The Get Up Kids - Better This Way

1.    Who?

The Get Up Kids are an indie rock band from Kansas, Missouri. They started in 1995, rising to fame with the second wave of emo that they later tried hard to dissociate from. The Get Up Kids moved their sound into a more alternative rock realm although they had a large influence on pop punk too (Fall Out Boy and Blink-182 are prominent fans). They have recorded six albums and Better This Way (May’18) is the second single from their E.P. Kicker (June’18).


2. What?

Better This Way is the sound of a band finding a new maturity and sound from new influences. A toned down, grittier, garage rock approach to making a punk song.


3. Who do The Get Up Kids sound like? 

PUP, Cloud Nothings, and The Replacements.


4. What have the press said about Better This Way? 

“The ultra-catchy track barrels towards and anthemic, cathartic chorus” – Consequence Of Sound. 

“An eclectic earworm” – The Fader. 

“Catchy as chlamydia” – YouTube Comments. 

5. Which bands influenced The Get Up Kids?

Weezer, Fugazi, Gang of Four, Jimmy Eat World, and The Foo Fighters.

6. Why should I give this a listen?

These influential old veteran's having another crack at it have created a low-key, but nice, musical moment with the wisdom of age.

7. Do The Get Up Kids have any other crackers?

Maybe.

8. Any more words?

Members of The Get Up Kids played in Spoon and My Chemical Romance.

Spoon are an indie rock band from Texas that started in 1993.  They have influenced bands like Vampire Weekend. Some of Spoon's influences are The Kinks, Iggy Pop and David Bowie. Tear It Down is an album track from their ninth album Hot Thoughts (2017). Exclaim said the album is, “another strong entry in Spoon’s sterling discography” and called Tear It Down a “stomping anthem.” Someone wasn't taking their pills. The tune does have a bit of swagger though.

The Tet Holiday - Statues

1.    Who are these likely lads?

The Tet Holiday are an indie rock band from Oakland, California. Statues (Feb’16) is the title track from their debut long player Statues (Feb’16).


2. What kind of swag have The Tet Holiday got on offer?

Statues is a noisy little indie rocker with the vocals buried a mite in the mire but delivered with desperate passion. Statues virtues grow slowly on you but Tet Holiday know how to make noisy rock with heart, that matters.


3. Who do The Tet Holiday sound similar to?

The Tet Holiday feel The Jesus and Mary Chain, Japandroids and The Replacements are the answer to that question.

 
4. What have the fourth estate said about Statues?

“A fuzzy call and response that’s angular, edgy and unforgettable” – Stereo Embers.

“An undeniably catchy pop-punk anthem” – Front Row Boston.

“Bombastically catchy song” – The Bay Bridged.

5. Who have put the hard in The Tet Holiday’s scrabble?

The Tet Holiday are inspired by The Stone Roses, Oasis, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Dinosaur Jr, Teenage Fanclub, My Bloody Valentine, New Order and R.E.M.


6. Why should I give my ears a sandpapering with Statues?

Don't settle for the songs that give it up too easy. Statues is a diamond in the rough, an essential, rollicking indie rocker just begging to be uncovered through the beautiful, layered, musical textures. Statues is a morish delight.


7. Do The Tet Holiday have any more of these intricate marvels?

A Million is a belter.


8. Any more words?

Singer Andrew Ledford is an Oakland A's fan and his father worked for them so when he was born his picture appeared on the scoreboard.

“We made decisions without thought, kissed in public, lost the plot”

The double dip is from punk musician Mal Blum from New York. Mal Blum is five albums too the good and Better Go comes ripping off the fifth You Look A Lot Like Me (2015). Better Go captures the essence of 90’s indie rock and creates something better, slightly acerbic, with it.

“Oh my god look at all the stuff you’ve got,

Does it make you your loneliness more bearable?”