As a massive Deerhunter fan I am excited to hear about the band recording a new album in Brooklyn, which according to Rolling Stone, Bradford Cox describes as “a very avant-garde rock & roll record.” Sounds like Deerhunter. Apparently, Deerhunter has two new members in guitarist Frankie Broyles and bassist Josh McKay, does this mean bassist Joshua Fauver has left the band? Anyway, it will be interesting to see how these two new members influence the sound of the band on this record and in their live show. “Dream Captain” is the name of one of the new songs. Okay, I don’t need to hear more, I want to just listen to the album when it comes out. Take a look at these pictures from Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/deerhunter-record-new-album-in-brooklyn-20130208
2013 has brought us a new Young Adults EP – Born In ’91. Big guitar sounds, catchy sludge. The year I was born. Reminds me of why I was so intrigued when I first heard them a few years ago. They haven’t been too active in the past couple of years, but they are back – new bassist and some upcoming shows at TT The Bears (Feb 21 and Mar 29).
Check out the EP below and at their Bandcamp, where you can buy a limited edition CD.
I just found this right now and as a Magic Kids fan, I feel obliged to post it here for all you other Magic Kids fans out there. The sad, mopey bands of the world have run amok for too long! Fear not, Magic Kids are here to spread love and happiness for all, well maybe two years ago, but you can relive the old glory days here tonight on KLYAM.
Bands: Fat Creeps, Miniboone, Bunny’s A Swine, Pile Date: Thursday, January 24, 2013 Venue: O’Brien’s Pub (Allston, MA)
Act I: Fat Creeps– We the KLYAM first saw Fat Creeps here at O’Brien’s Pub last April, Friday the 13th to be exact. Here we are again, nine months later, a lot has gone down in the time since then: touring, an EP release, many shows (much of them KLYAM attended and reviewed), and loads of rightfully deserved media attention. I recall Fat Creeps as being a memorable band with catchy, weird pop songs that reminded me of The Shaggs, Beat Happening, and Vivian Girls. I wasn’t thinking whoa, this band has totally changed how I look at music! but there was something unique about them. Honestly, I thought they had this sort of outsider thing going on, which is pretty far from their actual “sound.” Overtime, I just developed a greater affinity for their music and it feels like they have grown significantly as musicians and performers in the nine months since my initial live experience. They sound stronger and heavier than ever and yet they still have that odd charm that sparked my interest in the first place. This performance is the longest Creeps set I have ever witnessed, it feels like I am seeing a national, headlining act on tour. My brother Justin, who has never seen the band, is in attendance as well and it’s as if I am seeing the band again for the first time through his eyes. I am glad he is here for this show, because they play a wide variety of tunes. They open with “Horoscope,” a song I haven’t heard live in a couple months, so naturally this is a pleasure. Of course, you have the other essentials like “700 Parts,” “Nancy Drew,” and “Secrets,” but they also play a batch of numbers I’ve never heard before (“Blue,” “I’ve Got”) as well as somewhat new tunes like “He Comes In Loudly,” the instrumental, “Back to School” and “Going to the Party,” which is like Devo meets Dead Kennedys. At least, I hear those dark, punk influenced surf vibes. At this point, most music fans can point to the Fat Creeps and say it sounds like 90s or surf rock or garage or lazy rock (whatever that means), their style has some easily identifiable features, but their actual songs expand far beyond any specific sound. In other words, they have created their own original brand of rock ‘n’ roll, so much so that when people ask me what they sound like, I just want to say they sound like the Fat Creeps, because I could conjure up more obscure references, but I feel like it just trivializes their distinct personality.
Set-List “Horoscope”
“Blue”
“He Comes In Loudly”
“Nancy Drew”
“700 Parts”
“Fooled”
“Secrets”
“Going To Party”
“Dadweed”
“Daydreaming”
“I’ve Got”
“Back 2 School”
Act II: Miniboone– This is my first time seeing these New Yorkers, I’ve actually never heard of them, but one of the members of the band Earthquake Party! (a kickass band I recommend y’all check out) informs me right before the band plays that they sound like a mix between Talkng Heads, Queen, and Bruce Springstreen. Sounds wild enough, I’ll take it. I can definitely hear arena rock and fast, power pop influences in their perfomance tonight, physically and musically. They are an entertaining band, but they do not blow me away either. I feel like they have the musical chops and decent songs, but not distinct enough for my ears. Then again, this is the only time I’ve seen them, and I am not too familiar with their music, so who knows? http://miniboone.bandcamp.com/
Act III: Bunny’s A Swine– Western Massachusetts’ Bunny’s A Swine describes themselves as “awk pop slops rock,” not sure what that means, but it sounds better than “indie,” that’s for sure. To me, they sound like Pavement, which I feel like I say a lot, but that’s what I hear. That makes sense, Pavement is kind of awkward, but poppy and a bit sloppy. I don’t necessarily see the sloppiness in this band, they seem to have their shit together. The band speaks of party hardy times with headliners, Pile, maybe that explains why they have songs like “Pour It Out At Parties” and “Nobody Wants You Here (Sober).” Check em’ out at their bandcamp here: http://bunnysaswine.bandcamp.com/
I’d say this is Mikal Cronin at his poppiest and that feels a little funny given how catchy his debut album was. But yeah, this is almost a King of the Beach style tune – cleaner and heavier than a lot of Mikal’s category.
The Old Haunts from Olympia had some nice releases in their day – sounding at the best of times like their contemporary (and similar artist if you’ve been hitting up Pandora) Jay Reatard. Very straight-forward and hooky all throughout. Take a listen, if you haven’t heard this tune.
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 