Some people believe that all a good band needs is a hot chick on the keyboard, and others believe the most important element is a phenomenal drummer. The band Plum has both.

Think Portishead meets Evanescence. With driving drums and a dramatic indie rock style, Plum is an up-and-coming local band that people may want to keep tabs on.

But make sure to get there on time, because Plum plays early shows.

“We can’t play late shows cause sometimes we get too wasted,” said 24-year-old cellist Leigh “Annabelle Leigh” Logsden.

On Oct. 5, with a little “liquid courage”, Plum took the stage at the Rickshaw Stop and released their ambient sound to a crowd of around 40 people.

“We are dark and moody, but we can definitely rock some times,” said bassist/guitarist Mike E.G., 27.

SF State international relations major Dominique Divine has been attending Plum concerts since she found out about the band two years ago.

“They’ve progressed and gotten better and better,” she said.
On Oct. 5, Divine was front and center on the dance floor for her favorite song “Drowning,” the second song Plum played.

“Their music in general is heart wrenching, it’s mood provoking. You listen to it and it puts you in a state of mind,” Divine explained of her love for Plum.

The six-song set included both new tunes and songs off their 2004 EP “Plum Baby Oil Machine.”

Breaking it down with “No Words,” a song that really does have words, Plum received foot taps and head nods of approval.

The band formed three years ago starting with Iranian born Rohini Moradi, 24, and Crouch, 26. Crouch, a former SF State music major, and Moradi met in high school.

“Vanessa was the first person who came to mind when I was thinking of starting a band,” Moradi said.

They then recruited Steve Wills for drums, a couple of bassists, and cellists later, they found Mike E.G. and Annabelle Leigh.

“(Our music) is intertwined. The piano plays the bass, the bass plays the guitar, the drums are driving and the vocals pull it all together with the cello adding a new texture,” said Moradi.

Since all four members have been together, they have toured the Southwest, Arizona and Texas. They have played in Los Angeles, San Diego and Salt Lake City, all without the help of a major label, but with some hard knocks.

“We played a house party in Texas where all these metal bands played first, and we took the stage after all the kegs ran out. We got plastered and booed,” said Crouch.

Their homecoming show at the Lipo Lounge resulted in lots of booze and hard falls.

“I was reaching down to get my friend’s drink, and I got my foot all caught up in chords and fell off the stage,” Moradi said, shaking her head.

Plum has used it all as encouragement and keeps the experimental post rock going by recording a new full-length album due out in January 2006, titled “The Year of Plum.”

Audiences can check out Plum on Nov. 17, at the Red Devil Lounge at 10:30 p.m. sharp, or at their Web site www.myspace.com/plum.