Andy Shauf - Try Again

1.  Who is he? 

Andy Shauf is an in indie pop singer songwriter from Regina, Canada, making music since the early 2000's. Try Again (December, 2019) is a single from his sixth album The Neon Skyline (2020).

2. What has he got?

A thoughtful and sweet indie pop tune that takes place in a bar with a sense of humor and a subtle hook.

3. Who does Andy Shauf sound like?

Paul Simon, Kevin Morby, Elliot Smith (and I was minded of Hayden).

4. Which bands have influenced Andy Shauf?

Some of his influences are Blink-182, The Beatles, Randy Newman.

5. What have the press said?

“A standout personality-filled single”- LA Phil.

“Colorful characters and a rich emotional depth”- Far Out Magazine.

“It's hook is quite something”- Dots and Dashes.

"Somewhere between drunkeness and sincerity,

I smile at her for just a little too long"

Amyl and The Sniffers - Some Mutts Can't Be Muzzled

1. Who are they? 

A punk/pub rock band from Melbourne, Australia, formed in 2016, who have found favor far and wide.

2. What have they got?

A raw garage rock barn burner that goes straight up the guts. Punk by numbers.  The best thing this band will ever do.

3. Who do Amyl and The Sniffers sound like?

The Chats, Iggy and The Stooges, and IDLES.

4. Which bands have influenced Amyl and The Sniffers?

Some of their influences are AC/DC, Minor Threat and Motorhead.

5. What have the press said?

“A three chord banger”- Punk News

“Raging garage punk”- Beat.

“I’m wondering if this chick is on speed”- Beyond High Brow

"You got a new dog, do you remember me?"

The Kooks - Pamela

1.    Who are they? 

The Kooks are one of England's most successful indie rock bands. They have been playing together since 2004 and rose to prominence with the hit single Naïve (2006) from their debut album Inside In/Inside Out .


2. What have they got?

Pamela (Nov'18) is the sixth single from their fifth album Let's Go Sunshine (Aug'18) and a favorite with the reviewers. 


3. Who do The Kooks sound like? 

The Kooks are similar to Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs, and The Fratellis. 


4. What have the press said about Pamela?

“A classic, toothless, crowd pleaser” – Pop Matters. 

“Extremely fun to listen to” – Indie Is Not A Genre.

“Borderline pastiche punk sound” – Clash Music.

5. Which bands influenced The Kooks? 

Bob Dylan, The Everly Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Blur, and The Libertines. 

6. Why should I give Pamela a listen? 

Pamela is a high tempo throwaway piece of flimsy from a mature and popular rock'n'roll band that have rediscovered the popularity (and style) of their debut album.



7. What are The Kooks best songs?

Naïve, Be Who You Are, Down,  No Pressure, Forgive & Forget. 



8. Anything else? 

Zip.

Tokyo Police Club - DLTFWYH

1. Who are they? 

Tokyo Police Club are a popular indie rock band from New Market, Ontario, Canada. They started playing together in 2005. 


2. What?

DLTFWYH (Don’t Let Them Fuck With Your Heart) (July’18) is a single from their fourth album TPC (Oct’18). 


3. Who are Tokyo Police Club similar to? 

Arkells, Ra Ra Riot, and Said The Whale. 


4. What have the press said about DLTFWYH?

“Anticipatory verses and a crashing chorus” – Paste. 

“Essentially one long buildup to a boisterous explosion of guitars” – Consequence Of Sound. 

“A bit of alternative twang” – All Things Go Music. 

5. Which bands are Tokyo Police Club's influences? 

The Strokes, Weezer, Plastic Ono Band, Led Zeppelin, and Royal Headache. 

6. Why should I give DLTFWYH a listen? 

DLTFWYH has a structure that builds tension and releases it better than expensive Thai pussy. The influence of Led Zeppelin is evident in the song structure and the tune eschews the lighter pop of some of their previous efforts. DLTFWYH sounds like Tokyo Police Club got a new lease of life. It sounds electric. It sounds vital.

7. What are Tokyo Police Club's best songs? 

The House, Hot Tonight, and Toy Guns.

8. Anything else? 

TPC was produced by Rob Schnapf (The Vines, FIDLAR, Saves The Day).

The Frights - Over It

The Frights are a surf-punk/garage-rock band from San Diego, California. Over It (Nov'18) is the third single from their third album Hypochondriac (Aug'18) The Frights sound similar to SWMRS and FIDLAR. They are influenced by Rancid and Offspring. Zac Carper (FIDLAR) produced. Over It is the sound of a band that has hit it's stride.It sits on top of a fat, lazy riff and milks the loud/quiet dynamic until the cow is dry. Close to radio-friendly, while spiky enough not to alienate their punk fans, Over It is the best thing The Frights have done.

SWMRS - Berekely's On Fire

1.    Who are they? 

SWMRS are a pop punk band from Oakland, California. 


2. What have they got?

Berkeley’s On Fire (Aug’18) is a standalone single at the moment. SWMRS are three albums deep. 


3. Who are SWMRS similar to? 

The Frights, FIDLAR, and WAAVES. 


4. What have the press said? 

“Social commentary wrapped in churning guitars” – Paste Magazine. 

“Vibrant song” – Alt Press. 

“Thundering drums and wailing guitars” – We Are The Guard. 

5. Which bands influenced SWMRS?

Some of SWMRS main influences are The Ramones, The Beach Boys, The Clash, Public Enemy, and Weezer. 

6. Why should I give Berkeley's On Fire a listen?

The song has a word to say about far-right politics, the propaganda machine and outrage culture. They aren’t in favor of any of them! And vitriol is the best sauce for cooking pop punk songs in. Berkeley's On Fire is angry and catchy (in a Beastie Boys Fight For Your Right To Party kind of way) in equal measure. 

7. What are SWMRS best songs? 

Figuring It Out and Miley are the best SWMRS bangers. 

8. Any more words? 

The drummer is Billie Joe Armstrong's (Green Day) son.

Mother Mother - Get Up

Mother Mother are a popular indie rock band from Vancouver, Canada. Get Up (Sept'18) is the first single from their seventh album Dance Cry (Nov'18). Mother Mother have a radio-friendly indie pop/rock sound similar to Grouplove and WATERS. Mother Mother's influences are The Pixies and Dirty Projectors. Get Up is a fierce, seize-the-day song, that walks a perfect line between their pop sensibilities, indie quirkiness, and rock rage. Another vital installment from a band that brought us classics like Love Stuck and Get Out Of The Way.