Japandroids - Near To The Wild Heart Of Life

1.    Who are these rock demons? 

Japandroids are are a commercially and critically successful rock band from Vancouver, Canada. They combine equal parts classic rock and punk and started playing together in 2006. Near The Wild Heart Of Life (Nov'16) is the lead single, and title track, from their third album Near The Wild Heart Of Life (Jan'17). 

2. What have they got left in the tank?

Near The Wild Heart Of Life sounds like R.E.M. crossed with Death From Above 1979; heartland rock and hometown ennui versus the raging punk promise of realizing your greatest dreams with a little help from your friends. A somewhat low-key, but profound, banger. 

3. Who do Japandroids sound like? 

Death From Above 1979, Titus Andronicus and Cloud Nothings. 

4. What is the word about Near To The Wild Heart Of Life from the cut and paste jackals in the press? 

“Letting their arena-rock DNA express itself” – Pitchfork. 

“Rollicking drums and punkish riffs” – Zumic.

“The soundtrack for dive bars and nights where nothing good happens” – Pretty Much Amazing.

5. Which bands have put the fire in Japandroids' music? 

The special influences on the new album are Townes Van Zandt and Tom Waits. The all-time influences are Husker Du, Constantines, The Stooges, The Gun Club and The Rolling Stones. 


6. Why should I give Near To The Wild Heart Of Life a lash? 

It's the kind of song that reminds you to break free and take a chance. Inspirational. 


7. Do Japandroids have any more good tunes?

The House That Heaven Built was the greatest fists-in-the-sky indie rock anthem of 2012. A classic. . The Nights Of Wine And Roses  and Continuous Thunder aren't too shabby. 


8. Any more words?

Near To The Wild Heart Of Life is about guitarist/singer Brian King's move from Vancouver to Toronto. 

“And it got me all fired up,

To go far away”

Titus Andronicus are a punk rock band from Glen Rock, New Jersey. Formed in 2005 they have been through a multitude of lineups with lead singer/guitarist Patrick Sickles the only constant. Patrick's main influences are Neutral Milk, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and The Pogues. Titus Andronicus have recorded four albums the latest being a rock opera The Most Lamentable Tragedy (2015). The second single was Fatal Flaw a song Stereogum called “truly badass” and Jonk Music “a fist pumping sing-along.”

“Waiting at the drugstore, oh yeah,

Waiting on the drug dealer all day”