The similarities of
Tone, a self-proclaimed guitar ensemble, to
Savage Republic and the
Band of Susans are most likely not accidental. The Washington, D.C.-based instrumental band's debut album appeared on Independent Project, the label run by ex-
Savage Republic guitarist
Bruce Licher; the recording was produced by
Robert Poss of
Band of Susans. Including former members of
Government Issue and
Unrest, the group concentrates on building a mass of post-punk guitar sound with a slight psychedelic edge on their instrumentals, also recalling some traits of
Glenn Branca's electric guitar orchestrations. Sustain appeared in 1996. ~ Richie Unterberger