The Hives - Rigor Mortis Radio

 

1. Who are The Hives? 

The Hives are a garage rock band from Fagersta, Sweden. They have been making music since 1993 and Rigor Mortis Radio (July, 2023) is the third single off their sixth album The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons (Aug, 2023). 

2. What kind of song is Rigor Mortis Radio? 

Rigor Mortis Radio is a jaunty radio-friendly garage rock song with hand claps and wide appeal to the masses about having the confidence to live life your own way. It carries just enough spark of originality to survive on my playlist as a guilty pleasure. 

3. Which bands do The Hives sound like? 

They are often compared to bands like The Jets, The Vines, The Fratellis, The Von Bondies.  

4. Which bands influenced The Hives? 

Their early influences are said to be Rancid, The Dead Kennedys, Turbo Negro, and New Bomb Turks. 

5. What did the sycophants in the press say about Rigor Mortis Radio?

"Swaggering" - Stereogum.

"Feral energy, a garage punk fizzer to sit along the greats" - Clash Music.

"A slice of grinding stomping and insanely infectious Garage Punk - 100 Word Song Review.

"Here's how much longer I can stand your shit,

I'm gonna hold it back, this tongue in crack,

It's gotta end I'm not an evening snack"

Dead Natives - Keep This In Mind

1. Who are the Dead Natives?

Dead Natives are an indie rock band from London. They formed in 2015 and so far they  only have singles and E.P's to show for themselves. Keep This In Mind (Feb'18) is a stand alone single.


2. What kind of song is Keep This In Mind?

Keep This In Mind bursts out of the traps with layered guitars reminiscent of Oasis when they were vital. The tune has some strut, laying down snarling lyrics about living large as a free spirit,“Yeah, I’ll burn the candle at both ends baby, but I don’t live in hypocrisy, ” before the chorus rises on a Nirvana-lite explosion before swirling into psych-rock eddies. An assured outing from these ne'er-do-wells.

3. Who do Dead Natives sound like?

Darlia, Oasis, and Kasabian.

4. What have the rags said about Keep This In Mind?

“Tighter than previous music” – Emerging Indie Bands.

“90’s grunge sounds with indie riffs” – Halfway2Nowhere.

“Bold and swaggering” – Gigslutz.   

5. Which bands have influenced Dead Natives?

Oasis, Catfish and The Bottlemen, and Blossoms.

6. Why should I give the tune a spin? 

Quite the mélange of influences.

7. Do they have any other bangers?

No. But I Got Menace isn't too shabby.

8. Any extras?
Nah.

 “You tell me I’m a fool for the things I say”

Dead! are an indie rock band from London. Golden Age Of Not Even Trying (Oct'17) is the title song from their debut album Golden Age Of Not Even Trying (Jan'18). Their style veers wildly from hardcore punk to emo and rock. They have been compared to Palaye Royale, My Chemical Romance, and Creeper. Clash said the album, “nailed the knack of constructing brash, ballsy, and boisterous sonic burning effigies.” The album is choc full of fucking bangers. The song Golden Age Of Not Trying sounds like peak The Killers but it's just an entry level taster from a vital new band.

“It’s rare to stand by anything we say,

These days we are all whores”

The Crispies - Ring My Doorstep (feat. Superfertig)

1. Who are The Crispies? 

The Crispies are a garage/punk band from Vienna, Austria. They have been raising Valhalla since 2014 and Ring My Doorstep (March'17) is the fourth single from their debut album Death Row Kids (Oct'16). 

2. What kind of tune are they kicking it with?

Ring My Doorstep is a primal re-invention of Queen's Will We Will Rock You; stripped down to the bone and with grit not glam. Hip hop and punk rock come together into a song that swaggers into the party, oozing intensity and as cool as fuck. Slam-poet Anna adds some twist to the vodka.

3. Who do The Crispies sound like? 

The Orwells, PARTYBABY and The White Stripes. 

4. What is the good word from the press in regards to Ring My Doorstep? 

“Loud and raw” – Spill Magazine. 

“We call it strut-rock” – Super World Indie Tunes. 

“A punk manifesto” – FYH.

5. Which bands have inspired The Crispies? 

They have some love for Ezra Furman and Bass Drum Of Death.

6. Why should I listen to Ring My Doorstep? 

Because you love We Will Rock You. Because you want to listen to young wolves tearing it up. Because you want to listen to a band that matters.

7. What are The Crispies best songs?

Bad Blood is visceral. Noose'N'Go is a lackadaisical rattler. Outta The Sun races out of the blocks, primitive and dangerous. 

8. Any last words? 

The band all graduated music college together and are all left-handed. Makes for a convenient circle jerk.

“Said I’m lookin’ for a girl, need a woman”

St. Tropez are a garage punk band from Amsterdam, Holland. They have been tearing it up (in their recent reincarnation) since 2014 and have one long player in the vault. St. Tropez’s favorite music varies from Dinosaur Jr. and Wilco to Bach. They sound like Beck crossed with The Stooges. Democracy (Feb’17) is the lead single from their E.P. Debate (Feb’17) and is a greedy garage riff backing a hip hop influenced vocal delivery with a harsh word to say about the current political climate. 

“Are you scared to fight? Are you scared to choose?”

FEARS - The Squeeze

1. Who are these critters?

FEARS are an alternative rock’n’roll band from London, England. Birthed in 2016 the gentlemen have an E.P. and a single to their names. The Squeeze (April'16) is the single. 

2. What kind of racket is The Squeeze?

The Squeeze is sawdust on the floor, sideways glances brimful of malice, creaking leather and the stench of whiskey and smoke. Standard issue, straight up the middle, bluesy rock'n'roll made to the highest standards. A tasty big stomper with swagger.

3. Who do FEARS sound like?

Royal Blood, The Family Rain and The Quireboys. 

4. What have the press said about The Squeeze?

“Blistering hot track” – Real Rock And Roll.

“Vivacous rock’n’roll with a fuzzed up, serrated edge” – The Indie-pendent.

“A raucous statement full of revitalized distorted energy” – Planet Mosh. 

5. Which bands have put the boot into FEARS? 

No knowledge. But if The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin don't figure than I am a Chinaman.


6. Why should I give The Squeeze a flick past the ears?

The Squeeze is the sound of an up-and-coming band ripping and tearing it up. Balls in a vice. The real squeeze.


7. Do FEARS have any more of these smash and grabbers?

Early doors mate. Early doors.


8. Anything else?

Not a dicky.

“You can count on your fingers every time you told the truth”

The Quireboys are a hard rock band from London, England. They formed in 1984 and are still going strong. The band have recorded about ten albums over the years. The Quireboys debut album A Bit Of What You Fancy (1990) was the only one that mattered and the only one to chart; making it to number 2 on the U.K. album charts. Then it was all downhill from there. Hey You (1989) is the hit single from the album and The Quireboys signature song, a song Rush On Rock called “a bonafide rock anthem.”

“I caught you out, no word of a lie,

Seen you walking with another guy”

Lemaitre - Closer

1. Who are they?

Lemaitre are an indie electronic band from Oslo, Norway, who fight out of Los Angeles.  The duo have been together since 2010 and have six EP’s to their name. Closer (June’15) bubbled off their latest short player 1749 (Jan’16).

 

2. What have they got?

Closer soars on vocalist Jennie A's smooth vocals and bangs with fat bass and sassy brass. An indie pop banger with a side of electronica that will get the dead dancing.

 

3.  Who do Lemaitre sound like?

Daft Punk and Chemical Brothers.

 

4. What have the press said about Closer?

“Electrifying mix of bass lines and brass” – Blushing Panda.

“A funky, trumpet filled vibe fest you can’t help but groove to” – Fist In The Air.

“A piano and horn combo that will light a fire of swagger in your belly” – The Burning Ear.
 

 

5. Which bands have put Lemaitre on the good foot?

The main Lemaitre influences are Daft Punk, Boys Noize, Crystal Castles, Ratatat, Justice and Deadmau5.

 

6. Why should I give Closer a bash?

Closer is sweet love at first sight and bounces big.
 

7. Do Lemaitre have any more good un’s?

High Tide is white boy funky.

 

8. Any more words?

Lemaitre like playing Minecraft and skateboarding.

 

“Oh I dream of the lazy days”

 

 

 

Pegase are a French indie dream pop band. Playing together since 2008 they have one long player in the vault. Well Bell sashays off their second album Another World (May'16). Well Bell is an infectious, dreamy, pop number that drifts by like puffy white clouds on a light breeze of a summers day. Paris Match thought Well Bell is “rhythmic and punchy.” Bit random.

“The fire walks with me”

 

 

 

 

Sticky Fingers - Outcast At Last

1.    Who are these crackups?

Sticky Fingers are a reggae rock band with psych stylings and they roll out of Sydney, Australia. The band have two long players in the vault and Outcast At Last (March’16) is the lead single from their third album due this year.

 

2. What’s shaking the foundations?

Outcast At Last is a massive reggae rock tune with a side of the Manchester Sound as practiced by The Happy Mondays, Stone Roses and others of that ilk. Outcast At Last bubbles along like big farts hammered out in the bath and it oozes stomp and swagger.


3. Who do Sticky Fingers sound like?

The new tune Outcast At Last is a little bit Arctic Monkeys-esque say Music Feed.


4. What have the muppets in the press said about Outcast At Last?

“A stanking groove” – ABC.

“A big wall of sound” – Project U.

“Packing a stomping groove riff” – Music Feeds.

5. Which bands have put the bobble in Sticky Fingers’ hip shakers?

The bands that influenced Sticky Fingers are Fat Freddy's Drop, Gorillaz, Pink Floyd, King Tide, Cold Chisel, You Am I, Arctic Monkeys and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Sticky Fingers have expressed mad love for The Clash's sprawling masterpiece, the triple disc, Sandinista.


6. Why should I give Outcast At Last a whirl?

Modern Mancy gold from an Ocker reggae rocker. What's not to love! Outcast At Last is as funky as James Brown's dick cheese in his crazy days.

 
7. Do Sticky Fingers have any more of these bouncers?

Gold Snafu is the place to start and How To Fly is, as they say, so laidback it's horizontal. There's plenty to crack on with.


8. Any more words fool?

The new third album is being mixed and produced by Dann Hume from Evermore who has done same for Lisa Mitchell.

“It’s the mystic that surrounds her enema she can’t control”

It would be rude not to crack on with some of New Zealand’s Hallelujah Picassos. Started in 1988 as a garage punk band they embraced a wild variey of styles including punk, reggae, rap, ska, thrash, jazz and pop. Leaving four long players as their legacy Hallelujah Picassos are most famous for their reggae tune Rewind (1994) but Clap Your Hands (1989) is a crazed gospel, punk, dub, slice of glittering gold their fans love best.  

“Shoot it up, shoot it up, shoot it up for Jesus”

 

 

Strangers You Know - Used

 

 

 

1.   Who are these chaps?

Strangers You Know are an indie folk pop band with some electric influences from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. They have been together since 2013 and have one long player in the bag. Used (Jan'16) comes off their second shorty Pre/Post (March'16).

2. What kind of tune does Used throw up?

Big bearded hipster chic comes to mind but that would be unfair. Used is a deep, rootsy, desert number with a gospel feel and sparsh accompaniment. Violins and layered vocals add some meat to the songs sun bleached bones. Used rolls with a suave folkiness that belies the bands years and with the kind of gravitas to make many a believer.

3. Who do Strangers You Know sound like?

Good golly miss Molly. Used sounds like The Score's Oh My Love or The Young Wild's Not A One. Coincidentally thats three bands in a row from L.A. There must be something in the weed out there. And, of course, The Avett Brothers.

Strangers You Know have been compared to The Beach Boys, Grizzly Bear, Band Of Horses and Cute Is What We Aim For.

4. What have the cut and paste brigade got to say about Strangers You Know?

Slim pickings compadre, slim pickings. The reviews are out on Used. About Strangers You Know's music in general Broadway World said it has a “thoughtful and poignant side, with intoxicating melodies and raw, heartfelt lyrics.” The Linfield Review highlighted the band's “ability to cross genres smoothly,” and Music Of My Mind praised the band's “solid pop-laced, indie-rock melodies and a confident swagger.” 

 

 

 

5. So which bands have influenced Strangers You Know's music?

The band get their bubble and pop from The Beatles, Beck, Kacey Musgraves and The Avett Brothers. Desert Sun intimated Strangers You Know are influenced by Coldplay, Willie Nelson, First Aid Kit and The Roots.

 

6. So why should I listen to Used?

As the immortal Stone Roses said This Is The One. Used is the game changer for Strangers You Know. Lightning has struck. Used is a fully fledged, soulful, pop folk masterpiece.

 

7. Do Strangers You Know have any more gems in the safe?

Is the Pope a Catholic? Attention will get yours. A very funky pop rock number with an assist from the sax. Be It wants to have fun and it is.

 

8. Are there any other pertinent facts to share?

There are my fine fellow and fellowettes. Strangers You Know have said the first two songs they released on Pre/Post, like Used from the new EP to be released in March, are a critical examination of Los Angeles harsh hookup culture and “follows drunken infatuation and the impact of sobering reality.” 
 
On the topic of their ability to effortlessly mix genres Adam Haagen revealed that “we are hoping to fully encapsulate the feelings you’d have at an Indie rock show, a Country hoe-down and a deep house club. From Banjos to Drum machines, we’re looking to blur the line.” 

In an interview with Crescentvale Adam tells an amusing tale of an FYF Festival after party and playing drums with the bass player from Guns'N'Roses and the keyboardist with Queen. He also gave it up on his compadre Grady singing in a trailer with Lorde and Fume. Way to represent Down Under.

Strangers You Know will be playing the Bottle Rocks and Coachella Festivals this year.

“I’m always straight with you

I wonder why you’re hiding from the truth”

 

 
 

Dessert is served today with the help of Strangers You Know’s musical inspiration The Avett Brothers. The American indie folk rock band hail from North Carolina and combine a raft of genres to make music described as having “the heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop precision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of The Beatles, the raw energy of The Ramones.”

The Avett Brothers have found critical acclaim and mainstream success, their last two studio albums featuring in the Top 5 of the US Billboard Charts.  Live and Let Die (2012) was one of three singles from their most successful album to date The Carpenter (2012).  Sit back and enjoy the magic.

“Left like a pharaoh,
sing like a sparrow anyway.
Even if there is no land or
love in sight”