Youngstown

Tickets: Call (724) 743-6560