Minus a plan

You’d think the drummer just died from the way frontman Jordan Williams talks about the state of things in [minus.driver].

The young Atlanta band signed a deal with Universal in November 2002. In March, the label sent them to Los Angeles to record an EP — five radio-ready songs that gracefully combine metal and progressive rock in the vein of Incubus and the Deftones. Aside from that, [minus.driver] have been dormant, making no public appearances since getting signed.

“We were a little disappointed that we didn’t get to record a full-length,” says Williams. Speaking so candidly about his band’s relationship with Universal is unusual for a freshman signee, and his words tarnish the notion that a major label pampers its artists with big cash advances, plentiful studio time and plush touring conditions.

“A lot of bands expect, ‘Oh, the label’s going to buy you all this new equipment; you go out and you get the tour bus and you won’t have to do the van thing anymore.’ That’s not the case,” he says.

With no agent and no plans for touring, besides a show in Atlanta July 2 (following the EP release July 1), nothing seems to be happening for this promising band.

But Williams has faith that Universal has an agenda for [minus.driver]. “I’m sure they have a promotional plan for us,” he says, unconvincingly. But for the moment, “We’re just kind of winging it.”


[minus.driver] plays the Cotton Club Wed., July 2. $8.