If anyone remembers, or even still checks this blog, I have a bone to pick with Turnover/Title Fight/Superheaven, or more so the lazy writers who can't be bothered to actually listen to a genre before throwing every single god damn band under the sun into it. Thus, I wrote a beginner's guide to shoegaze so that you would not have to miss out on true, beautiful shoegaze due to the short-shortsightedness of some other writers (which you can find here). Now, in order to completely cement those ideas into your head, I present you my beginner's shoegaze playlist, so you can begin soaking your ears in reverb THE WAY GOD INTENDED.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
The Armed
From: Detroit, Michigan
Genre: Hardcore, Punk Rock
For Fans Of: Some ultimately pissed off music that retains a certain undeniable catchieness and groove.
My first exposure to The Armed was simple. Kurt Ballou, the guitar player for Converge and recording mastermind at God City, shared their new video for their song "Paradise Day" off their new album, Untitled. Being the massive Converge fan I am with the massive respect for Kurt Ballou I had, I decided to check out the music video, and boy was I ever pleasantly surprised. "Paradise Day" hit like a semi truck right out of the gate, but more in the way of one that kept running you over, never giving you time to catch your breath in between each repetition. Oddly enough as well, it had an immediate ear worm chorus, causing me to sing "ALLLL ON MY OWN, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY" repeatedly through out the course of my day. Needless to say, I was not only impressed by my first taste of The Armed, but completely in love.
Luckily, the LP that "Paradise Day" came off, managed to retain the raw amount of energy and passion, as well as strange knack for melody, that "Paradise Day" originally showed. From the very beginning of Untitled, straight through the end, The Armed pour out their souls into one of the most beautifully pissed off, spine shivering records I've heard in a long time. However, The Armed never allow their pure and utter rage distract them from the fact that melody needs to be heard and appreciated. This is one of the first hardcore records in a long time that I have heard in a long time and have been able to sing along to on only the second or third time through. Songs like "Forever Scum" and "Paradise Day" (which, honestly, is my new ring tone), show The Armed's unique ability to craft a chorus with strong melodic tendencies in a scene currently over obsessed with "how low can we tune and how stupid heavy can our breakdowns be?".
What's also interesting is to me is that The Armed do not list themselves as a hardcore band anywhere, but rather, simply just as a punk rock band. Perhaps this mindset is what allows them to avoid breakdown worship and set themselves apart from their peers. However, I like to think they list themselves as a punk band due to the common saying "Never trust a hardcore kid who didn't listen to punk first". (This paragraph was entirely to try and squeeze in that joke).
Anyways, if isn't readily apparent, I really, really enjoy The Armed, and think that most of you will too. Besides, it can't possibly hurt to check them out, especially since their discography is free on bandcamp. Seriously one of my favorite bands in awhile.
Free Tunes: https://thearmed.bandcamp.com/album/untitled
Genre: Hardcore, Punk Rock
For Fans Of: Some ultimately pissed off music that retains a certain undeniable catchieness and groove.
Luckily, the LP that "Paradise Day" came off, managed to retain the raw amount of energy and passion, as well as strange knack for melody, that "Paradise Day" originally showed. From the very beginning of Untitled, straight through the end, The Armed pour out their souls into one of the most beautifully pissed off, spine shivering records I've heard in a long time. However, The Armed never allow their pure and utter rage distract them from the fact that melody needs to be heard and appreciated. This is one of the first hardcore records in a long time that I have heard in a long time and have been able to sing along to on only the second or third time through. Songs like "Forever Scum" and "Paradise Day" (which, honestly, is my new ring tone), show The Armed's unique ability to craft a chorus with strong melodic tendencies in a scene currently over obsessed with "how low can we tune and how stupid heavy can our breakdowns be?".
What's also interesting is to me is that The Armed do not list themselves as a hardcore band anywhere, but rather, simply just as a punk rock band. Perhaps this mindset is what allows them to avoid breakdown worship and set themselves apart from their peers. However, I like to think they list themselves as a punk band due to the common saying "Never trust a hardcore kid who didn't listen to punk first". (This paragraph was entirely to try and squeeze in that joke).
Anyways, if isn't readily apparent, I really, really enjoy The Armed, and think that most of you will too. Besides, it can't possibly hurt to check them out, especially since their discography is free on bandcamp. Seriously one of my favorite bands in awhile.
Free Tunes: https://thearmed.bandcamp.com/album/untitled
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Death to false Gaze: A New Fan's Guide to Shoegaze.
Ah, shoegaze. Arguably one of the best genres ever, and infinitely full of talented bands. Bands who create luscious soundscapes with through the use of guitar effect pedals and dreamy vocals, enveloping the listener in walls of dreamy, blissful noise. Yes, there truly is almost no genre as wonderful as shoegaze, and it more than deserves the recent wave of interest it has sparked, but it is important to remember what is truly actual shoegaze, and what is merely hipster trash latching themselves onto the genre name because it seems like a good tag for their bandcamp. And so, we begin our journey to true shoegaze enlightenment and knowledge. The first step of this journey is to get some common questions out of the way now, and clear up some misconceptions.
Common Misconceptions about Shoegaze:
1.) Shoegaze, is, in fact, an actual genre. It refers to an often dreamy type of post punk heavily drenched in reverb and often relying on synths and whisper-y vocals, pioneered by such bands as The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, and Moose.
2.) No, Superheaven is not shoegaze. For whatever reason, people seem to like calling them a shoegaze band, however, they are not a shoegaze band. They are pretty rad though, and should be appreciated.
3.) No, Title Fight is not shoegaze. I get it, Hyperview relied heavily on effects. I even liked the album a decent mount, and believe it is a great jumping off point for people unfamiliar with shoegaze. However, it is not a true shoegaze album, and should not be called one, no matter how much the kid in the floral print shirt who listened to Soulvalki once insists it is.
4.) No, Turnover is not shoegaze. I highly recommend staying away from that album as well, as it essentially sounds like Turnover found a chorus pedal for the first time and was really, REALLY excited about it. I also find it interesting that as soon as Title Fight released Hyperview and people started talking about shoegaze again, Turnover conveniently switches their sound to try and match. However, they did a very poor job, and can never hid the fact that they were a pop punk band or the fact that they put out a split with Citizen, no matter how much reverb they drench their crappy song writing in.
Shoegaze: 10 Classics/Essentials of the genre
Now that I have answered some basic shoegaze questions and given a brief background knowledge, it is time to start you on your journey through the musical realm that is shoegaze with these classic albums, ranked in order of importance/need to listen to.
1.) My Bloody Valentine- Loveless (1991)
Ask any good shoegaze fan and they will tell you, Loveless is THE definitive shoegaze album and all around masterpiece. The album transcends normal musical boundaries and limits, transporting the listener to a world of beautiful reverb and noise. Kevin Shields guitar playing and songwriting is unlike any other, and is instantly recognizeable and unique. It is hard not to be taken to a higher plane of being while listening to this album. It is also by far the most important of the three "holy trinity" shoegaze albums.
2.) Slowdive- Souvlaki (1993)
This is the second most important of the "holy trinity" albums, and arguably the more influential on the general outcome of shoegaze as a genre. While Loveless is undoubtebly the essential shoegaze album and the true magnum opus of the genre, Souvlaki arguably had a far larger influence on the total outcome of the genre. Slowdive provided a much less chaotic sound than MBV, instantly more accessible, and far easier to imitate.
3.) Ride- Nowhere (1990)
This album is the final of the "holy trinity" and, similair to Souvlaki, offers a much more accessible listen. Ride always had heavy doses of power pop influence in their sound, often leading to jokes about their shoegaze credibility, but were undeniably one of the best shoegaze bands. Every track on Nowhere is rich with texture and warm, enveloping layers of noise that sooth the listener and create rich soundscapes.
4.) The Jesus and Mary Chain- Psychocandy (1985)
With Psychocandy, TJAMC truly began the shoegaze revolution. Everything was cranked up to its max volume, and all limits were pushed on this album. Before Psychocandy, it was almost unheard of to use the disgusting amount of reverb that TJAMC did, but they did it anyways, and thank god they did. Psychocandy was a complete game changer, and an absolutely essential listen in order to fully under shoegaze as a genre.
5.) Chapterhouse- Whirpool (1991)
Whirpool holds a truly special place in my heart. Unlike the much darker, moodier tones of many other shoegaze albums, Chapterhouse presents a much bouncier, light weight version of shoegaze, more accurately recalling shoegaze's dream pop roots instead of its post punk roots. Not to mention that some of the songs have straight up dance-y elements, allowing you to truly groove to this album, something that is practically unheard of with other shoegaze albums.
6.) Lush- Spooky (1992)
Lush, like Ride, had a slight love for power pop that was ever present in their sound. More importantly, however, was their love for dream pop, which helped to give their dark, brooding songs a little bit of sweetness. Lush is by far one of my favorite shoegaze acts, and is a must for anyone who currently enjoys bands such as Best Coast, Camera Shy, or Whirr.
7.) Swervediver- Mezcal Head (1992)
Don't be fooled, while the album cover may appear like it belongs to a god awful 90's pop punk act such as Blink 182, it actually covers an alt rock heavy shoegaze masterpiece. Swervediver was decidedly different from their peers, favoring a bit more solid alt rock elements akin to Smashing Pumpkins or Sonic Youth over the full on blissed out route. While Swervediver may have never whisper-sung their vocals, or even turned the reverb all the way up, Mezcal Head is still an essential shoegaze listen for any fan of the genre.
8.) Catherine Wheel- Ferment (1992)
If Swervediver and Slowdive had a love child, the result would be Catherine Wheel. They were more drawn to the Slowdive, all-blissed-out style of shoegaze then Swervediver was, but also had an undoubted ability to create solid, alt rock styled riffs to help draw the listener in. And, fun facts about this band, the singer is first cousin's with Iron Maiden's own singer Bruce Dickinson. Both bands are also named after 18th century torture devices, so vocal talent and fascination with torture devices clearly runs in the family.
9.) Pale Saints- Mrs. Dolphin (1991)
While the album cover bugs/creeps me out to no end, this is an album that I find myself constantly listening to, and for good reason. Pale Saints has such a charming and unique brand of shoegaze that is strangely magnetic. To my ears, it always appears as if they strip down the soundscapes much more, only relying on thin layers of fuzz instead of heavy ones. This on its own helps to create new, unique textures that draws on shoegaze's post punk influence, as post punk was always a very bare, somewhat minimalist genre.
10.) Cocteau Twins- Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)
Yes, technically a dream pop album, but also an insanely important/influential band for the development of shoegaze. All of the early shoegaze bands worshiped this band, and one of their key members, Robin Guthrie, has produced and mastered numerous, numerous shoegaze albums. Again, although this album isn't "technically" shoegaze, its influence is undeniable, and you're only hurting yourself in the long run by not listening to it and enjoying it like everybody else.
10 Essential "Nugaze" Bands/Albums:
The term "nugaze" often refers to the new wave of punked up shoegaze bands that are injecting the music with a whole new type of energy. While many people have no idea what they are talking about and refer to bands such as Title Fight (No), Turnover (Still laughably bad), The Silversun Pickups (Really alternative press?), and The Deer Hunter (Once again, good job Alt Press) as nugaze bands, they are completely wrong, and should probably not be talking about shoegaze. So instead of those bands, here are 10 essential Nugaze bands/albums to satisfy your new found love for shoegaze.
1.) Nothing- Guilty of Everything (2014)
I'll be honest, before Nothing, I really had no idea shoegaze existed. Then, one fateful day while scrolling through the A389 bandcamp page as I am prone to do, I discovered the incredible Downward Years To Come EP. Nothing takes the dark, moody element of shoegaze to a whole new level, adding a bit of hardcore and punk influence into their sound, giving their music a sort of heaviness completely foreign to shoegaze. They have arguably been one of the most influential bands on the progress and direction of the scene over the past few years, and it really is criminal not to check them out if you enjoy shoegaze.
2.) Whirr- Pipe Dreams (2012)
If you don't know Whirr at this point, I would honestly be amazed. This band is more than a little adept at stirring people up and causing controversy. Like their contemporaries in Nothing, they make heavily punk influenced, dark, moody shoegaze, but have always carried much more of a dream pop edge to their sound. Personally, I prefer their material with the female vocalist, but really just about all of their albums and ep's are fantastic and come highly recommended. It is also notable that their guitar player, Nick Basset, played bass in Deafheaven up until Sunbather, and is in another awesome dream/indie pop band Camera Shy, as well as being the current bass player for Nothing.
3.) No Joy- Wait To Pleasure (2013)
No Joy reminds me of Chapterhouse with a far more punk leaning, and in no way is this a bad thing. Their songs are often catchy, bouncy, and completely hypnotic. Wait To Pleasure is a masterpiece of a shoegaze album and comes highly recommended.
4.) Pinkshinyultrablast- Everything Else Matters (2015)
Right now, Nothing Else Matters is sitting pretty near the top of my AOTY list for 2015. Pinkshinyultrablast won instant favor in 2011 when they emerged from the Ukraine with their dancy, light weight, take on dream pop/shoegaze, and continue to impress with two new songs. If you enjoyed Lush or The Cocteau Twins mentioned above, this EP is an essential listen for you.
5.) Ringo Deathstarr- Colour Trip (2011) - (Note: God's Dream is linked instead. Still a fantastic album.)
Do you wish members of My Bloody Valentine and The Ramones made an album together? Well if that is so, for whatever reason, Ringo Deathstarr is about as close as you'll get to that wish coming through. Unlike Turnover, this band knows how to retain a strong pop punk backbone while layering on the fuzz, creating a completely unique and interesting take on shoegaze. Personally one of my favorite shoegaze bands/albums.
6.) Cheatahs- Cheatahs (2014)
These boys from Britain came roaring into the shoegaze scene last year, contributing a surprisingly throwback heavy shoegaze album that hit all of the right spots. I can't really find words to describe this album, other than absolutely fantastic, but it is definitely worth checking out.
7.) Seasurfer- Dive In (2014)
If you love post-punk and shoegaze, you'll love Seasurfer. Seasurfer are a band from Germany, drawing on many of post-punk's dark and moody elements and blending them with quicker punk tempos as well as mass amounts of shoegaze in order to create one hell of a shoegaze album. From start to finish this album consistently presents itself as a completely unique and interesting take on the genre, demanding repeated listens and a fine attention to detail.
8.) Wildhoney- Sleep Through It (2015)
When I first heard Wildhoney, I was immediately in love. They take everything I love about dream pop, hard coat it with a layer of shoegaze, and present a beautiful, poppy product that immediately embeds itself into your brain. And, in case you were wondering, the band lifting their name from a Beach Boys album absolutely does factor into their sound, as Wildhoney loves to whip out a good surf riff and pop melodies abound through out the album.
9.) Aerofall- Aerofall (2014)
Aerofall is a Russian shoegaze outfit, and boy do they ever impress with their first full length. It takes a much more mellow, less in your face approach to the genre, creating dark soundscapes for the listener to get lost in. Everything about this album is just beautifully done and overall wonderful.
10.) The Cherry Wave- Avalancher (2014)
If you like Nothing, you will not only like, but love this band. Not to say they are ripping off Nothing, in fact they are very far from it. The Cherry Wave presents a noisy, somewhat heavy variation of shoegaze heavily routed in psychedelic rock music. If you want a good album to blast as loud as possible and lose your hearing to, The Cherry Wave is definitely your kind of band.
Common Misconceptions about Shoegaze:
1.) Shoegaze, is, in fact, an actual genre. It refers to an often dreamy type of post punk heavily drenched in reverb and often relying on synths and whisper-y vocals, pioneered by such bands as The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, and Moose.
2.) No, Superheaven is not shoegaze. For whatever reason, people seem to like calling them a shoegaze band, however, they are not a shoegaze band. They are pretty rad though, and should be appreciated.
3.) No, Title Fight is not shoegaze. I get it, Hyperview relied heavily on effects. I even liked the album a decent mount, and believe it is a great jumping off point for people unfamiliar with shoegaze. However, it is not a true shoegaze album, and should not be called one, no matter how much the kid in the floral print shirt who listened to Soulvalki once insists it is.
4.) No, Turnover is not shoegaze. I highly recommend staying away from that album as well, as it essentially sounds like Turnover found a chorus pedal for the first time and was really, REALLY excited about it. I also find it interesting that as soon as Title Fight released Hyperview and people started talking about shoegaze again, Turnover conveniently switches their sound to try and match. However, they did a very poor job, and can never hid the fact that they were a pop punk band or the fact that they put out a split with Citizen, no matter how much reverb they drench their crappy song writing in.
Shoegaze: 10 Classics/Essentials of the genre
Now that I have answered some basic shoegaze questions and given a brief background knowledge, it is time to start you on your journey through the musical realm that is shoegaze with these classic albums, ranked in order of importance/need to listen to.
1.) My Bloody Valentine- Loveless (1991)
Ask any good shoegaze fan and they will tell you, Loveless is THE definitive shoegaze album and all around masterpiece. The album transcends normal musical boundaries and limits, transporting the listener to a world of beautiful reverb and noise. Kevin Shields guitar playing and songwriting is unlike any other, and is instantly recognizeable and unique. It is hard not to be taken to a higher plane of being while listening to this album. It is also by far the most important of the three "holy trinity" shoegaze albums.
2.) Slowdive- Souvlaki (1993)
This is the second most important of the "holy trinity" albums, and arguably the more influential on the general outcome of shoegaze as a genre. While Loveless is undoubtebly the essential shoegaze album and the true magnum opus of the genre, Souvlaki arguably had a far larger influence on the total outcome of the genre. Slowdive provided a much less chaotic sound than MBV, instantly more accessible, and far easier to imitate.
3.) Ride- Nowhere (1990)
This album is the final of the "holy trinity" and, similair to Souvlaki, offers a much more accessible listen. Ride always had heavy doses of power pop influence in their sound, often leading to jokes about their shoegaze credibility, but were undeniably one of the best shoegaze bands. Every track on Nowhere is rich with texture and warm, enveloping layers of noise that sooth the listener and create rich soundscapes.
4.) The Jesus and Mary Chain- Psychocandy (1985)
With Psychocandy, TJAMC truly began the shoegaze revolution. Everything was cranked up to its max volume, and all limits were pushed on this album. Before Psychocandy, it was almost unheard of to use the disgusting amount of reverb that TJAMC did, but they did it anyways, and thank god they did. Psychocandy was a complete game changer, and an absolutely essential listen in order to fully under shoegaze as a genre.
5.) Chapterhouse- Whirpool (1991)
Whirpool holds a truly special place in my heart. Unlike the much darker, moodier tones of many other shoegaze albums, Chapterhouse presents a much bouncier, light weight version of shoegaze, more accurately recalling shoegaze's dream pop roots instead of its post punk roots. Not to mention that some of the songs have straight up dance-y elements, allowing you to truly groove to this album, something that is practically unheard of with other shoegaze albums.
6.) Lush- Spooky (1992)
Lush, like Ride, had a slight love for power pop that was ever present in their sound. More importantly, however, was their love for dream pop, which helped to give their dark, brooding songs a little bit of sweetness. Lush is by far one of my favorite shoegaze acts, and is a must for anyone who currently enjoys bands such as Best Coast, Camera Shy, or Whirr.
7.) Swervediver- Mezcal Head (1992)
Don't be fooled, while the album cover may appear like it belongs to a god awful 90's pop punk act such as Blink 182, it actually covers an alt rock heavy shoegaze masterpiece. Swervediver was decidedly different from their peers, favoring a bit more solid alt rock elements akin to Smashing Pumpkins or Sonic Youth over the full on blissed out route. While Swervediver may have never whisper-sung their vocals, or even turned the reverb all the way up, Mezcal Head is still an essential shoegaze listen for any fan of the genre.
8.) Catherine Wheel- Ferment (1992)
If Swervediver and Slowdive had a love child, the result would be Catherine Wheel. They were more drawn to the Slowdive, all-blissed-out style of shoegaze then Swervediver was, but also had an undoubted ability to create solid, alt rock styled riffs to help draw the listener in. And, fun facts about this band, the singer is first cousin's with Iron Maiden's own singer Bruce Dickinson. Both bands are also named after 18th century torture devices, so vocal talent and fascination with torture devices clearly runs in the family.
9.) Pale Saints- Mrs. Dolphin (1991)
While the album cover bugs/creeps me out to no end, this is an album that I find myself constantly listening to, and for good reason. Pale Saints has such a charming and unique brand of shoegaze that is strangely magnetic. To my ears, it always appears as if they strip down the soundscapes much more, only relying on thin layers of fuzz instead of heavy ones. This on its own helps to create new, unique textures that draws on shoegaze's post punk influence, as post punk was always a very bare, somewhat minimalist genre.
10.) Cocteau Twins- Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)
Yes, technically a dream pop album, but also an insanely important/influential band for the development of shoegaze. All of the early shoegaze bands worshiped this band, and one of their key members, Robin Guthrie, has produced and mastered numerous, numerous shoegaze albums. Again, although this album isn't "technically" shoegaze, its influence is undeniable, and you're only hurting yourself in the long run by not listening to it and enjoying it like everybody else.
10 Essential "Nugaze" Bands/Albums:
The term "nugaze" often refers to the new wave of punked up shoegaze bands that are injecting the music with a whole new type of energy. While many people have no idea what they are talking about and refer to bands such as Title Fight (No), Turnover (Still laughably bad), The Silversun Pickups (Really alternative press?), and The Deer Hunter (Once again, good job Alt Press) as nugaze bands, they are completely wrong, and should probably not be talking about shoegaze. So instead of those bands, here are 10 essential Nugaze bands/albums to satisfy your new found love for shoegaze.
1.) Nothing- Guilty of Everything (2014)
I'll be honest, before Nothing, I really had no idea shoegaze existed. Then, one fateful day while scrolling through the A389 bandcamp page as I am prone to do, I discovered the incredible Downward Years To Come EP. Nothing takes the dark, moody element of shoegaze to a whole new level, adding a bit of hardcore and punk influence into their sound, giving their music a sort of heaviness completely foreign to shoegaze. They have arguably been one of the most influential bands on the progress and direction of the scene over the past few years, and it really is criminal not to check them out if you enjoy shoegaze.
2.) Whirr- Pipe Dreams (2012)
If you don't know Whirr at this point, I would honestly be amazed. This band is more than a little adept at stirring people up and causing controversy. Like their contemporaries in Nothing, they make heavily punk influenced, dark, moody shoegaze, but have always carried much more of a dream pop edge to their sound. Personally, I prefer their material with the female vocalist, but really just about all of their albums and ep's are fantastic and come highly recommended. It is also notable that their guitar player, Nick Basset, played bass in Deafheaven up until Sunbather, and is in another awesome dream/indie pop band Camera Shy, as well as being the current bass player for Nothing.
3.) No Joy- Wait To Pleasure (2013)
No Joy reminds me of Chapterhouse with a far more punk leaning, and in no way is this a bad thing. Their songs are often catchy, bouncy, and completely hypnotic. Wait To Pleasure is a masterpiece of a shoegaze album and comes highly recommended.
4.) Pinkshinyultrablast- Everything Else Matters (2015)
Right now, Nothing Else Matters is sitting pretty near the top of my AOTY list for 2015. Pinkshinyultrablast won instant favor in 2011 when they emerged from the Ukraine with their dancy, light weight, take on dream pop/shoegaze, and continue to impress with two new songs. If you enjoyed Lush or The Cocteau Twins mentioned above, this EP is an essential listen for you.
5.) Ringo Deathstarr- Colour Trip (2011) - (Note: God's Dream is linked instead. Still a fantastic album.)
Do you wish members of My Bloody Valentine and The Ramones made an album together? Well if that is so, for whatever reason, Ringo Deathstarr is about as close as you'll get to that wish coming through. Unlike Turnover, this band knows how to retain a strong pop punk backbone while layering on the fuzz, creating a completely unique and interesting take on shoegaze. Personally one of my favorite shoegaze bands/albums.
6.) Cheatahs- Cheatahs (2014)
These boys from Britain came roaring into the shoegaze scene last year, contributing a surprisingly throwback heavy shoegaze album that hit all of the right spots. I can't really find words to describe this album, other than absolutely fantastic, but it is definitely worth checking out.
7.) Seasurfer- Dive In (2014)
If you love post-punk and shoegaze, you'll love Seasurfer. Seasurfer are a band from Germany, drawing on many of post-punk's dark and moody elements and blending them with quicker punk tempos as well as mass amounts of shoegaze in order to create one hell of a shoegaze album. From start to finish this album consistently presents itself as a completely unique and interesting take on the genre, demanding repeated listens and a fine attention to detail.
8.) Wildhoney- Sleep Through It (2015)
When I first heard Wildhoney, I was immediately in love. They take everything I love about dream pop, hard coat it with a layer of shoegaze, and present a beautiful, poppy product that immediately embeds itself into your brain. And, in case you were wondering, the band lifting their name from a Beach Boys album absolutely does factor into their sound, as Wildhoney loves to whip out a good surf riff and pop melodies abound through out the album.
9.) Aerofall- Aerofall (2014)
Aerofall is a Russian shoegaze outfit, and boy do they ever impress with their first full length. It takes a much more mellow, less in your face approach to the genre, creating dark soundscapes for the listener to get lost in. Everything about this album is just beautifully done and overall wonderful.
10.) The Cherry Wave- Avalancher (2014)
If you like Nothing, you will not only like, but love this band. Not to say they are ripping off Nothing, in fact they are very far from it. The Cherry Wave presents a noisy, somewhat heavy variation of shoegaze heavily routed in psychedelic rock music. If you want a good album to blast as loud as possible and lose your hearing to, The Cherry Wave is definitely your kind of band.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Ice Hockey
From: USA
Genre: Emoviolence, Screamo, Skramz
For Fans Of: Joshua Fit For Battle, Orchid, Neil Perry
If I had to take a wild guess, I'd say that these guys spent a significant amount of time listening to the "Brothers from other mothers" Joshua Fit For Battle/Neil Perry split. Now, in no way is this a bad thing. Ice Hockey is everything an emoviolence band should be. Raw, passionate, in your face. These songs don't just make you sad, they pummel you into submission until you're forced into being sad. And the songs don't just get violent and sad either. Like their forefathers, Ice Hockey acknowledges that what sets emoviolence so far above the rest of hardcore subgenres is the fact that it knows how to mellow out a bit in the midst of all the chaos. The band doesn't just wildly flail through their songs, but also slows down and gives the melody some room to breather, allowing each song to take on a much more distinct and unique sound. A lot of bands playing in extreme music genres forget that each song actually needs to be recognizable on some level as its own song. Ice Hockey doesn't simply painstakingly push through blasts of emoviolence, but instead allows them to grow and flourish.
Tunes: https://icehockey.bandcamp.com/album/wavefunction-collapse
Genre: Emoviolence, Screamo, Skramz
For Fans Of: Joshua Fit For Battle, Orchid, Neil Perry
Tunes: https://icehockey.bandcamp.com/album/wavefunction-collapse
Phargo
From: Morgan City, Louisiana
Genre: Emo, Indie, Noise Rock
For Fans Of: Snowing, Nai Harvest, You Blew It!
If there is one thing I have begun to learn about my own tastes, it is that I have a hard time finding many twinkly emo bands I thoroughly enjoy. I find that the style of the genre often gets far too rooted in repetition or show off-y-ness, problems I believe it shares with technical death metal. While I may dislike twinkly emo for the most part I do, however, thoroughly enjoy emo that pushes the boundaries of what the genre is allowed to be. For this exact reason I admire bands like Nai Harvest and You Blew It! who push the envelope a bit, adding their unique twists to the genre, and now, by extension, enjoy Phargo.
While nothing Phargo does is truly groundbreaking, it is at the same time significantly more interesting than many of the bands who rev up their jazz masters and twinkle away while looking sad on stage. Phargo forgoes this route completely, instead opting to layer their sadness under a layer of fuzz, adding a slight noise rock element to their sound. This makes all the difference as they progress through several track of slow to mid tempo sad tunes, making you feel like you belong in some indie movie about an awkward teenager who has problems talking to the opposite sex. Yes, this is truly music that would fit aptly in the earphones of almost any character played by Michael Cera (minus maybe "This Is The End", where we all saw his true colors), and that is not meant as an insult. If you're looking for your next album to dramatically stare at your feet or look out a passenger side car window to, look no further, because Phargo has got you covered.
Free Tunes: https://phargo.bandcamp.com/
Genre: Emo, Indie, Noise Rock
For Fans Of: Snowing, Nai Harvest, You Blew It!
While nothing Phargo does is truly groundbreaking, it is at the same time significantly more interesting than many of the bands who rev up their jazz masters and twinkle away while looking sad on stage. Phargo forgoes this route completely, instead opting to layer their sadness under a layer of fuzz, adding a slight noise rock element to their sound. This makes all the difference as they progress through several track of slow to mid tempo sad tunes, making you feel like you belong in some indie movie about an awkward teenager who has problems talking to the opposite sex. Yes, this is truly music that would fit aptly in the earphones of almost any character played by Michael Cera (minus maybe "This Is The End", where we all saw his true colors), and that is not meant as an insult. If you're looking for your next album to dramatically stare at your feet or look out a passenger side car window to, look no further, because Phargo has got you covered.
Free Tunes: https://phargo.bandcamp.com/
Monday, June 1, 2015
Where is my Spaceship
From: Hackensack, New Jersey
Genre: Folk Punk, Punk, Power Pop
For Fans Of: Andrew Jackson Jihad, Not Half Bad, Rozwell Kid
Recently, I have become disenfranchised with folk punk. Every time I listen to it, it seems like every band wants to exactly fit the Planet-X roster, be as close to Andrew Jackson Jihad as possible, or want to sound like Days n' Daze. Luckily for me, and everybody else, Where is my Spaceship falls into none of those categories, instead spiking their folk punk with plenty of pure punk attitude, a little bit of ambiance, and some power pop level hooks.
While their unique take on folk punk may set them apart, do not dismiss them simply because they are not your traditional folk punk band. The band still shows significant fondness for folk punk trademarks, such as a dry, cynical sense of humor, with lines like "I'm gonna sleep next to a can of open paint" on songs like Snake Juice Anthem. That also what helps to make Where Is My Spaceship such an enjoyable listen, there is instantly a feeling of familiarity and some common characteristics of a folk punk band, but they also add enough of their own flare to separate them and to prevent them from being completely pigeon holed into folk punk singularly. If you dig tasty jams you can sing along to, Where Is My Spaceship comes highly recommended.
Free Tunes: https://whereismyspaceship.bandcamp.com/
Genre: Folk Punk, Punk, Power Pop
For Fans Of: Andrew Jackson Jihad, Not Half Bad, Rozwell Kid
While their unique take on folk punk may set them apart, do not dismiss them simply because they are not your traditional folk punk band. The band still shows significant fondness for folk punk trademarks, such as a dry, cynical sense of humor, with lines like "I'm gonna sleep next to a can of open paint" on songs like Snake Juice Anthem. That also what helps to make Where Is My Spaceship such an enjoyable listen, there is instantly a feeling of familiarity and some common characteristics of a folk punk band, but they also add enough of their own flare to separate them and to prevent them from being completely pigeon holed into folk punk singularly. If you dig tasty jams you can sing along to, Where Is My Spaceship comes highly recommended.
Free Tunes: https://whereismyspaceship.bandcamp.com/
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Archipiélagos
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Genre: Emo, Math Rock, Instrumental
For Fans Of: American Football, Sharks Keep Moving, The Mercury Program
I know what you're thinking, "How can an instrumental band ever be tr00 emo? Without those puberty ridden, voice cracking, whiny vocals, how can I get sad to this?!?!" Well, rest assured, because Archipiélagos prove that you can convey emotion as powerfully only using instruments just as well as a vocalist can. And oh boy, do they ever pull it off. Each track makes me want to ride a bike or take a long drive on one of those movie-esque windy, sunny days and stare dramatically at things, rethinking every life decision I've ever made. I'm positive that movie would be a sad movie, or at least one of those weird happy-sad indie movies that causes you to wonder whether you're supposed to smile or cry. Basically, tangent aside, this record is really, really good at what it sets out to do. The lack of lyrics actually works better for me on some emotional level due to the fact that it leaves a lot of the emotion generated up to listener interpretation, making this a record that everybody should be able to connect with in one way or another. I was also blown away by Archipiélagos's ability to transition from more crowded, math rock oriented sections, to much more cut back, minimalist sections akin to American Football (There's even some horn on track 2!). Overall this record is one small emotional trip for those who wish to avoid lyrics and just vibe with the music a bit.
Free Tunes: https://archipielagos.bandcamp.com/
Genre: Emo, Math Rock, Instrumental
For Fans Of: American Football, Sharks Keep Moving, The Mercury Program
Free Tunes: https://archipielagos.bandcamp.com/
Friday, May 1, 2015
Remo Drive
From: Minnesota
Genre: Emo, Alternative, Post Punk
For Fans Of: Balance and Composure (they just remind me of them a bit, I don't know why), I can't really think of anything else, they're pretty unique.
Are you ready to get sad? If your answer is yes, then good, because with Remo Drive, it's time to get sad. Placing these guys, as mentioned above, is difficult for me (which I mean in the best way possible). They obviously have sort of an emo backbone, but fail to fully meet the standard of what I think of when I think of emo bands. Instead they mix some very loud to soft post punk/post hardcore-ish type sections, and even have a few sections of songs that sound they like belong on a Matador Records release. Now is any of this a bad thing? Absolutely not. This unique blend of styles shows that Remo Drive is a band that refuses to be pinned down and is more than happy to explore their influences a little bit and move a bit out of their comfort zone, and that totally rules. I've stated before that for me, I personally get sick of the millions of bands within emo nowadays who seem to just want to be as close to Algernon Cadwallader as possible. That's why Remo Drive's willingness to transcend genre boundaries and really explore multiple genres is so refreshing. I definitely believe these guys are a band that everyone should be following closely, Also what the hell is what up with Lost State records? Those guys have just been knocking it out of the park with their releases. Seriously an absolutely killer label at this point that I can really trust to put out solid releases. Final thing, but I feel like an Oddities/Remo Drive split would be insanely awesome, but that's just me. Anyways, after all the rambling, just check these guys out. You'll love it.
Free(!!!!) Tunes: https://remodrive.bandcamp.com/
Genre: Emo, Alternative, Post Punk
For Fans Of: Balance and Composure (they just remind me of them a bit, I don't know why), I can't really think of anything else, they're pretty unique.
Free(!!!!) Tunes: https://remodrive.bandcamp.com/
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Not Half Bad
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Genre: Folk Punk, Punk, Orgcore
For Fans Of: Andrew Jackson Jihad (Knife Man type stuff), Against Me!, O! Pioneers!!!
Ah, how refreshing. A folk punk band who doesn't want to just rip off Andrew Jackson Jihad or Days n' Daze. It soothes me in a way that I can't quite explain to hear a vocalist that isn't trying to do that weird nasal screech thing Days N' Daze does (no offense love that band) or simply try as hard as possible to sound like Sean Bonnette of Andrew Jackson Jihad. Maybe, though, that is because, while this band does carry many "folk punk" qualities, they're for the most part a folk punk band. Instead of the folk punk goal of sounding exactly like Ramshackle Glory and calling it a day, Not Half Bad is significantly more driven by the punk stylings of "orgcore" bands such as Hot Water Music and O!!! Pioneers!!!. This isn't at all a bad thing, however. It definitely separates them from the millions of other bands playing folk punk now, while their large folk punk influence separates them from all the bands trying to play orgcore. Not Half Bad truly exists in some beautiful middle ground between two genres where I increasingly find many bands to stomach, and in doing so, really present some totally banging punk tunes. If you want to sing along and be pretty out of time while doing it, but be ok with it, Not Half Bad is probably the band for you. (Side Note: I still listen to their song "Punk rock is a full time job" pretty much daily. Check it out.)
Free Tunes: https://nothalfbad.bandcamp.com/album/sorry-dudes-ep
Genre: Folk Punk, Punk, Orgcore
For Fans Of: Andrew Jackson Jihad (Knife Man type stuff), Against Me!, O! Pioneers!!!
Free Tunes: https://nothalfbad.bandcamp.com/album/sorry-dudes-ep
Beds
From: Sterling, Virginia
Genre: Emo, Twinkle
For Fans Of: Texas is the Reason, Algernon Cadwallader, Snowing
Let me start by saying that I do enjoy a significant amount of emo, and twinkly emo a very large amount. However, like many bands in many genres, a lot of bands within the "twinkly emo" style of emo fall into a rut where they don't strike their own path, but rather, follow the formula of other bands that are already successful within the style. Essentially, far too many of the bands get lost in a crowd of other bands that sound exactly like Snowing. Luckily, Beds is not one of those bands, and consistently delivers some grade A, top notch emo. This band understands that their guitar parts have to be damn noodly, but also carry a level of melody that retains the listeners attention and makes the songs instantly memorable and a bit more connectable, as the emotion isn't hidden behind layers of "Oh look what I can do" noodle-ieness. This is where Beds is similar to bands that helped to sort of pioneer and expand the style, such as Snowing and Algernon Cadwallader, as they never get too caught up in being a "twinkle" band. If you're looking for some mega rad emo to get sad to, don't look much farther than Beds, as they're your guys.
(P.S. They just put out a super rad split with Flowers Taped to Pens/Bread Club/Skull kid, a few of my other favorite bands going right now.)
Michael Jordan EP: https://bedz.bandcamp.com/album/michael-jordan-ep
Flowers Taped to Pens/Bread Club/Skull Kid split: h
ttps://bedz.bandcamp.com/album/7-split-w-flowers-taped-to-pens-skull-kid-and-bread-club
Genre: Emo, Twinkle
For Fans Of: Texas is the Reason, Algernon Cadwallader, Snowing
Let me start by saying that I do enjoy a significant amount of emo, and twinkly emo a very large amount. However, like many bands in many genres, a lot of bands within the "twinkly emo" style of emo fall into a rut where they don't strike their own path, but rather, follow the formula of other bands that are already successful within the style. Essentially, far too many of the bands get lost in a crowd of other bands that sound exactly like Snowing. Luckily, Beds is not one of those bands, and consistently delivers some grade A, top notch emo. This band understands that their guitar parts have to be damn noodly, but also carry a level of melody that retains the listeners attention and makes the songs instantly memorable and a bit more connectable, as the emotion isn't hidden behind layers of "Oh look what I can do" noodle-ieness. This is where Beds is similar to bands that helped to sort of pioneer and expand the style, such as Snowing and Algernon Cadwallader, as they never get too caught up in being a "twinkle" band. If you're looking for some mega rad emo to get sad to, don't look much farther than Beds, as they're your guys.
(P.S. They just put out a super rad split with Flowers Taped to Pens/Bread Club/Skull kid, a few of my other favorite bands going right now.)
Michael Jordan EP: https://bedz.bandcamp.com/album/michael-jordan-ep
Flowers Taped to Pens/Bread Club/Skull Kid split: h
ttps://bedz.bandcamp.com/album/7-split-w-flowers-taped-to-pens-skull-kid-and-bread-club
Grim Luck!
From: San Diego, California
Genre: Ska Punk, Roma-Jazz punk
For Fans Of: Gogol Bordello, The Arrogant Sons of Bitches, Butcher Knives
First of all, before you begin to get your hopes up after hearing this totally amazing, mind numbingly energetic, fun, and all around fantastic band, it does NOT seem if they have any plans to tour extensively outside of California or record new material at this time. Now let me explain why that is the biggest bummer in the entire world and why it's such a tragedy. Grim Luck! doesn't just provide some enjoyable ska punk. They provide ska punk that is so distinctly it's hard to think of a truly fair comparison for them. They borrow from a vast multitude of genres, including, but not limited to Roma "gypsy" jazz (many people within the "gypsy" culture consider the word to be a slur), hardcore, and ska punk to create one totally massive pummeling sound. Every song is a flurry of horns, pounding drums, and vocals that beg to be shouted along to. The energy never truly drops with Grim Luck! and it's just infectious. These songs make you want to dance, punch the air, and sing along. I challenge anyone to try and find at least one song on this release, or any of their releases, that they don't absolutely fall in love with. Oh yeah, and they have a song about the Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, "Going to Candied Island!!". I also love their use of exclamation points.
Free Tunes: https://grimluck.bandcamp.com/album/alexandra-volume-2-the-dread
Genre: Ska Punk, Roma-Jazz punk
For Fans Of: Gogol Bordello, The Arrogant Sons of Bitches, Butcher Knives
Free Tunes: https://grimluck.bandcamp.com/album/alexandra-volume-2-the-dread
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Kill Lincoln (RIP RIP RIP)
From: Moshington, D.C.
Genre: Ska Punk, Pop punk, Joy for ska kids everywhere.
For Fans Of: Survay Says!, Less than Jake, I voted for Kodos, Skacore
Oh, how bittersweet this post is. On one hand, it is important, and necessary, to celebrate one of the greatest young ska bands of our generation, but, on the other hand, it is cruel that they would go on hiatus after such a stellar ep. But alas, that is how life is, and it is better to have loved and lost Kill Lincoln then to have never had Kill Lincoln at all. I first had the good fortune of stumbling upon Kill Lincoln while looking into attending a Big D and the kids table show, where they were opening. Naturally, as I do with all openers, I looked for a bandcamp and jammed out a bit. Upon first fatefully clicking on one song (that song was "Dad fight" due to the amazing title), I was blown away. The band showed a mastery over hardcore that surprised me since I was supposed to be listening to a ska punk band. Upon listening to the rest of the album (the album is "That's cool....in a totally negative and destructive way", by the way), however, I was pleasantly surprised by a band who carried the pop punk/ska blend of Less than Jake, but with much more of a hardcore punk undertone. This was skacore that wasn't about trying to sound as much like Leftover Crack as possible, but
instead forging a sound all their own and powering through with it. With this most recent ep, Kill Lincoln continues on with that sound, plowing through catchy ska/pop punk tunes on songs like "8$ Beer Night" and "Good Riddance to Good Advice" while keeping their hardcore energy on songs "I'm getting too old for this shit". Overall, this is yet another truly stellar release from a ska punk band gone much too soon. Hopefully this break really is just a hiatus, and Kill Lincoln will be back in the future with more songs that I can bob my head and sing along to while getting awkward looks in public. I will miss this band dearly, and highly recommend that anyone who hasn't listened to them yet stops screwing around and gets on it so that they can share in my time of pain/mourning. Also I heard something about a split with the Best of the Worst and Still Alive awhile ago, but haven't seen anything about it in awhile. I really need that split guys, please, for me. And finally, fuck you Alan.
Tunes (Ranked in order of my favorite release by them):
1.) That's Cool...In a Totally Negative and Destructive Way
https://killlincolndc.bandcamp.com/album/thats-cool-in-a-totally-negative-and-destructive-way
2.) Good Riddance to Good Advice
https://killlincolndc.bandcamp.com/album/good-riddance-to-good-advice
3.) You Were There
https://killlincolndc.bandcamp.com/album/you-were-there
Genre: Ska Punk, Pop punk, Joy for ska kids everywhere.
For Fans Of: Survay Says!, Less than Jake, I voted for Kodos, Skacore
Oh, how bittersweet this post is. On one hand, it is important, and necessary, to celebrate one of the greatest young ska bands of our generation, but, on the other hand, it is cruel that they would go on hiatus after such a stellar ep. But alas, that is how life is, and it is better to have loved and lost Kill Lincoln then to have never had Kill Lincoln at all. I first had the good fortune of stumbling upon Kill Lincoln while looking into attending a Big D and the kids table show, where they were opening. Naturally, as I do with all openers, I looked for a bandcamp and jammed out a bit. Upon first fatefully clicking on one song (that song was "Dad fight" due to the amazing title), I was blown away. The band showed a mastery over hardcore that surprised me since I was supposed to be listening to a ska punk band. Upon listening to the rest of the album (the album is "That's cool....in a totally negative and destructive way", by the way), however, I was pleasantly surprised by a band who carried the pop punk/ska blend of Less than Jake, but with much more of a hardcore punk undertone. This was skacore that wasn't about trying to sound as much like Leftover Crack as possible, but
instead forging a sound all their own and powering through with it. With this most recent ep, Kill Lincoln continues on with that sound, plowing through catchy ska/pop punk tunes on songs like "8$ Beer Night" and "Good Riddance to Good Advice" while keeping their hardcore energy on songs "I'm getting too old for this shit". Overall, this is yet another truly stellar release from a ska punk band gone much too soon. Hopefully this break really is just a hiatus, and Kill Lincoln will be back in the future with more songs that I can bob my head and sing along to while getting awkward looks in public. I will miss this band dearly, and highly recommend that anyone who hasn't listened to them yet stops screwing around and gets on it so that they can share in my time of pain/mourning. Also I heard something about a split with the Best of the Worst and Still Alive awhile ago, but haven't seen anything about it in awhile. I really need that split guys, please, for me. And finally, fuck you Alan.
Tunes (Ranked in order of my favorite release by them):
1.) That's Cool...In a Totally Negative and Destructive Way
https://killlincolndc.bandcamp.com/album/thats-cool-in-a-totally-negative-and-destructive-way
2.) Good Riddance to Good Advice
https://killlincolndc.bandcamp.com/album/good-riddance-to-good-advice
3.) You Were There
https://killlincolndc.bandcamp.com/album/you-were-there
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Black Wine
From: New Jersey
Genre: Psych rock, Punk, Indie, Grunge
For Fans Of: Mudhoney, Jesus Lizard, Dinosaur Jr., Pale Angels (just look at that tie in!)
Seeing as I just posted about a Mikey Erg band, I felt that it was only fair to post another band from a different Erg, Jeff Erg (I'd post Joey's band, but Joey is in The Night Birds, and I'm pretty sure everybody knows them at this point). Black Wine is a unique mix of a lot of different styles, with their truly only consistent quality being a little bit of crunch and fuzz on the guitars. They take influence from the grunge and indie movements in the 90's, and kind of flucuate between those two sounds, often blending them. There is definitely a strong underlying pop punk influence similar to Ergs songs where Jeff did vocals instead of Mikey. Personally, I always loved Jeff's vocals and was really stoked hearing him take much larger of a vocal role in this band. You can't really download any of their stuff off of bandcamp for whatever reason, but they're definitely worth a listen. No idea if they're active or inactive at this point, but let's really hope for active. ("Pushing through the foam" is a fantastic song, and the video for it is highly recommended as a starting point for this band).
Tunes: https://blackwine.bandcamp.com/album/summer-of-indifference
Genre: Psych rock, Punk, Indie, Grunge
For Fans Of: Mudhoney, Jesus Lizard, Dinosaur Jr., Pale Angels (just look at that tie in!)
Tunes: https://blackwine.bandcamp.com/album/summer-of-indifference
Pale Angels
From: England/United States
Genre: Noise rock, Noise pop, Psych rock
For Fans Of: Dinosaur Jr., The Deer Hunter, Perfect Pussy
Genre: Noise rock, Noise pop, Psych rock
For Fans Of: Dinosaur Jr., The Deer Hunter, Perfect Pussy
Despite my deep rooted hatred for modern, warped tour-core pop punk, I secretly have a very sincere love for pop punk that is done well and doesn't make me want to shoot myself in the face. This hidden love for pop punk is what lead me to love and obesses over the Ergs, and more importantly, their ever active drummer/front man, Mikey Erg. Almost everyone knows of Mikey Erg, as he plays in just about every god damn band ever, and most, if not all of those bands, absolutely rule. As one of his bands that rule, is Pale Angels, a noise rock band consisting of two members from England, and him from the U.S. The band delivers a punk fueled noise rock/noise pop sound, dousing all the songs in sweet, sweet, thick, layers of fuzz. Every song on this record is an absolute gem, instantly memorable and forcing you to think of such noise rock/indie giants as Dinosaur Jr.. It really is difficult to sum up this album, so just check it out and give it a listen for yourself, and make sure to keep an eye out for their record coming later this year, as this record was criminally underrated when it originally came out. (P.S. if these guys are ever in the states again, go see them. I had the pleasure of seeing them and they're all the best guys and put on one totally deafening/amazing performance).
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Lewd Gesture
From: Seattle, Washington
Genre: Powerviolence
For Fans Of: Spazz, Charles Bronson, Man is the Bastard
You know what I was really sick of? Guitars. God those things suck, always providing notes in a higher register than basses. Seriously, who needs them? Lewd Gesture sure as hell don't, and they seem to be doing just fine without them. This ep provides a blistering 15 minutes of straight drum and bass powerviolence, and doing it in the best way possible, with plenty of blast beats, a little bit of noise to keep the Man is the Bastard school of powerviolence happy, and even some vocals that remind me a lot of MITB. It's good to know that there are still PV bands out there who worship MITB (as it should be) instead of joining the new era of powerviolence that revolves around ripping off Weekend Nachos and Punch's sounds without just changing their band names to Weekend Nachos 2.0. I dig this album/ep/whatever you want to call it a lot, although, in the long run, some longer noise passages and maybe a guitar would help to more fully flesh out their sound a bit.
Free Tunes: https://lewdgesture.bandcamp.com/album/the-self-titled-ep
Genre: Powerviolence
For Fans Of: Spazz, Charles Bronson, Man is the Bastard
Free Tunes: https://lewdgesture.bandcamp.com/album/the-self-titled-ep
Sun Voyager
From: New York
Genre: Psych Rock, Noise rock, fuzzy goodness
For Fans Of: Together Pangea, The Black Lips
Do you like your music fuzzy? Do you like it mellow and obviously under the influence of some weed (or other substances)? Then Sun Voyager is the band for you! From somewhere in New York, these guys provide fuzzy, punky music heavily reminiscent of such bands as Together Pangea and The Black Lips, only with even more fuzz. Don't be fooled, however, as under all that fuzz lie guitar riffs that are laid on thick and bluesy, providing a nice crunch to the sound. This band should be on the radar of every good fan of stoner musics radar, as they will hopefully be around for awhile and keep kicking out the jams while they are.
Tunes:https://sun-voyager.bandcamp.com/album/lazy-daze
Genre: Psych Rock, Noise rock, fuzzy goodness
For Fans Of: Together Pangea, The Black Lips
Tunes:https://sun-voyager.bandcamp.com/album/lazy-daze
ROMP
From: New Brunswick, NJ
Genre: Indie, punk, pop punk
For fans of: Cayentana, The Sidekicks, Jets to Brazil
ROMP plays a genre that I have an extreme weakness for, and that is catchy, jangly, indie pop/punk that will have you singing along at every possible moment. The songs are catchy, easily stuck in your head, and will have you singing along almost immediately, which really should be the end game of any pop influenced band. The great part is, however, that the songs aren't catchy in the annoying, repetitive way, but rather the kind of catchy that happens when you hear a lyric that makes you think "wow this is relevant to me, I'm going to remember to this", and you do, and then you belt it out in your room/car/wherever you are listening to it, causing odd looks while people try to figure out what's wrong with you. I definitely wouldn't sleep on this bands, as doing so will result in your life being sad and empty without these total jam worthy songs.
Free Tunes: https://rompistight.bandcamp.com/
Genre: Indie, punk, pop punk
For fans of: Cayentana, The Sidekicks, Jets to Brazil
ROMP plays a genre that I have an extreme weakness for, and that is catchy, jangly, indie pop/punk that will have you singing along at every possible moment. The songs are catchy, easily stuck in your head, and will have you singing along almost immediately, which really should be the end game of any pop influenced band. The great part is, however, that the songs aren't catchy in the annoying, repetitive way, but rather the kind of catchy that happens when you hear a lyric that makes you think "wow this is relevant to me, I'm going to remember to this", and you do, and then you belt it out in your room/car/wherever you are listening to it, causing odd looks while people try to figure out what's wrong with you. I definitely wouldn't sleep on this bands, as doing so will result in your life being sad and empty without these total jam worthy songs.
Free Tunes: https://rompistight.bandcamp.com/
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Funeralbloom
Genre: Blackgaze, Post Black Metal
For Fans Of: Deafheaven, Wolves in the Throne Room, An Autumn for Crippled Children
Formerly The Measure Of, Funeralbloom seems to have fully come into their sound more comfortably and more distinctly after the name change. Previously, while still making some fantastic blackgaze, they had a much stronger screamo influence, and some of their songs felt a bit more disconnected. Essentially, the parts were all there but it was hard adding them up to make a coherent whole. However, that changed along with the name. As Funeralbloom, the band has finally hit the sweet spot, making seamless transition between the black metal sections and much more shoegaze-y, ambient sections. Overall, everything about their release as Funeralbloom just feels much more natural and comfortable, creating a far more enjoyable listening experience and showing just how good blackgaze can be when the style is done correctly. As well as highly recommending you check out their fantastic music, it's also recommended you check out their often hilarious facebook page. It's sort of nice to see a band playing this style of music not being "brooding" and "mysterious" all the time.
Free Tunes: http://funeralbloom.bandcamp.com/
Sic Bacchus
Genre: Screamo, Post Hardcore
For Fans Of: Raein, Touche Amore, Hot Cross
First of all, RIP Sic Bacchus. While I only got one chance to see them before they broke up, they were easily one of my favorite locals and boy did they put on one hell of a show. This band really loved to explore the full spectrum of post hardcore, borrowing from some of the more melodic acts such as Touche Amore and Hot Cross, as well as some of the raw passion and anger from emoviolence. They also totally stole the entire Jerome's Dream screaming with a mic schtick, but they pulled it off well so it was cool. I seriously love that this band can completely pummel you and then the next have you bobbing your head and humming along. Their diversity is truly their greatest strength, and it never fails to impress me. I highly recommend you check this band out if you like some true sadboi post hardcore/screamo.
Free Tunes: http://sicbacchus.bandcamp.com/album/sic-bacchus
RIP SIC BACCHUS
Towers
Genre: Mathcore/Screamo/Sludge/Post hardcore
For Fans Of: Heavy Heavy Low Low, The Number 12 Looks Like You
Towers plays a variety of genres sort of smashed together, to make some incredibly interesting, and intricate, extreme music that never really feels to disappoint. They display more than enough technical skill and utilize many of the key factors of "mathcore" bands, but at the same time play with the fury of emoviolence, but often at a sludgey, slow speed. The result is a discography that is constantly throwing the listener through a loop and wondering just where the hell a lot of the songs are going. One of my absolute favorite parts about this band is those unnerving, odd parts usually set between where the vocals kick in, that really set the mood for the song to come. They never fail to make you wish the song would just begin, but also force you to wonder if the song will actually build off that repetition or simply evolve in some other completely different way.
Free Tunes: http://towers.bandcamp.com/album/full-circle-cd-lp-cassette
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Oak
Genre: Screamo, Hardcore, Chaotic Hardcore
For Fans Of: Converge, Antioch Arrow, Pg.99
Oak takes some of the most primal, chaotic parts of hardcore and mashes them together in one super lump of insane hardcore. This band reminds me of emoviolence bands in all of the best way possible, as in interesting riffs yet still retaining heavy, crushing riffs that make your brain want to implode. The bland charges through song after song, ripping apart any dead space and making sure there is absolutely no room to breathe. When breakdowns do hit, they are crushing masterpieces, maintaining the intensity and making sure that the listener has no time to settle down and feel comfortable. This is not to say that Oak is simply a band who relies solely on their extremity, however. As well as maintaining the raw passion and power reminiscent of early Converge, the band also shows their ability to craft a strong post hardcore melody amid the chaos. Check it out.
Free Tunes: http://oakhardcore.bandcamp.com/
5 New Pop Punk Bands that will remind you not all pop punk is god awful
Over the years, Pop Punk has taken a sharp decline as a genre. And by sharp decline, I mean it has essentially plummeted straight into the toilet. For a genre formerly characterized by bands like the Descendents and the Dead Milkmen, it sure did get a little ahead of itself wanting to be taken seriously, which is why you now have legions of tank top/snapback-core bro down pop punk bands wandering aimlessly through local music pages trying desperately to promote their "new single!" and prove how "talented" they are at writing lyrics (and making pizza jokes). If that wasn't enough, pop punk kids are also just about the worst people ever (maybe not worst, but unarguably extremely annoying/unfunny). In spite of all of these negative factors of the modern pop punk scene, it is hard to deny that there are some bands powering through who still bring some total jams, and even some that retain the stupid humor of pop punk past. Here are 5 New Pop Punk bands that will remind you that all pop punk, is not, in fact, god awful.
1.) Grizzly
The fact that I like this band surprised me as much as anybody else. The fact that I don't just like them, but really, really dig them, is a total shocker for me. I'm honestly not a fan of the more radio pop rock/pop punk sound of many of the modern "pop punk" bands such as Fall Out Boy (Bring back Race Traitor and Arma Angelus!) and Good Charlotte, who, on some level, Grizzly seems to emulate. However these guys really bring something else to the table that makes the music extremely appealing to me. They keep those pop hooks without the grating never ending repetition of the choruses. I can also definitely pick up on some 90's alt rock influence, perhaps some Oasis, that also contributes to setting them apart from all the other millions of bands trying to pull off the pop rock/pop punk sound. I highly recommend checking these guys out.
For fans of: Fall Out Boy, Oasis
Tunes: http://grizzlypdx.bandcamp.com/album/small-things
2.) Dizzy Bats
Oddly enough, I found this band on a shoegaze compilation someone put together on the internet, and while they were not really shoegaze band, I immediately dug what I heard. This band plays pop punk heavily influenced by the "post grunge" power pop bands like Weezer and the President of the United States of America, but with slabs of fuzzy guitars that causes the listener to be reminded overwhelmingly of bands like Dinosaur Jr. and Yuck. They meld these two sounds together into a perfect blend of 90's throwback music. I seriously just can't get enough of these guys and would highly recommend checking out their song "Please Stall", as I usually listen to it at least 2 or 3 times a day and just jam out.
For Fans Of: Weezer, Yuck, The Thermals
Free Tunes: http://dizzybats.bandcamp.com/album/sundial
3.) Bad Year
Again, not usually a huge fan of this style of pop punk, but Bad Year does it right. It's also nice to see a band that isn't just hopping on the insanely annoying trend of tr00, tank top/snapback-core pop punk, and instead throwback to a sound that is much more appealing, that of New Found Glory. This means catchy choruses, a nice little breakdown in the middle, and some truly sadboi group vocals. Hopefully they won't be alone forever, but instead find a wider audience who can appreciate their lack of annoying tr00-ness and actually good brand of pop punk.
For Fans Of: New Found Glory, All for One
Free Tunes: http://badyearfl.bandcamp.com/releases
4.) The Oddities
Before I moved, these guys used to be locals, and while I never got a chance to see them, I did/do listen to their stuff on a pretty regular basis. Their brand of pop punk is one that takes from a couple of recent trend bands, such as the Menzingers, and the more "melodic hardcore" stuff such as Title Fight, and blends it into a totally unique sound all their own. They aren't too "rough around the edges", and show an amazing amount of melody. but also keep enough of the punk edge that they don't fall to the general bane of a lot of "pop punk" bands, in that they pretty much completely forget that there is supposed to be actual punk influence. The lyrics are also to be commended, as, unlike a lot of modern pop punk bands, they don't make me cringe to the point where I have to turn off the music. In fact, I'd say these lyrics are actually pretty damn good, which only helps to compliment the total banger of tunes these guys have.
For Fans Of: Title Fight, The Menzingers, Spraynard
Free Tunes: http://odditiesdc.bandcamp.com/album/nomads
5.) Pompo & The Community College Rejects
Ah, Pompo & The Community College Rejects. Pop punk band, or internet meme, forged in the deepest, darkest places of the internet? I like to think that they are a little bit of both, and all the better for it. If I had to choose my absolute favorite thing about this band, it's most likely their sense of humor. It's refreshing to see a pop punk band that can still tap into it's genres roots of stupid jokes and actually be funny, vs. just repeating the same stupid modern pop punk kid jokes over and over (xD who likes pizza?!?!!! xD!). As well as their stupid jokes that remind me of pop punk's beautiful past, they also bring a sound that is reminiscent of old pop punk bands, who remembered that "punk" was a pretty integral part to pop PUNK. My final thing on this band, is my extreme admiration for them for actually addressing current issues as well as actually being offensive. All in all, this band seriously just slays it all and reminds me of why pop punk was not only once bearable, but also good.
For Fans Of: The Bouncing Souls, The Dead Milkmen, Direct Hit!
Free Tunes: http://pompoandtccr.bandcamp.com/releases
1.) Grizzly
For fans of: Fall Out Boy, Oasis
Tunes: http://grizzlypdx.bandcamp.com/album/small-things
2.) Dizzy Bats
For Fans Of: Weezer, Yuck, The Thermals
Free Tunes: http://dizzybats.bandcamp.com/album/sundial
3.) Bad Year
For Fans Of: New Found Glory, All for One
Free Tunes: http://badyearfl.bandcamp.com/releases
4.) The Oddities
For Fans Of: Title Fight, The Menzingers, Spraynard
Free Tunes: http://odditiesdc.bandcamp.com/album/nomads
5.) Pompo & The Community College Rejects
For Fans Of: The Bouncing Souls, The Dead Milkmen, Direct Hit!
Free Tunes: http://pompoandtccr.bandcamp.com/releases
Monday, March 16, 2015
Sloth Herder
Genre: Blackened, sludgy, crusty Grind
For Fans Of: Young and in the Way, Votnut, Bacchus, Primitive Man
Do you like your blends of metal/hardcore filthy, disgusting, and blackened? Then good news, because Sloth Herder is just the band for you! From track one to the closer, this band delivers an unrelenting barrage of crusty, blackened grindcore of the highest order. Not only do they blast beat and d beat their way through song after song, however. They also show that they are more than capable of whipping up nasty sludge parts so thick and heavy that it feels like you're listening to molasses. This band should most definitely be a main stay on any self respecting Crust/Metal fans radar, as, if their most recent ep is any indication, they are only improving from here and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Free Tunes: http://slothherdermd.bandcamp.com/album/abandon-pop-sensibility
Monday, March 9, 2015
Blare
Genre: Shoegaze, Post Rock
For Fans Of: Cloakroom, Ringo Deathstar, Slowdive
As soon as their ep starts, crunchy guitars roll in over big drums, and a long period of vocal silence while this banger of an intro track starts. Blare establishes themselves as a band that can handle the lack of vocals in their shoegaze sound (that reminds me of Ringo Deathstar due to those crunchy, crunchy guitar riffs) without losing the massive wall of sound aspect that helps to personify shoegaze. Then song 2 rolls around, largely retaining the pattern of the first but this time with some vocals thrown very low in the mix to add another element. The third track is where my comparison to Cloakroom begins, as the track offers a very atmospheric, blissed out emo/post hardcore like track. This more emo influenced style of shoegaze continues on "Mush", where the vocalist enters with some mumbled, low vocals buried under some very sadboi style guitars. The track still moves very well, playing with the ambiance created by the guitars well and allowing the vocals (which I personally enjoy a lot) to have a bit of a spotlight, no matter how mumble-y and buried they may be. The vocals being so low in the mix doesn't nescessarily hurt the band on any level though. From track one they make it clear that they are a band who's main focus are intense, lush, and large instrumentals. The vocals role is only secondary in the sound, and every song they are featured on is better because of it. The instrumentals this band puts forwards are far too good to be worried about if the lyrics can be heard and make someone say "wow deep" for a passing moment. All the emotional power that needs to be displayed is easily displayed through the instrumentals. Overall Blare is a band that thrives when left to create dense, reverb drench soundscapes that pack a powerful punch and leave the listener constantly wanting more.
Free Tunes: http://driptapes.bandcamp.com/album/meant-well
Sure.
Genre: Surfy Dream Pop
For Fans Of: The Freights, Wavves, Wildhoney
When I first heard the first track off this ep aimlessly scrolling through the dream pop tag on bandcamp, I was instantly hooked. It's a well known fact that surf riffs are some of the greatest things to ever happen to pop music, and if they fit well in pop, then surely they must fit well in dream pop? That last part was a rhetorical question, because surf riffs don't just fit well in dream pop, they fit PERFECTLY in dream pop. The riffs are catchy and warm and sound absolutely fantastic under a layer of synth and reverb. Musically though, the band only gets better. The singer's voice wonderfully fits the music, adding another sonic layer to get lost in, and another element that helps this music just mellow you out infinitely. Underneath the vocals and guitars are drums that could not fit the release any better. The drums remain consistently bouncy, providing a stark contrast to the dreamy, melancholy attitude that the vocals and guitars create, and helping to remind the listener that the surf pop aspect of this band is part of what makes them so great.
Free Tunes: http://sureband.bandcamp.com/album/secret-ep
Dead Mellotron
Genre: Shoegaze/Reverb soaked alt rock
For Fans Of: Dinosaur Jr., Cheetahs, No Joy
Dead Mellotron plays a brand of shoegaze dripping with influence from such bands as Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. This sets them apart for a few reasons. One, being that the tracks are not as traditionally "shoegaze" as one would think, nor do they really fall into the more "Nugaze" category of bands like Whirr and Nothing who take heavy influence from punk and hardcore bands. Instead, Dead Mellotron keeps the sort of enveloping atmosphere of shoegaze while adding in some jangely guitar riffs that are infinitely easier to grasp onto upon the first listen then some of their more shoegaze leaning counterparts. However, as stated above, the addition of these more attention grabbing guitar riffs does not subtract from the overall atmosphere presented. These riffs are still layered in reverb, creating a warm, enveloping sound that allows the listener to truly get lost and enjoy the sonic textures presented. Definitely worth checking out if you like shoegaze or some more reverb laden bands, such as Yuck.
Free Tunes: http://deadmellotron.bandcamp.com/album/glitter
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