In our never-ending quest to dig up some great bands that cost less than a corned beef sandwich at Katz’s Deli, we bring you another round of Blips. Blips highlights some great bands that are largely still in their larvae stage, but will soon morph into their beautiful butterfly. In this edition, we have some really cool new music, so take a sec, poke around their various websites, and see what you think of these four up-and-coming musical groups…
For me, most bands that have found themselves categorized as jamgrass just don’t do it for me. I like my jam music to rock and show some edge. When Boris Garcia came on the scene as the latest jamgrass sensation I was skeptical that we needed another band in that genre. Then I finally heard there music and I’m having a hard time turning it off. These guys combine the bluegrass stylings of Yonder and Railroad Earth with the hearty rock of folks like Tom Petty and David Lowery of Cracker to create a unique urgent sound that stands out from their peers.
Earlier this month Boris Garcia released a terrific collection of tunes entitled Once More into the Bliss produced by Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone and features guest appearances from Donna Jean Godchaux-McKay, Buddy Cage and Carbone. The band celebrates the release of the album on November 28 at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA. Be sure to catch ‘em while they’re still playing small venues. You won’t be sorry.
In our never-ending quest to dig up some great bands that cost less than a corned beef sandwich at Katz’s Deli, we bring you another round of Blips. Blips highlights some great bands that are largely still in their larvae stage, but will soon morph into their beautiful butterfly. In this edition, we have some really cool new music, so take a sec, and check out these developing artists.
Before the members of The Strokes got married, dated celebrities and went to rehab they put out Is This It? their debut album, which came to define the downtown New York sound of the early aughts. The album sounded dangerous and the Julian Casablancas & Co. were notorious for living the sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle that seemed to go hand in hand with their brash, Velvet Underground influenced sound. It’s been awhile since an album has felt that scuzzy and dirty to me until I heard the music of another New York City-based band - The Virgins.
The band’s self-titled debut is chocked full of songs about all night partying that end with cocaine for brunch, set to a disco-funk-rock sound that combines elements of The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem and VHS or Beta. The Virgins are about to head out for on a three-week tour holding down the opening slot for Black Kids, so head in early and check them out.
In our never-ending quest to dig up some great bands that cost less than a corned beef sandwich at Katz’s Deli, we bring you another round of Blips. Blips highlights some great bands that are largely still in their larvae stage, but will soon morph into their beautiful butterfly. In this edition, we have some really cool new music, so take a sec, poke around their various websites, and see what you think.
On heavy Midwest touring behind the May release of their accurately named album, Speed of Sound, and nine years of tour experience, the Station is finally filling up with passengers ready to hop on the bandwagon (I should get fired for that one). While the band cites Rush, late-era Coltrane, and Skerik as influences, compositionally it’s impossible to ignore the Umphrey’s similarities as they meld intricate melodies and rhythms with touches of metal, funk and reggae. Still, The Station is quick to refute that they sound like pre-existing connotations of the jamband and rightfully so, as they defy categorization. The only deserving categorization that came to mind when listening to their Summer Camp set a couple months ago was music lovers with incredible technical ability and a mean case of ADHD.
Podcast #17: RR1 > Ms Ds jam, Revolving Door, Illuminator, The Plain Truth (Karl Denson Trio), Drink From My Well part 2, Questions, Halfway There [74:53]
If you ever catch yourself in one of those funks where they noodling doesn’t hit the spot, indie rock is too tired, and you just can’t find the cure for what ails ye’, what you need is a dose of Reverend Furry Peyton playing some old time guitar, slide or dobro, “Washboard” Breezy on the washboard, and Jamie Peyton on the drums. Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band does for Delta Blues, what the Dropkick Murphy’s do for Irish Music; they douse it with strong whiskey and light it on fire. The threesome lives up to their ironic moniker by transcending their size in both sound and stage presence. This is a band that is destined for greatness, particularly festival greatness. For summers to come, this band will attract festie stragglers to their stage as the quirky, frenetic sound reels ‘em in like the Banjo Minnow. - Rupert
When the nominees for the New Groove Award were read at the recent Jammy Awards, Massachusetts’ The Brew got the biggest ovation from the crowd. After listening to their new album, Back To The Woods, I can understand why people are so into their music. The Brew has spent the last five years developing a unique songwriting style that combines flashy changes, beautiful lyrics and hooks you just can’t get out of your head. They also know how to kick out the jams behind Dave Drouin’s soaring guitar leads. 2008 looks to be the year that The Brew breaks into the bigtime. You can check ‘em out at moe.down or pretty much any decent sized city in the Northeast over the next few months. Keep your eyes on these guys, they are the real deal. - Scott Bernstein
READ ON for more on Pete Francis, Idan Reichel and the Weather Underground…
In our never-ending quest to dig up some great bands that cost less than a corned beef sandwich at Katz’s Deli, we bring you another round of Blips. Blips highlights some great bands that are largely still in their larvae stage, but will soon morph into their beautiful butterfly. In this edition, we have some really cool new music, so take a sec, poke around their various websites, and see what you think.
Last week I headed down to the Knitting Factory’s Tap Bar to check out Boombox, a band fronted by guitarist Zion Rock Godchaux. Yes, he’s Keith and Donna’s son; but don’t go in expecting to hear Dead tunes. A Boombox concert is a nonstop dance party filled to the brim with lush soundscapes, groovy beats and Godchaux’s smooth lyrics and fretwork. Here’s how the duo’s music works: Producer/DJ Russ Randolph lays down the basic structure of a song for his partner to solo and sing over. The end result kept everyone at the bar on their feet from the moment Boombox took the stage until they finished 90 minutes later.
Read on for more about Boombox and Austin’s White Denim…
In our never-ending quest to dig up some great bands that cost less than a corned beef sandwich at Katz’s Deli, we bring you another round of Blips. Blips highlights some great bands that are largely still in their larvae stage, but will soon morph into their beautiful butterfly. In this edition, we have some really cool new music, so take a sec, poke around their various websites, and see what you think.
You what really turns me on? Chicks with huge balls. Renminbi is a power trio of badass ladies that hold nothing back in creating a flustering stampede of sound reminiscient of Billy Corgan meets Shpongle. These girls will not only impress you with their writing and playing, but they will also knock you flat on your ass. Remnimbi’s musical compositions are noticeably mature as they often teeter the line, but never fully cross, into harmonious resolves. Rather they perpetually build tension and give you a lot of mini-releases, but never succumb to the full release. Justin Lin Yifu, a well-known economist, stated at a recent conference with Chinese officials that, “Renminbi’s rise must be controlled.” To that, we say good luck. - Rupert
Read on for three more bands that have caught our attention…
Today marks the debut of yet another new HT once-in-a-while feature, Blips. Blips is our version of an emerging artists column where we’ll highlight some of the new (not Vampire Weekend) bands that have just started showing up on our radar that might just spark your auditory nerve.
We’re not seeking to turn on the hype machine, but rather just to pick out some bands that still only cost you five or ten samloleans for a solid night of fun. If you’re anything like me and know the URL for the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” site by memory, these might just come in handy.
I caught Turbine at the Knitting Factory a couple weeks ago as part of a typical four band evening. I don’t even remember who we were there to see, but I do remember these guys. Upon hearing their name for the first time, they will probably catch you off guard as the name Turbine makes me immediately think trance-fusion, livetronica or whatever that shit is called these days, but it’s really a burning bluegrass-tinged guitar, an integral, festive harmonica, and versatile drums and bass. Upon seeing one live show, plowing through a few shows on the archive, and spinning through their MySpace page, you can quickly sense that this band is a group of creative songwriters with a love for a whole slew of genres.
There’s no mistaking that this band will evolve, because in just a short 3 years or so, they already have. They terrain covers bluegrass, country blues, straight-ahead rock, and yes, there is some Untz as well.
Read on for more Turbine, as well as three other new bands you need to hear…
