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. 

Generationals - Keep It Low

1.    Who are Generationals? 

Generationals are an indie pop rock band from New Orleans, Louisiana. They started in 2008 and have recorded four albums. Generationals marry a fifties and sixties sound with 80's New Wave. Keep It Low (Feb'17) is a stand alone single. 

2. What kind of tune is Keep It Low?

Keep It Low is an atmospheric, mid-tempo, number. Sweet vocals and gruff strokes of guitar and synth in a low-key song that grows on you. 

3. Who do Generationals sound like? 

STRFKR, Ra Ra Riot and JR JR. 

4. What have the press said about Keep It Low? 

“Fuzzy, catchy” – Amawaster.

“Darker” – KCOU FM.

“Thick, fuzzy” – Spin.

5. Which bands influenced Generationals? 

Some of their main influences are The Kinks, Spoon, The Supremes, Phil Spector and Fleetwood Mac. 

6. Why should I listen to Keep It Low? 

Because it encapsulates melancholic and nostalgia with an ever so slight edge. 

7. What are Generationals best songs? 

I Never Know and Ten-Twenty-Ten are laid-back, quirky rock'n'roll songs. When They Fight They Fight is all early Motown. Fucking gems the lot of them. 

8. Any more words? 

Get on with ya. 

“I got tortured for what I done”

The Orwells are the greatest garage rock band to walk God's green earth. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, they have been kicking arse and taking no names since 2009. The Orwells sound like Twin Peaks and The Stooges and are influenced by The Pixies and The White Stripes. Their third album Terrible Human Beings (Feb'17) is a mature effort. The third single Black Francis (Jan'17) brings a slice of 60's garage to the table and then lets the punk rip. Slant Magazine said the album has “an unhinged sense of mayhem” and Line Of Best Fit described Black Francis as “incendiary.”

“And where they from,

It ain’t that rough”

The Spitfires - On My Mind

1.    Who are these likely lads then? 

Behold the majesty of The Spitfires, an indie rock band flying out of Watford, England. These brave few have been playing together since 2012 and On My Mind (April'16) is the second single from The Spitfires' second album A Thousand Times (August'16). 

2. What calibre of tune is So Long?

Of the first order. Elements of English indie rock that stretch back from the Arctic Monkeys to the golden years of English punk to the British invasion all combine to make a racy little number out of melancholic material. Comes with keys and and a little side of brass. Grows on you.

3. Who do these indie rock champions sound like? 

The Clash, The Jam and The Smiths. 

4. What have the press said about Always On My Mind? 

“A powerful modern rock anthem” – Never Enough Notes.

“A quality slice of guitar driven sounds” – Merc London.

“The tracks exceptional standard is maintained throughout it’s entirety” – Gig Slutz.

5. Which bands have provided ammunition for The Spitfires?

Some of The Spitfires' influences are The Kinks, The Jam, The Smiths, The Clash, The Who, Billy Bragg, 2 Tone, soul and reggae.

6. Why should I give On My Mind a whirl? 

On My Mind is a crystal clear product of the finest English indie rock influences.

7. Do The Spitfires have any more spankers?

Aye aye Popeye. Wrap your ears around So Long a tune that found it's way to the top of the U.K. vinyl singles charts.

8. Anything else?

The bird. 

“I’m not trying to be brave”

The Cat Empire are an Australian ska, jazz, funk, rock fusion band with Latin influences. From Melbourne, Australia, and formed in 1999 they have seven records to pin on their battle honors. So Many Nights (2007) was the second single from their third album of the same name which debuted at number 2 on the Australian album charts. So Many Nights is a funky, nu-soul, ska number that Music Review praised for “the addictive catchiness of the chorus and the danceable rhythm that is hard to resist.”

“It’s inappropriate that I should present like a

Retired matador with unpaid rent”

VANT - Karma Seeker

1.    Who are these rock heroes?

      VANT are one of the most exciting punk bands to scream out of London since The Clash. Bringing vital life to the English music scene since 2014 they have three short players to their roll of honor. Karma Seeker (June'16) is the lead single from an up-coming fourth EP.

   2. How good is Karma Seeker? 

Karma Seeker is filler compared to some of VANT's previous red-hot efforts. It's all a bit waffley with Red Hot Chili Peppers verses and wank faux philosophical lyrics. But the tune is redeemed by a hard rocking chorus and all in all still rates as rock solid compared to the vast majority of their contemporaries output. 

     

   3. Which bands do VANT sound like?

     Euphoriazine compared Karma Seeker to Nirvana. Generally VANT are similar to FIDLAR, Get Innuit, Public Access TV or even Sundara Karma.

   4. What have the cut and paste bandits said about Karma Seeker?

    “A biting anthem-in-waiting” – Clash Music.

    “Socially aware rock music with a philosophical edge” – Euphoriazine.

    “The hell-raisers are on typically raucous form” – DIY.

   5. Which bands have influenced VANT?

    The prime movers are The Kinks, Fugazi, The Clash and Rage Against The Machine.

   6. Why should I give Karma Seeker a whip past the ears?

     Because it's not shit. From  a band as exciting as VANT all installments on their path to rock'n'roll immortality must be exalted. Get yer snout in the trough.

   7. What other belters have VANT got in the cupboard?

     Fly-By Alien, Parking Lot and Do You Know Me? are all of the highest order.

   8. Any more words peanut?

    Not a dilly.

   “If you search you’ll destroy what you miss”

      Arkells are a very successful alternative rock band from Hamilton, Canada. Playing together since 2006 they have three remarkable albums on their resume and a fourth due in August 2016 and picked up Juno Awards for 2012 and 2015 Group Of The Year and Album Of The Year for High Noon (2014). Book Club (2011) is a track from their second album Michigan Left that didn't rate a single release yet has over half a million You Tube views and a song that Pure Volume said is “impossible not to fall head over heels for those glittering guitars, whimsical harmonies and sixties-inspired vocal lines.”

“Take me to the bus stop Matty,

Drive me back to Hamilton”

Dressy Bessy - Lady Liberty

 

1.    Who are they?

Dressy Bessy are an indie power pop band from Denver, Colorado, whipping it up since 2007. Lady Liberty (Oct'16) rattled off their seventh album Kingsized (Feb'16).

2. What’s rocking?

Lady Liberty is a bubbly, 60's style pop rock call to arms with some raunchy guitar riffery in the background assisting. Finger snapping, bopping fun with a word about the state of the rebellion. Or more to the point the lack thereof.

3. Who do Dressy Bessy sound like?

Spin compared Dressy Bessy to Tacocat and Bleached. WSUM were feeling Apples In Stereo and Cheap Trick on Lady Liberty. The sunshine bounce of Rabbit! should be included.

4. What have the press said about Lady Liberty?

“A bouncy new one” – Stereogum.

“A catchy hook, guest 12 string guitar from R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and sharp vocal harmonies” – Knox News.

“Impossibly bright and catchy” – Popshifter.

 

 

5. Which bands put the gut in Dressy Bessy’s pop punch?

Dressy Bessy are influenced by The Kinks, The Beatles, The Monkees, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Sly & The Family Stone and The Jackson 5.

6. Why should I give Lady Liberty a twirl?

Political pop punk never sounded so upbeat or so good.


7. Do Dressy Bessy have any more masterpieces?

If You Should Try To Kiss Her has more bouncy goodness.


8. More words?

Guests on Kingsized include Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Rebecca Cole (Black Flag) and Jason Garner (The Polyphonic Spree).

“There is nothing but hypocrisy and carrying on”

Alistair Riddel and members of Split Enz and the drummer of The Angels were in glam rock band Space Waltz who had a huge number one hit in NZ with Out On The Street (1974) from their debut album Space Waltz (1975). Space Waltz didn't last long but they left one of New Zealand's most iconic songs as their legacy. All Music says Out On The Street is “a fairly authentic Ziggy Stardust outtake.”

“Watch out young love... it’s a useless game”

 

 

 

 

The Tins - Love On Strike

1.    Who are the chaps?

The Tins are an indie rock band from Buffalo, New York. Playing together since 2010 they have one long player to their name. Love On Strike is from The Tin’s third short player Love On Strike (Nov’15).


 2. What’s the vibe?

Love On Strike strides out tall, handsome and proud with classic rock riffs and rides that horse for what it's worth. It's worth a lot. The chorus is a lot more English indie rock. Sound as a pound.


3. Who do The Tins sound like?

Love On Strike minds of The Family Rain.


4. What have the good people in the press said?

“Straight forward indie pop and indie rock” – Pure Volume.

“Great harmonies, squiggly synth and razor sharp hooks” – Buffa Blog.

“Destined for greatness” – Tell All Your Friends.

 

 

5. Which bands have put the magic in The Tin’s music?

The Tins are influenced by The Kinks, Spoon, ELO, Badfinger, Black Sabbath and Animal Collective.

6. Why should I give Love On Strike a lash?

Love On Strike has all kinds of classic rock riffs and a stomping rhythm. What's not to love?


7. Do The Tins have any more bangers?

Let It Go is so fine. Innovative, sublime, indie rock brilliance.


8. Any more words?

The E.P. Love On Strike was mixed by Ted Young who has worked in the mines for Cymbals Eat Guitars and Kurt Vile and produced by The Goo Goo Dolls’ bass player Robby Takac.

“You haven’t acted your age in ages”

 

 

 

 

The Little Ones are an indie pop band from Los Angeles, California. Getting the love flowing since 2006 they have two long players to fly on their flag. The Little Ones have been compared to The Shins and The Magic Numbers. Argonauts (2012) was the lead single to bubble off their second album The Dawn Sang Along (2013) and is a tune Indie Shuffle said, “the bouncy rhythm and chopped up vocals had me hooked.”

“For every fallen dream there is a hard knock on the door”