Beverly - Victoria

 

 

1.    Who are these slippery characters?

Beverly are an indie pop rock duo from Brooklyn, New York. They have been making sweet music together since 2013 and have one long player to brag about Careers (2014). Victoria (Jan’16) is the second single from Beverly’s second album Blue Swell (May’16).
 

2. What kind of track is Victoria?

Victoria is a standard issue alternative rock hit, late eighties early nineties vintage. Frankie Rose's vocals serenely guide the tune while Drew Citron's guitar heroics trace wicked melodic lines and provide the background muscle.
 

3. Who do Beverly sound like?

Hard to avoid the Pixies or Riot Grrrl bands like Sleater-Kinney. Recourse to the experts at Too Many Blogs throws up The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart because their guitarist collaborated on Victoria with Beverly. Beverly guitarist Drew Citron compared Victoria to Donosaur Jr. and Weezer to Stereogum.
 

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

“Ethereal vocals float along waves of gently distorted guitars” – Other Pop.

“An earworm of a song with lo-fi production and a splash of sparkle” – Milk Crater.

“Low-fi dream pop anthem” – Vocododo.

 5. Which bands influence Beverly?

The bands that inspire Beverly are George Harrison, The Amps, The Breeders, Pavement and The Smashing Pumpkins. Throw in R.E.M. Robyn, Stereolab and Broadcast to be a completist.

6. Why should I give Victoria a fling?

Victoria is special for the gritty lead guitar lines Kip Berman throws off like a benevolent king throwing gold coins to the huddled masses and are juxtaposed with the saccharine sweet vocals of Frankie Rose. Victoria pops out of the playlist like a teenagers hard on to demand your attention.

 

7. Do Beverly have any more shiners?

Can a Catholic priest keep their hands off the altar boy?
 

8. Any more good gossip on about Beverly?

Frankie Rose has worked on TV and movie music in Los Angeles and her favorite place to play a gig is Washington DC because of the diversity of people and the closeknit community.

 

“Sometimes you catch a fish and you let it swim”

 

 

 

 

 

Slippery seconds is from The Automatic, a Welsh alternative rock band that started in 1998. The Automatic are influenced by Jarcrew, Muse and Blur and recorded three albums before calling it quits in 2010. Monster (2006) was The Automatic’s one huge hit and came off their debut album, becoming a bit of an albatross around their neck. NME said Monster is a song that “boasts a hook that could disembowel a whale” and was “the catchiest indie hit of the summer.” A song about the monster coming out of people who drink and drug too much Monster is a classic.

“What's that coming over the hill?
Is it a monster? Is it a monster?”

 

 

 

Bienart - Surgeon

 

 

1.    Who is this smooth operator?

Bienart is Cobey Bienart an indie pop rock musician from Chicago, Illinois. Surgeon (Nov'15) is from Bienart's second long player of the same name Surgeon (2015).  

2. What kind of groove is Bienart touting?

Surgeon is a chill out tune. Fat bass and wave licking drum beast underpin smooth, dreamy vocals that float on the breeze. A brief blast of indie guitar at the end sends you off with a smile and something to think about.

3. Who does Bienart sound like?

Radiohead and Drawin Deez say those bastions of reason at Indie Shuffle. Obscure Sound were feeling Beck.

4. What have the cut and paste brigade got to say about Surgeon?

“Easy listening drum beats and an exceptional bass riff” – Indie Trend Setters.
 
“Twangy psych-induced guitars and uplifting vocals culminate in joyous infectiousness” – Obscure Sound.

“A scratchy and intriguing atmosphere and a catchy melody” – Howl And Echoes.

 

 

   

 

 



5.    Which bands have inspired this troubadoor?

 

The bands that put wind underneath Bienart's wings are The XX, Fleet Foxes and Milky Chance. Hudson Branch influences are My Morning Jacket, Paul Simon, Wilco and Radiohead.

 

6. Why should I give Surgeon a chance?

 

Surgeon is a song about finding love and you'll improve your chances with the one you love with this mood making groove.

 

7. Does Bienart have any more treasures in the chest?

 

Take What's Mine is another dreamy low key lovely with acoustic guitar to the fore.

 

8. Any more pearls of wisdom regarding Bienart?

 

Cobey Bienart is the guitarist and vocalist with his brother in the band Hudson Branch. The band have a handful of albums to their name.

 

 

“I got cold of trying to shoulder the load,

Set the things in stone, leaves you no room to grow”

 

 

 

Dessert is served by Derrival, an indie rock band from Vancouver, Canada. Derrival have one long player Youth Captured (2013) to their name and today's gem, Original Script (2015) is a stand alone single. Compared to Two Door Cinema, Young The Giant, CHVRCHES and Phoenix, Original Script has “a pulsing rhythm that will have you dancing for weeks.”

 

“And you pretend to be a so-called actress,
But you're just a pretty little thing in a black dress”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nada Surf - Cold To See Clear

1.   Who are these trippers?

Nada Surf are an indie rock band from New York City who have been tearing it up since 1992. The band have eight long players to choose from and Cold To See Clear (Feb’16) slips of the eighth, You Know Who You Are (March’16).

2.   What kind of gem have we got here?

A unique one. Simon and Garfunkel in the opening blows but a four to the floor chorus takes glorious flight. The vocals are everywhere from crooning to high register meanders to heart felt imploring. Cold To See Clear is radio friendly indie rock with a slathering of eclectic sauce.

3. Who do Nada Surf sound like?

The Wallflowers or Matchbox Twenty. Fuck me sideways but NPR went straight to Weezer! But realising they were flying into the face of ridicule they threw in a quick curve ball with The Flaming Lips addition.

4. What do the cut and paste merchants have to say about Cold To See Clear?

“Infectious drum beat wrapping warmth and and harmonies together.”- Live and Die In Music.

“Driving but warmly produced, with instantly memorable melodies.” - Brooklyn Vegan.

5. Who gave Nada Surf their groove?

Nada Surf's influences are Lou Reed, Frank Black, The Flaming Lips, old school punk and Leonard Cohen.

6. Why should I give Cold To See Clear a shufty?

There is an aching beauty to the chorus of Cold To See Clear a driving beat and the vocals are outstanding. Cold To See Clear is Nada Surf's best song since Popular.

7. Do Nada Surf have any more rollicking numbers?

Yeah. Popular was a massive hit in the 90's and no wonder. Sharp tune.

8. Any more wonder words dear scribe?

Nada Surf have said Cold To Be Clear is about, “moments of clarity and light and hope and positivity that sprout up to our surprise. The feeling of awakening you can get in winter when you open the window to see what the air feels like outside, that awakening gives me instant peace at some animal level.”

Nada Surf played an Iggy Pop tribute with Joey Ramone where they smashed out some of Iggy and The Ramones most popular tunes. Sounds like a blast.

 

“Whatever I do, the radio took me,

the radio, radio made me,

What can I do but dream?”

 

Slippery seconds is popping. Husbands are a popular French synth pop band singing in English. I don't know jack shit about them but the tune You, Me, Cellphones (2013) is enough for anyone to love them. Beck mixed with MGMT if you must. The gang chorus is as sticky as a rapist in church. Get amongst it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Magic Gang - Jasmine

1.   Who are the arseholes scratching the velvet?

That would be the Magic Gang an indie pop rock band from Brighton, England. The Magic Gang have been bashing out the melodies since 2013 and Jasmine (Dec'15) bubbles off their E.P. named E.P. Really. The Magic Gang have two singles and a short player to their name.


2. What kind of treat are The Magic Gang serving up?

A relaxed swinging indie pop tune with sweet harmonies and handclaps. A little understated rumble pops to the fore from the rhythm section and just the drums and a mass singalong in the middle eight. Sweet as an ass you could bounce a dime off.


3. Who do The Magic Gang sound like?

Hints of a low key Weezer; go to band that they are. Drunkenwolf were feeling One Direction. NME compares The Magic Gang to Wolf Alice and Happyness.

4. What have the goon squad got to say?

“A perfect pop number out of intentionally rusty tools.” – DIY.

“Shuffling, sensitive indie pop that’s full of heart and lighters in the air atmosphere.” – NME.

“Light on the frills and heavy on the melody. Purveyors of perfect pop.” – When The Gramosphone Rings.

5.   Who puts the bounce in The Magic Gangs stride?

The Magic Gang are influenced by rhythm and blues, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Tame Impala and 50's and 60's influenced traditional pop songs with a hint of Motown.


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

Jasmine is a sleepy track with big drum and a gang singalong. Fun.


7. Have The Magic Gang got any more crackers?

Yep. No Fun is like Weezer and the Pixies. It brings the noise.


8. Any more juice to squeeze out of this orange?

Jasmine was produced by Dreamtrak who has put the gloss on music for rock gods Foals and Swim Deep.

The Magic Gang went to Jamaica to lay down a track with legends Sly & Robbie.

The Magic Gang have been fluffers on tour for Wolf Alice and Swim Deep.

‘Jasmine it’s true, I’ve waited here for you,

without this heart of mine, you’ll be doing fine”

The double dip is from The Bots, a garage rock duo from Los Angeles and they are brillaint. Just fucking brilliant. These good bastards have been compared to The White Stripes , The Black Keys and Blur (if every song was Song 2) but that only hints at the half of it. The Bots have launched one big player into the world Pink Palms (2014) an album Clash Music described as, “sweat and soul splattered across a fast tempo and a ragged amplifier.” The Bots have a handful of singles and short players. Blinded (2015) comes hurtling off their debut album.

“Finger to the bone, but I can't get you off my mind”

A Giant Dog - Sex & Drugs

 

 

1.   Who is this motley crew?

A Giant Dog are a rock’n’roll band from Austin, Texas. They met in high school and have been grooving together since 2008. The band have three big ones and Sex & Drugs pops off the third Pile (May'16).

2. What flavor are they peddling?

Sex & Drugs is a quirky little ditty that bustles with sporadic bursts of big guitar and lashings of wild piano.

3. Who do A Giant Dog sound like?

British indie. Like Felix Hagan & The Misfits on valium. Yes, valium. Quite sure actually. Add Supergrass' Alright on the side.

4. What have those denizens of the fine guides to music got to say about Sex & Drugs?
 
“Here to rock your sweaty, tattered, yellowed socks off.” – Independent Music News.
 
“Springy guitar strums, bright vaudeville-esque piano, and shimmer galore.” – Stereogum.

 

“A full-fisted swipe of A Giant Dog’s drama rock.” – CMJ.

 

 

5. Who do A Giant Dog get their flare from?

A Giant Dog are influenced by The Velvet Underground, Bo Diddley, The Seeds, The Kinks, David Bowie, The New York Dolls, Black Flag, The Coasters, The Four Tops, Sam Cooke and Big Pup.

6. Why should I give Sex & Drugs a moment of my precious time?

If a snotty English indie band covered a Rocky Horror Picture show tune that was about imbecilic American existential angst, but it was fun, then you'd have Sex & Drugs. Go on, you know you want to.

7. Do A Giant Dog have any more big swingers?

Two big swingers to be precise. Teasin' Ass Bitch sounds like Joan Jett and the Heartbreakers with a sense of purpose and Another World rolls sweet with a pinch, a proper pinch, of ska punk.

8. Any more good words about these hard working souls?

Mike McCarthy’s is on controls. He recorded A Giant Dog's second album and has gone to bat for bands like Spoon, White Denim and Trail of Dead.

“Let our friends all die,

But I know,

Cos I’m too, old to die, young”

Stirring the porridge is the indie rock band The Holidays. From Sydney, Australia, The Holidays have been on a roll since 2006 and have two long players under the bed. Tongue Talk (2014) slides off the second album Feel (2014) and is a tune Adam Not Eve felt “has all the makings of becoming a festival anthem.”

 “Going through all these limp gymnasts”

 

PAWS - No Grace

1. Who are these cruisers?

PAWS are an indie punk rock band from the mean streets of Glasgow, Scotland. No Grace (Feb'16) comes hurtling off their third album of the same name No Grace (June'16). PAWS have been mixing it up since 2010.

2. What kind of lavish goody is No Grace?

A relatively mellow, rattling, melodic pop punk rallying cry and musical call to arms.

3. Who do PAWS sound like?

Pitchfork were feeling Titus Andronicus. A little Blink-182 Brooklyn Vegan think.

4. What have the doyens of good taste got to say about No Grace?

“Full-on pop mode, though it retains just enough grit to give it a sense of danger. – AV Club.

“It's the song you sing when you get kicked in the teeth; the decision you make to get back on your feet and rattle off another punch.” – Fat Cat Records.

“There’s clearly a little ‘Dude Ranch’ coming through on this.” – Brooklyn Vegan.

 

5. Which bands put the polish on PAWS Doc Martins?

They are all big fans of The Buzzcocks and English punk in general. Some love for Kim Deal (The Pixies, The Breeders) has been expressed. This site takes a punt on Weezer, Dinosaur Jr. and The Ramones.


6. Why should I give No Grace a swish?

God honest in lyric and intent No Grace is a heartfelt ode to the grimey business of entertaining you. the blunt expression of truth bleeds through No Grace both lyrically and musically. Give it a crack.

7. Do these Scottish whippersnappers serve up any more tasty treats?

Sure. Get your snout in the trough. Sore Tummy has a cleaner, big sound and it won't kill you. Catherine 1956 ditto.


8. Any more juicy gossip to share about PAWS?

No Grace was produced by Blink-182 frontman Mark Hoppus.

PAWS have been on fluffing duties for Japandroids, Bleached, We Are Scientists, The Cribs, Mates of State and The Breeders.

PAWS had a kerfuffle with Morrissey calling him a hasbeen and, “... a classic example of why the music industry is still awash with disgusting garbage.” Morrissey used his star clout to have a gig We Are Scientists and PAWS were doing stopped.
 

“Punched out and smashed in the teeth,

These boys have done their bleeding,

Pouring their sweat songs in hope,

Into a dying blackhole”


 

 

The double dip is from The Elementary Penguins an indie rock band from Amsterdam, Netherlands. The band have one album Weekend Transition (2014) on their resume. Pitch Black is the debut single from the album and a rumbling, stomping, euphoric rocker. Voted one of the best indie rock songs of 2014 by Indie Rock Playlist, Pitch Black has British classic rock and glam rock, stylings and an arse shaking chorus. Not to be missed champs.


 

“Hey! You feel alive,

Wait! The sin is mine,

Say! You’re sick of waiting”