Scene+Heard: Two is cool for Coral Stabz

Coral Stabz is Travis Wiggins, left, and Alex Nagata. (Courtesy Eric Alcantra)

BY SABRINA VELAZQUEZ / Special to the Star-Advertiser

The idea of “strength in numbers” or that “more is better” is a well-known cliché. In music, it seems common for bands these days to employ more than the standard four-piece lineup. I’ve seen bands with eight (and sometimes even more) band members on stage at a time, singing layered vocals and incorporating otherwise unusual instruments like an autoharp, glockenspiel, or music box for added effect.

I remember seeing the Canadian band Broken Social Scene perform live in 2006. With 12 members on stage, five electric guitars and a horn section, it was amazing and is still one of my top favorite live shows I’ve ever seen. However, there is also the belief that “less is more.” Duos like The Black Keys, Wye Oak and The White Stripes, to name a few, found that a band can rock just as much with two members. It’s all about the music and what you want to work with.

That’s where local punk band Coral Stabz comes in. Comprised of Travis Wiggins on guitar and vocals, and Alex Nagata on drums, being a band of just two members suits them perfectly.

It is safe to say their sound is lo-fi punk rock with a surf rock edge. Wiggins and Nagata play fully for fun, for the crowd to have a good time and to make a statement about their ideas of what music can be.

“Honestly, it’s less hassle to be in a duo,” said Wiggins. “My old band in Portland would sometimes have 12 members on stage. It gets to be a pain to deal with logistically.”

For Coral Stabz, being a duo just works. Nagata is able to fill in their sound with what Wiggins called a “musical drumming style” as Wiggins’ addictive guitar riffs and voice leave listeners happy. Nothing seems to be missing — and judging by the support they receive, I’d say their listeners agree.

“I’m a minimalist. Minimal gear and members seems right,” said Wiggins. “Also, can you imagine our songs with keyboards and gongs and bass oboes? Yeah, me neither.”

The two met after Wiggins moved to Honolulu from Portland in 2010 and began playing with Nagata in another band. They started talking about how fun it would be to make surf rock music; it wasn’t about taking anything too seriously. After just one rehearsal, Coral Stabz played their first live show the next night and a band was born.

Since their first show, Coral Stabz has played the local indie scene, tightening up their sound and gaining new fans. They are passionate about their shows and the people who attend them.

“I’m not sure what we add to the music scene here. We wear our politics on our sleeve. No apologies for that,” Wiggins said. “We want everyone to have a good time at our shows, but if someone is using slurs or not giving women a chance to get in the mosh pit without getting groped, we’re going to say something.”

My first introduction to Coral Stabz was their EP, “Honolulu’s Burning,” released last September. Recorded at the band’s practice space, “Honolulu’s Burning” is eight tracks of gritty garage band-inspired punk rock, filled with clever sound bites from films and infectious melodies by Wiggins and Nagata. In a short period of time, the band has generated a group of followers who support their music and have responded to their energy.

“There is an amazing local music scene here. I can’t say enough good things about it,” said Wiggins about the local music scene. “There’s a lot going on. That’s exciting.”

So what’s next for the duo, other than a 7” on blue vinyl to be released later this year? Coral Stabz is planning a summer tour.

“We started a no-wave/post-hardcore band called HARSHIST with Annie Up (Riff Raff Zine) and Stevie Rufftrade and we’re taking both HARSHIST and CORAL STABZ on a tour of the Pacific Northwest later this summer,” Wiggins said.
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Sabrina Velazquez is a 2011 Na Hoku Hanohano Award-nominated singer/songwriter and self-proclaimed “music nerd” who was born and raised in Honolulu. Now based in Portland, Oregon, Velazquez posts every Monday on The Pulse.

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