Burly Wood - Side By Side

 

1. Who are Burly Wood? 

Burly Wood are an alternative rock band with elements of punk and grunge from Montreal, Canada. A band made from accomplished musicians from other bands they have been making music since 2016 and Side By Side (August, 2024) is from their second E.P. Horror Vacui (2024). 

2. What kind of song is Side By Side? 

Side By Side has an earnest pop punk sound like The Ataris or PUP but with all the polish you would expect from well established musicians. 

3. Who do Burly Wood sound like?

PUP, The Ataris, Dinosaur Jr, and Weezer. 

4. Which bands have influenced Burly Wood?

I don't know. One of them is rocking a Rise Against T and I'm thinking they wouldn't hate bands like Weezer, Modern Baseball, and The Wonder Years. You'll have to ask them though.

5. What have people said about Burly Wood's music?

"A refreshing sound" - Pitch Perfect.

"Music that resonates on a deeper level" - Tunepical. 

"An explosive brand of alternative rock" - Bombshell Radio.

"I should have spent more time with me when I was young,

I wouldn't feel unsafe with everything I do"

WAVVES - You're Welcome

1. Who are WAVVES? 

WAVVES are a surf-punk band from San Diego, California. Making noise since 2008 they have six albums in the vault. You’re Welcome (March’17) is one of two lead singles from their sixth album You’re Welcome (May’17). 

2. What's the skinny on You're Welcome? 

You're Welcome is slacker punk with Beck-esque verses that suck you in but ultimately have fuck all to say. Theirs a Pro Tools simplicity to it, a lovely, grimey, under-stated riff and a catchy Peter Pan chorus. It'll do.

3. Which bands do WAVVES sound like? 

SWMRS, FIDLAR and Best Coast. 

4. What have the press said about You're Welcome? 

“Ebullient slices of basement punk” – Noisey Vice.

“Decidedly more psychedelic and offbeat” – Clrvynt

“A heavier, brooding track until the chorus comes around” – The Line Of Best Fit. 

5. Which bands inspired WAVVES?

Some of their main influences are Nirvana, The Ramones, The Beach Boys, Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer. 

6. Why should I listen to You're Welcome? 

Because you like indulgent West Coast punk rock. 

7. What are WAVVES best songs? 

Demon To Lean On, Flamezesz and Way Too Much are the ones you want.

8. Any more words? 

WAVVES  and Cloud Nothings put out a collaborative album in 2016 (No Life For Me).

WAAVES and Weezer put out a split 7" Fake Smiles and Nervous Laughter (2016) with a WAVVES cover of You Gave Your Love To Me Softly. 

“Low life, your life”

Radkey are a garage punk band from St. Joseph, Missouri. They are three brothers.Radkey sound similar to The Bots, Drenge and Bass Drum Of Death. They are influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Misfits and Wolfmother.  Dark Black Makeup is off their debut album Dark Black Makeup (2015) (re-released in 2016 as Delicious Rock Noise). NME thought the album was “one of the strongest punk debuts of 2015.” Dark Black Makeup features nun cunt tight playing under an exquisite glam vocal. 

“Kids these days, they want it all,

They just trip, trip and fall”

WATERS - Hiccups

1.    Who are WATERS?

WATERS are an indie pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. Hiccups (Feb’17) is the lead single from their third album Something More! (May’17). 

2. What kind of tune is Hiccups? 

Hiccups has a pop-punk edge married to the usual feel good, sunshiny, indie-pop singalong chorus. A light-hearted pleasure.

3. Who do WATERS sound like?

Grouplove, New Politics and Mother Mother. 

4. What have the press said about Hiccups?

“Modern take on classic grunge” – The Celebrity Café.

“Power-pop sneer” – Black Book.

“Y’all killed it” – You Tube Comments.

 

5. Which bands have influenced WATERS?

WATERS main influences are Modest Mouse, Weezer, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana. 

6. Why should I listen to WATERS? 

Because you are young or at least young at heart. Because you don't mind a little pop-punk. 

7. What are WATERS best songs? 

Got To My Head, What's Real and I Feel Everything.

8. Any more words?

Something More! is produced by Tim Pagnotta (New Politics, Neon Trees, Walk The Moon). 

“All of my hiccups,

Only brought me to you”

New Politics are a pop-punk band from Copenhagen, Denmark. They have recorded three albums and sound similar to The Royal Concept, Young The Giant and Youngblood Hawke.  New Politics are influenced by 30 Seconds To Mars, Nirvana and Arctic Monkeys. Harlem was the lead single from their third album A Bad Girl In Harlem (2015). Sputnik Music called the tune “uproarious.”

“Hair metal on a Japanese boom box”

SWMRS- Hannah

1.    Who are the lads?

SWMRS are are a surf/pop/punk band from Oakland, California. Drive North (Feb'16) is their third album, albeit the first two came under the name Emily's Army. Hannah (Feb'16) is an album track that got a video in October.

2. What's this Hannah like then?

Like an indulgent Ramones song on Valium, banged out on a lazy Sunday with Pro Tools. Sleepy but catchy. The lyrics hit the spot. About indulgence. 

3. Who do SWMRS sound like? 

FIDLAR, The Ramones, Wavves, The Frights and Twin Peaks. 

4. What have the press said about Hannah? 

“A slow, dreamy song” – Cryptic Rock.

“A very odd song” – Rattle Mag.

“More mellow” – Michigan Daily.

5. Which bands have influenced SWMRS?

The Ramones, The Clash, The Beach Boys, Public Enemy and Weezer are a few of their influences.


6. Why should I give Hannah a lash? 

Because the lyrics are vaguely amusing and the tune doesn't suck balls.


7. Do SWMRS have any other notable efforts?

Sure they do! Figuring It Out is top of the pops, rocks as hard as a prison rapist's hard-on and has gang vocals. Miley is punk rock done proper. Proper, proper.


8. Any more words Bozo?

Drive North was produced by FIDLAR singer Zac Carper. 

“My eyes look like diamonds, the boys all be trying,

But those boys don’t understand me”

Havana 3 am were a British/American rockabilly band with a heavy Latino influence formed by The Clash bass player Paul Simonon. They recorded two long players from 1986 - 1996. Havana 3am's first self-titled album Havana 3am (1991) was the essential album that All Music said, "has a tense pumping energy.” Reach The Rock was a minor radio hit and the best tune on the album. The initial spaghetti-Western sound settles into a lovely ska bounce before cracking into a straight rock song. It's worthy.

“One bad move leads to another”

Hey Geronimo - Bake A Cake

     1.    Who are this rough and tumble lot?

Hey Geronimo are an indie rock band from Brisbane, Australia. Bake A Cake (July'16) bounces off their second album Crashing Into The Sun (July'16). 

2.    What have they got that’s hot to trot?

Bake A Cake is a feel good pop rock tune, with a retro sixties 'down at the dance' vibe a fuzzy guitar lick and a take home message. 

  

3. Who do Hey Geronimo sound like?

Animal House. Bronze Radio Return. Hey Geronimo reminded The AU Review of The Byrds, The Beatles and The Beach Boys. 

4. What have the plastic punchers said about Bake A Cake?

“Left hand turns into hook after hook after hook” – Triple J. 

“A stupidly cheery song” – AAA Backstage. 

“Catchy number” – Mosh Cam. 

5. Which bands have given Hey Geronimo their devil may care attitude? 

Hey Geronimo’s main influences are Weezer, Custard and The Beach Boys.

6. Why should I give Bake A Cake a swish past the ears? 

Bake A Cake is an upbeat number with more sweet innocence than others would have you suppose. 

7. Do Hey Geronimo have any more good tunes?

Stacks. Dreamboat Jack is a top class cracker. I'll Be There is a  sweet beauty that works itself up into a riot, Why Don't We Do Something and The Dan Kelly Song are all just tasters of Hey Geronimo's sunny brilliance.

8. Any more words kemosabe? 

Get on with ya.

“You’ve got to bake a cake from the mistakes you make”

Jim Adkins is the frontman for punk legends Jimmy Eat World. Going through his 'gee I’m just so sure the fans would just love to hear only me and my acoustic; hell no it’s not narcissism, it's for the fans' wank phase, he has actually put together a tune that doesn’t blow donkey balls. I Will Go (2015) is one of six tunes he dropped on an E.P. of the same name and is a Roy Orbison or Travelling Wilburys sounding number. Not total shite.

“The paralyzing truth, I am what I will choose”

The Thermals - Thinking Of You

1.    Who are these heroes?

The Thermals are a punk band from Portland, Oregon. Making magic music since 2002 they have seven long players on their roll of sublime honor. Thinking Of You (March’16) is the third single to come swinging off We Disappear (March’16).

2. What’s on offer?

Thinking Of You has a choppy punk riff and pop harmonies. Both of which are utilized to perfection for two minutes. Nails it. Down tight. Tight.


3. Who are The Thermals like?

Titus Andronicus with a lobotomy. Pop Matters were feeling Green Day's When I Come Around.


4. What is the good word in the rags?

“Blistering offering” – Stereogum.

“A rousing anthem” – Pop Matters.

“Simple, honest, brimming with energy, and catchy as fuck” – Wind Rose Music.



5. Which massive bands had a play in the artistry that is The Thermals?

The Thermals influences include Green Day, Weezer, The Ramones, The Breeders and Speedy Ortiz.


6. Why should I give Thinking Of You a whip through?

The riff.


7. Do The Thermals have any more blinders?

Oh yes. A triumvirate. The first single from We Disappear is the killer Hey You. Now We Can See is stellar. Amazing. Returning To The Fold is essential.


8. Any more words spanner?

Chris Walla, former guitarist for Death Cab For Cutie, produced the new album We Disappear.


 

“I’ve been thinking everything I want to say”

Death Cab For Cutie are an alternative rock band from Bellingham, Washington. Stealing peoples hearts since 1997 they have eight fine long players to talk of. You Are A Tourist was the lead single from the seventh album Codes and Keys (2011), a number one hit and far from a favorite with the critics. Good but.

“When there is a burning in your heart,

Don’t be alarmed”

Coast Modern - Animals

 

 

 

 

1.    Who are these likely looking lads?

Coast Modern are an indie pop band from Los Angeles, California, that started in 2015. Animals (Feb’16) is Coast Modern's second single.


2. What kind of treat are Coast Modern offering?

Animals is a relaxed slow burner with a campfire sing-along vibe that grows on you while the tune has a sly dig at our base instincts.


3. Who do Coast Modern sound like?

Indie Shuffle compared Animals to BORNS, Generationals and The Little Ones.

4. What have the press said about Animals?

“Anthermic and boisterous” – Indie Shuffle.

“Light hearted bounce and a soaring melody” – Pigeons and Planes.

“Clacking percussion and synth excitement” – Consequence Of Sound.

5. Who puts the bubble in Coast Modern’s pop?

Coast Modern’s influences are Weezer, T. Rex, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Mozart and sixties girl groups.


6. Why should I give Animals a lash?

The loosey goosey, carefree musical atmosphere grows on you. Repeat lashings are in your future.


7. Do Coast Modern have any more goodies?

Animals is the gold standard.


8. Any more words?

Coast Modern said, “ ‘Animals’ poses questions I think we all ask ourselves about what we’re doing with our lives, and explores the struggle between animal desires and actualization of a higher self.”

Coast Modern are fluffing for BORNS this May.

“I’ll be an animal ‘till I die”

 

 

Dessert is served by The Sam Roberts band. A Canadian indie rock band from West Mount, Quebec, Sam Roberts has six long players on his roll of honor and his debut album The Inhuman Condition (2001) was one of the biggest selling independent releases in Canadian history. The Last Crusade (2011) was the first American single from Sam Robert’s fourth album Collider (2011) and was described as “a jammy bassline and some 70’s riffs”.

“Gotta keep on, gotta keep on,

Till the ghosts of war come marching in”