Kind of Like: Solids, Young Lungs, Campaign Genres:Punk, Pop Punk, Grunge, Indie, Garage Rock Preview:
This reminds me so much of Solids, who also happen to be from Montreal like this band. I would have to say these guys are a bit more raw than Solids, and have less of a poppy feel (more yelling, less singing). A lot of their artwork is done by Jonathan Robert. I have been browsing his stuff and I really like this guy's style. I also really like this band's style. Seacrest, out.
These guys opened up the show at Babetown. This didn't strike me when listening to them live, but now that I am listening to these songs, they remind me a ton of Solids. These two songs are really fun and strong. As far as I can tell, this is the first offering from these guys. They seem to be fairly new, but they are already starting to get some buzz, even overseas.
Kind of Like: Quilty, Grass is Green, Hop Along Genres: Indie, Garage Rock/Grunge, Math Rock, Post-hardcore Buy: 10" Preview:
These guys played with Peace Be Still at Babetown in Amherst, MA. As far as the shows went, this show had the most varied bands as far as genres/sound go, but they all were great. Every band was really good, and I made a note that I would do a post for each of them. The others were California X, You'll Live, and Life in Vacuum.
I am very excited to see these guys are doing a full US tour starting next month. They have a Kalamazoo and Detroit date near the end of it, so hopefully they have safe travels!
Kind of Like: Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, Cheap Girls Genres: Garage Rock, Grunge, Indie, Pop Punk Buy: Machette Records Preview:
Got the chance to see this Montreal-based band in their hometown during Pouzza Fest. They played pretty late; after midnight. So, I caught most of their set and then afterwards joined the people flooding the streets in protest over tuition raises. I had no informed opinion on the manner, but I wanted to capture as much as I could of it.
This band's set was sick. From what I can remember the lights were out except for one bright lamp hanging from the ceiling that shone in one direction. It hung just in front of the band so as the crowd flowed/surged back and forth towards the stage it was knocked and spun around as the band ripped their music. It was a smaller venue called L'absynthe. It had a really good vibe to it, and they had their own variety of beers they brewed themselves there.
Like I said, these guys were really awesome, and if you are from the states, you won't have to wait too long to see them. Especially if you are going to Fest 11 in Gainesville, hint hint.
While Poo's out at Pouzza Fest, I'll be holding down the fort here at home. There's a good deal of new stuff I've been meaning to post so be on the lookout throughout the day. Let's begin with Spirit Night from Brooklyn, NY.
Spirit Night is always Dylan Balliett, usually Pete Wilmoth, and sometimes other friends of theirs. Their sound is an interesting mix of emo/indie pop/lo-fi, with a little garage rock/punk added in there as well. You may have already heard their full-length debut, What We Will Be, back in 2010, or their Normal EP, which was released last year. Their newest, One Man Houses, came out earlier this year on Broken World Media (the record label run by Derrick Shanholtzer of The World is a Beautiful Place & I am no Longer Afraid to Die fame), and it is not what you would expect if you have heard them previously. I mean that in a good way - it's faster, catchier, and headed in a great direction.
I also enjoyed the B-side that was deemed "too shitty" to include on the album:
You can stream this album on their Bandcamp, download it below, and/or purchase it via Broken World.
It's nice to see the boys from bands like Algernon, Snowing, and Glocca Morra try something that is somewhat out of their comfort zone as far as recent projects go. I am assuming Zack from Glocca Morra is on the vocals, and Tank from Algernon is doing drums. Then sprinkle in other people from Snowing and what not. I have a feeling I met some of them in Philadelphia, but the only name I remember is Zack's. This is pretty lo-fi, but it sounds cool like that. It's like an old fun garage rock/pop punk band. This comes out on 4/20, heh.
Kind of like: The Strokes, Cage the Elephant, White Denim Genres: Garage, Indie Rock, Brit Rock Preview: Bandcamp
The Autonomics are a Portland based 3 piece rock and roll group that takes a very straightforward approach to the garage infused brit rock sound ever so popularized in the early 2000s by groups like The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand and The White Stripes. Their arrangement have a particular flow and tone that suits the style perfectly. These guys are good friends of mine and our bands have shared many bills together in the last year since both moving to Portland. Below are both DIY EPs released last year, available for free from bandcamp, and I can't wait till these guys release a full length album.
For fans of: The Joy Formidable, Nico Vega, The White Stipes, Nirvana, The Pixies Genres: Garage Rock, Shoegaze, Indie Preview:
This British duo plays a style that sounds nostalgic of 90's shoegaze and grunge but introduces a new touch without feeling forced or out of place. For just guitar, vocals and drums, there is no lack of energy or complexity; the magic is in the arrangements. Dynamically this is a very strong album and offers more and more surprises with repeat listens.
Kind of Like: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Smith Westerns, Bright Eyes Genres: Shoegaze, Garage Rock, Indie, Rock
Preview:
The song starts off slow for sure, but the further it gets along, the more I like it. They have a shoegaze feel, but at times explode with some heavy garage rock/rock n' roll riffs. They feel almost nostalgic at times, especially in the last couple minutes of this song. Their other songs are also pretty varied, ranging from folky/indie-y Bright Eyes stuff to surfy sounds. So far I like "Alex" and "Vomit" a lot. Then there are songs like "Die" that have straight up Queens-of-the-Stone-Age guitar riffs that I think even Kenny might appreciate.
Other news:
I'm sure you all heard, the beloved band, Snowing, has broken up. It's a shame because I really was interested to see what their next LP brought. I feel like they were getting a lot stronger as a band. Not to mention, the title of this blog is lyrics from one of their songs. I'm happy I at least got to see them twice before they broke up, and hopefully we will be seeing new projects by them soon.
Those of you waiting for the Prawn/For Hours and Hours split, I talked to Tony the other day, and it looks like it won't get a formal release. They did sell about 100 cd's of the split while they played with For Hours and Hours in Texas, but that is the only format that the split will see the light of day. They weren't happy with the quality of their songs, but he did say the songs will be released on a forthcoming EP after they are rerecorded. So if anybody in the Texas area got their hands on the split, and would like to share it, I'm sure people would still be interested.
So, Fest released it's schedule, and I finally got my tickets and my mode of transportation set. The end of October can't come soon enough. It's going to be a fantastic road trip. I even got all organized and made a spreadsheet of the bands I want to see and when they are playing. What a nerd.
***=I won't really care if I miss them for some reason.
And I also want to visit this place to or from it. It's a town of hundreds of cats, living in hand carved buildings. D'awwww.
Kind of Like: Guided By Voices, Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, Foo Fighters Genres: Rock, Indie, Garage Rock, Noise Rock Preview:Bandcamp
I've been trying to find a leak for this for months. Maybe I just haven't been looking hard enough, but I finally found one. I have been excited to hear this debut from the Chicago based band that got signed to Sargent House. I heard the first song and have been looking for it ever since:
It's a pretty solid debut, and Sargent House continues to impress me by not only having a great roster of bands, but also having a great roster of bands from varying genres. I haven't seen any plans for tours by them yet, but I'm going to keep my eye out. Finally, for the people expecting a zine, I hope to have them mailed out tomorrow.
Kind of Like: Tweakbird, Part Chimp, Sic Alps Genres: Rock N Roll, Garage Rock, Noise Rock, Punk Preview: Myspace
Do you ever wake up at night in a cold sweat, rolling over to your laptop to fill yourself with a need? A need to see grizzly Isreali men getting their groove on? Monotonix has you covered.
Apparently, these guys know how to put on a show. Dissatisfied with their scene in Isreal they began playing shows where they set up on the floor among the crowd, playing shows raucous enough to result in the power being shut off or the police called in. Eventually, they would play festivals where they have become known to light their equipment and theirselves on fire, pour audience member's drinks on themselves, and turn concerts into frenzied dance parties. I doubt this album can possibly convey that energy, but at least it gives you a little taste.
