Cagework - Eileen

  

1.  Who are they? 

An indie rock/punk rock three piece from Brixton, London. Playing since 2018, Eileen (2019) is a single from their debut E.P. Cagework (July, 2019).

2. What have they got?

A quaintly snide rollicking and rolling sing-a-long indie crowd pleaser with a little bass note rest and rousingly noisy and shouty choruses.

3. Who do Cagework sound like?

Some say Pavement. Blur? Sports Team? I don't know.

4. Which bands have influenced Cagework?

Some of their influences are Husker Du, Modest Mouse, and Pavement.

5. What have the press said?

“A touch of melancholy seems to seep through before the guitars rise up”- Gig Wise.

“Another standout track highlighting the bands knack for a melody”- The Line Of Best Fit.

“Feels like a jovial sing-a-long”- Indie Is Not A Genre.

"And it really makes her mad"

BRONCHO - Keep It In Line

 

1. Who are they?

BRONCHO are an indie rock band that's sound wanders around the place but are themselves from Norman, Ohio. They started playing in 2010 and Keep It In Line (October, 2018) is a single from their fourth album Bad Behavior (October, 2018).

2. What kind of song is Keep It In Line? 

A low-fi melodic cruise with hints of garage rock, a wheedling line about behaving yourself and cooed over with sunny sweet vocals. Bit of an earworm. The band are a personal favorite of mine.

3. Who do BRONCHO sound like? 

They have been mentioned in the same breath as The Strokes, upbeat songs by The Cure, and Generationals. There's a bit of The Clean in there for me too like in this banger Try Me Out Sometime (2012).

4. Which bands have influenced BRONCHO?

The Beach Boys, Billy Idol and The Strokes.

5. What have the press said?

“Singalong anthems that combine punk and garage-rock”- Handing Love.

“An infectious song about practicality and accountability” – XS Noize.

“A high energy and is very danceable” – Song BPM.

"You got caught and ya gave it away,

And then I cancelled on ya"

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).

Ruler - Petrified

1.    Who?

Ruler is Matt Batey, an indie rock musician from Seattle, Washington.  Matt Batey has spent over a decade playing in other bands. Petrified (Feb’18) is the lead single from his debut album Winning Star Champion (May’18). 


2. What kind of tune is Petrified? 

Petrified is a proto-typical hard-charging indie rock song about anxiety. But what seems 'hey-diddle-diddle-straight-down-the-middle' indie rock carries hints of god-honest angry desperation that propels this flower out of the bunch.


3. Who does Ruler sound like? 

Ruler has been compared to Nada Surf, Superchunk, and Death Cab For Cutie. 


4. What have the press said about Ruler's music? 

“Catchy and grown-up indie rock” – MagnetMagazine.

“Bright and unpretentious guitar rock” – Seattle Weekly.

“Bouncy power-pop” – Pitchfork. 

5. Which bands have influenced Ruler?

Matt Bately has some love for Nada Surf, David Bazan, Charly Bliss, Chris Staples, and Sloucher.

6. Why should I have a listen to Petrified? 

Because here is a man immersed in the Seattle rock indie scene who has struck out on his own with ten years worth of songs in his back catalogue, and made his first album (a labor of love). All of that is packed into a catchy song.

7. Does Ruler have any other crackers?

Easy Life is more of the same.

8. Anything else?

Erik Howk the guitarist from Portugal. The Man plays on the album. 

Dan Mangan - Troubled Mind

Dan Mangan is an indie rock/folk musician from Vancouver, Canada. His music is similar to Great Lake Swimmers, Arkells, and Wintersleep. Dan Mangan's main influences are Nick Drake, Van Morrison and The Beatles. Troubled Mind (June'18) is the second single from an as yet unannounced fifth album. He said that Trouble Mind might be his most upbeat and danceable song yet. Trouble Mind is fast-paced, but melancholic; a synth-led, indie pop song about struggling to deal with the 24/7 bombardment of news. It was produced by Simone Felice (Bat For Lashes, The Lumineers).

“Are we the beautiful future?

I can’t figure it out”

Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes - Headfirst (It's All Happening)

1.    Who? 

Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes are an indie rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. Headfirst (It's All Happening) (June'18)is a single from their third album Fashion (August'18). 


2. What kind of tune is it? 

Headfirst (It's All Happening) is a change in musical direction for this good times rock'n'roll band. Bouncy synth, a bass drum and vocals barely sustain interest for the first two and a half minutes but then the song explodes to life with a dark all-in rock out at the two and a half minute mark making the patient wait worth while. Rinse and repeat.



3. Who do Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes sound like? 

Beirut and Young The Giant.

4. What is the word from the people about Headfirst (It's All Happening)? 

“The sound life makes when it becomes ecstasy” – The Low Down Under. 

“A rallying cry for Daniel Ellworth & The Great Lakes” – Magnet Magazine.

“Eclectic-synth indie-rock” – Bong.

5. Which bands have influenced Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes? 

Some of their influences include Wilco, Paul Simon, Tame Impala, Kendrick Lamar, and Spoon. 


6. Why should I give Headfirst (It's All Happening) a spin? 

Because it's a reasonable introduction to a great band. For the all-in kicking in.


7. What other bangers do they have? 

Sun Goes Out is a divine indie rocker, the crown jewel. Shoe Fits and Always/Never are the dogs bollocks too. 


8. Any more words champ? 

Fashion was produced by Kyle Andrews. 

Brian Fallon is the singer and guitarist for Gaslight Anthem. He is from New Jersey and is known for his heartland rock music. Brian Fallon sounds like Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison. His main influences are Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, and Pearl Jam. If Your Prayers Don't Get To Heaven (Dec'17) was the second single from Brian Fallon's second solo album Sleepwalkers (Feb'18) and is an attempt to recreate a Motown/Muscle Shoals sound. The song pops.

The Spitfires - New Age

 

1.    Who are The Spitfires?

The Spitfires are a socially conscious indie rock band with an old school English punk side to them. They are from Watford, England, and New Age (June'18) is a single from their third album Year Zero (July'18).

2. What kind of tune is it? 

New Age is next generation English guitar rock. Born of bands like The Clash, The Jam, The Specials, and singing about what's important to them now. Which in this case is crusty cunts who refuse to change. But as always the music comes first. Melodic, but with a sense of urgency and anger. A song that, for all it's obvious influences, feels immediate and relevant.

3. Who do The Spitfires sound like? 

SHARP/SHOCK, The Rifles, and The Jam. 

4. What have the press said about New Age? 

“Speaks to the youth and welcomes a new age of British guitar music” – New SoundExpress. 

“Loud guitars and energy with a sort of ‘back to basics’ approach” – Merch Bar.

“Their sound is original but full of the best of the best classic British guitar influences” – New Music Times. 

5. Which bands have influenced The Spitfires? 

Some of their influences are UB40, TOUTS, The Ordinary Boys, The Beautiful South, and Madness. 

6. Why should I give New Age a spin? 

For the Specials-eque breakdown or because you like music with a word to say. 

7. What other bangers do The Spitfires have? 

On My Mind is the one you want. 

8. Anything else? 

The Spitfires have supported both The Specials and Paul Weller (The Jam). 

Buster Shuffle are a ska rock'n'roll band from London. They started together in 2007 and have four albums in the vault. Buster Shuffle are similar to Madness and Heavyball. They are influenced by The Clash, Madness and Ian Dury. You're Alright is a track from their debut album Our Night Out (2010). 

The Tins - Sun Dried Mind

 

1. Who? 

The Tins are an indie rock (60's psychedelic pop/new wave art rock) band from Buffalo, New York. Sun Dried Mind (May'18) is the second single from their second album The Shine (June'18). 

2. What kind of song is it? 

Sun Dried Mind opens with euphoric, effervescent pop and a singalong chorus. Fuzzy guitar adds contrast and gravitas. An instantly likeable song that oozes joy on a religious scale.

3. Who do The Tins sound like? 

The Shins, Bear Hands, and Spoon. 


4. What is the word in the press for Sun Dried Mind?

“Very poppy, filtered through 60’s psychedelia” – American Pancake.

“Soaring pop tendencies and guitar fuzz” – Obscure Sound.

“Sun-soaked vocal harmonies and a clean-cut polished sound” – We All Want Someone. 

5. Which bands influenced The Tins?

The Kinks, Badfinger, Animal Collective, ELO, and Spoon. 


6. Why should I give Sun Dried Mind a crack? 

Sun Dried Mind has captured a hallelujah moment in song. It feels so good it's a religious experience.


7. Do The Tins have any more great songs?

Let It Go and Love On Strike. 


8. Anything else?

The Shins was produced by Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls. 

Matthew Logan Vasquez is the singer/guitarist from indie rock band Delta Spirit. He is also in Middle Brother. As a solo artist he has released two albums. Matthew Logan Vasquez is influenced by artists like Gram Parsons, Iggy Pop and Nirvana. Night Forever is from the E.P. Texas Murder Ballads (May'18) and is a snappy rocker propelled along with an intense sense of urgency. 

Interpol - The Rover

1. Who?

Interpol are a popular and influential post-punk/indie rock band from New York. They started in 1997 and The Rover (June'18) is the lead single from their sixth album Marauder(Aug'18). 


2. What?

The Rover is more of Interpol's same old schtick. Humorless, post-punk, with no big hooks or a standout chorus. The Rover is atmospheric but the melodies slowly bubble to the surface and entrance after a few repeated listens. A song with moreish qualities. 


3. Who do Interpol sound like? 

The National, Bloc Party, and The Strokes. 


4. What have the press said about The Rover?

“More perfunctory than visceral” – Spin. 

“Digs a pleasing groove in your brain” – Pitchfork. 

“A rush of dark rock’n’roll from returning masters” – NME.

5. Which bands influenced Interpol? 

The Violent Femmes, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Leonard Cohen, and Janes Addiction. 

7. What are Interpol's biggest bangers? 

Evil, Everything Is Wrong and All The Rage Back Home. 

8. Anything else?

Marauder was produced by Dave Fridmann (Spoon, Weezer, The Cribs). 

Arcade Fire are a popular art rock/indie rock band from Montreal, Canada. Arcade Fire are similar to Bloc Party, Interpol and Vampire Weekend. Their influences are New Order, Talking Heads and David Bowie. Chemistry is an album track from Arcade Fire's fifth album Everything Now (July'17). SPIN magazine said Chemistry is “the worst Arcade Fire song ever” and The Guardian thought it “sounds almost willfully horrible.” Suffice to say Chemistry is a reggae song, a laugh, and the best Arcade Fire song in years.