No Second Troy

When a band names itself after a William Butler Yeats poem, its music is likely to be either pretentious or intelligent.

Put Washington’s No Second Troy squarely in the latter category. Articulate, insightful songwriting abounds on “Narcotic,” the band’s self-released full-length album. But this isn’t shoe-gazing, singer-songwriter stuff – not by a long shot.

No Second Troy are five highly-skilled musicians who collaborate to create a swirling sonic palette consisting of big guitars, pealing pianos, rock-steady rhythm and Jeff Wharen’s arena-ready vocals.

Critics and music industry types are taking note of the group’s sophisticated rock sound, which incorporates pop hooks with unique indie arrangements (think Coldplay meets Arcade Fire).

“ No Second Troy burns as bright as the sun,” hailed Spin Magazine last September. The Washington Post contends that the local band is “as ready for prime-time as you’ll ever hear,” while AOL Cityguide describes them as “one of the best unsigned bands in DC.”

According to lead guitarist Tom McCarthy, the current incarnation of No Second Troy came to be in 2004 when a female singer that he, drummer Vijay Shanker and keyboardist Mike Beach had been working with moved to Canada. The remaining trio found their new singer the old fashioned way – they advertised in the local classifieds. When Jeff Wharen came in to audition the guys knew they had found their new voice. Wharen had just returned to Washington from a gig teaching English in Korea and he was ready to rock.

“ We knew right away he was really good, so we were psyched about it,” McCarthy said, adding that Bassist John Woolf rounded the group out.

McCarthy described No Second Troy as “Brit pop meets Indie Rock.”

“ We wouldn’t say we’re like Arcade Fire or exacty like U2, but hopefully we’re somewhere in the middle,” McCarthy said, tossing in the comparative reference of Death Cab For Cutie for good measure. “The key [to the group’s lush, densely layered sound] is the guitars. We have a lot more at our disposal with a second guitar and Mike is kind of like an octopus on the keyboard.”

McCarthy said none of the band has quit their day jobs just yet, but No Second Troy is definitely flirting with that possibility. Major labels are sniffing around, and the band’s new record is getting rave reviews and multiple spins on college radio. Don’t be surprised if the band opens for some of its heroes in the near future

“ It’s going great, and since the new CD came out things have been fantastic,” McCarthy explained.

No Second Troy’s upcoming Jan. 11 gig at the Black Cat is shaping up to be the local music event of early 2008. McCarthy encouraged longtime fans to come celebrate the band’s growing success, and he invited those who are simply curious to come and see what all the fuss is about.

The group has an avid fan base in Boston, but the local guys will always consider Washington home. McCarthy said the area’s music scene has become much more vibrant in recent years, and No Second Troy has been a direct beneficiary.

“ D.C. gets a bad rap as a music town, but we really like it here,” McCarthy explained. “Over the past few years, there have been a lot of really good bands here and it's pushed us along.”

For more info, visit www.nosecondtroy.com.