The Sexual Side Effects

The [...] Side Effects (SSE) are an independent American rock band formed in Atlanta, GA in 2011. The group's MusicAL style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on post-punk and glam rock along with elements from other genres such as space rock and psychedelic rock. The band consists of Amber Taylor (guitar, vocals), Clay McClure (drums), Mike Sidner (bass), and recently added guitarist Ryan McDougall.

History

Amber Taylor is a transgender musician who began playing around the Atlanta music scene in 2000. She was in the progressive rock band Cobweb Strange at one point and was a featured headliner at the Pat Briggs Glitterdome in 2003. Amber eventually branched off as a solo artist forming the Amber Taylor Band which later became known as Amber Taylor and the [...] Side Effects.

In late December 2010, Amber met Mike Sidner at an industrial-goth club, The Shelter, and started talking AbOUT music and her band. Realizing that they shared musical influences and a yearning to play in a successful band, they began exploring the idea of putting the band back together. On New Year's Day, 2011, Amber dedicated herself to pursuing her dreams. Together with Mike, she reenlisted long-time friend Clay to plays drums in a new incarnation of The [...] Side Effects. After a couple of rehearsals as a trio, the band yearned for a second guitarist to round out the sound. The band auditioned two guitarists, including Matt Foster, guitarist from the Atlanta bum rock band Toy Devils. With Matt on the roster, the band began rehearsing in earnest.

The band unveiled their new lineup in a debut show at 529 in East Atlanta village on Thursday, April 28, 2011. The show set a record for Thursday turn-out at the club. The band toured the eastern and south-western US. After a year, Matt Foster left the band to pursue a solo project, and the band recruited multi-instrumentalist Ryan McDougall to play guitar and sing backing vocals.

Musical Style

"SSE has a very solid, psychedelic sound – the kind you might hear when falling down a rabbit hole"

The band's fresh indie-pop take on post-punk and glam rock revival is catchy. Melodic guitars, entrancing vocals, and tight arrangements define most of the material, but the live set often includes extended space jams and intense guitar solos. Influences ranging from Echo & The Bunnymen to Queens of the Stone Age can be heard in the songwriting and guitar playing.

Band Members

  • Amber Taylor — Lead vocals, guitar
  • Ryan McDougall — Guitar, backing vocals
  • Clay McClure — Drums
  • Mike Sidner — Bass

Discography

Accomplished Atlanta producer John Briglevich (Drivin’ N Cryin’, Edwin McCain, Red Letter Agent) is working with the band on their debut EP, High Maintenance, released February 11th 2012, and available online on the band's Bandcamp site.