mitchables
01-27-2009, 06:03 AM
It's been a while since I've plugged many bands here, and I feel like there are a whole lot of crappy topics flooding this forum (okay, largely the grunge- and metal-infested Battle of the Bands) lately so instead of being a laxidaisical Larry about all this I am gonna get proactive and plug bands and artists that I think are very good. I am just gonna list the things I want to plug right now and then leech descriptions and similar artists from last.fm and back it up with some Youtube action because I can't be bothered coming up with witty and unique spins on these, and hearing it will do more justice than anything I could offer. Some are old, some are new, some aren't around anymore, some are just getting their momentum. Whatever, I can't remember who I've whored out to you guys, especially since the search function is dead. All you need to know is I listen to them, and that means it's good. Just ask Baird about my infallible record that even his weird fucking tastes can't resist.
Menomena
"Menomena are an experimental rock band from Portland, Oregon, made up of Brent Knopf on guitar, keyboards, glockenspiel; Justin Harris on bass, guitar, baritone sax and alto sax; and Danny Seim on percussion. All members of the band share singing duties."
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"Similar Artists: TV on the Radio, Wolf Parade, The Sea and Cake, The Microphones, The Most Serene Republic"
Travis Morrison Hellfighters
"For ten years, Travis Morrison was the lead singer and lyricist of The Dismemberment Plan, the Washington D.C. art-rock quartet that made hip-hop, R&B, samplers, and having fun safe for the basement-show punk set. The Plan’s last two records in particular (Emergency & I, and Change, both released on DeSoto Records) are widely considered to be underground classics."
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Unfortunately Youtube only has live footage of the Hellfighters, for whatever reason. But the album is sexcellent.
"Similar Artists: Sweater Weather, SNMNMNM, Seymore Saves the World, Chucky Danger, Fire Flies"
Pivot
"Pivot (Australia) is equally influenced by Synthesizer luminaries Vangelis and Jean-Michel Jarre, Warp label mates Autechre and the post-punk new wave of Talking Heads.
Comprised of Sydney’s brothers Pike, Laurence and Richard, and Perth electronic wunderkind Dave Miller, Pivot’s debut on Warp Records, ‘O Soundtrack My Heart’ came out in August 2008. The first single ‘In The Blood’ came out in May 2008, followed by 7” tour single and video clip for title track ‘O Soundtrack My Heart’, October 2008."
Fucking way to be completely unhelpful, last.fm. Pivot are like experimental instrumental Australian math/post-rock goodness. They are good times.
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"Similar Artists: Laura, Followed by Ghosts, Fridge, Tortoise, Do Make Say Think"
Maritime
"Maritime formed in 2003 out of the ashes of The Promise Ring and The Dismemberment Plan."
That's all that last.fm has to say that is useful and not a giant history lesson. Anyway, Maritime was born of two of the most prominent bands from the late 90s/early 2000s emo and indie scenes, and is like a catchy romp through indie-based pop sensibilities. I enjoy them, and you should too.
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"Similar Artists: The Promise Ring, The Anniversary, Hey Mercedes, The Fire Theft, Rogue Wave"
Pinback
"Pinback is an indie rock band from San Diego, California, currently signed to Touch and Go Records. The band was formed in 1998 by singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Armistead Burwell Smith IV (also known as Zach Smith and a former member of 3 Mile Pilot) and Rob Crow formerly of Thingy, Heavy Vegetable, and Goblin Cock. First acquainted as roommates, they began making recordings in their home, playing along to pre-recorded beats."
And they're one of my favourite bands ever, incidentally.
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"Similar Artists: Rob Crow, Minus the bear, American Analog Set, Rogue Wave, Pedro the Lion"
+/-
"Electronic- Indie-pop group from Brooklyn, NY."
Their stuff "is an eclectic mix of styles ranging from acoustic indie gems, to quirky, punchy xylophone driven tracks, with plenty of reverb".
Generally they seem to use odd time signatures, like 5/4 or 7/8. And their albums are great to listen to because their sound changes a bit between tracks, although it's all still linked by common elements and sounds and things. They are greatness.
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"Similar Artists: Versus, Now It's Overhead, Pinback, Eagle*Seagull, The Stills"
American Analog Set
"The American Analog Set, also known as The AmAnSet, is an indie rock band from Austin, Texas. The group is led by singer and guitarist Andrew Kenny. Additional members include or have included Lee Gillespie, Mark Smith, Craig McCaffrey, Tom Hoff, Lisa Roschmann and Sean Ripple. Their name derives from their preference for analog rather than digital recording media. Formed in 1995, the group has released six full-length albums the latest one being Set Free, which was released on September 20, 2005 in North America.
In October 2005, rumours began spreading across the internet that the group was on the verge of disbanding. The band quickly refuted such rumours, but added that they may not tour again due to their obligations with other projects."
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1CAJ28aFrMw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1CAJ28aFrMw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
"Similar Artists: Pinback, The Sea and Cake, Bedhead, Yo La Tengo, Aloha"
!!!
"!!! (pronounced by repeating thrice any monosyllabic sound. Chk Chk Chk is the most common pronunciation, but they could just as easily be called Bam Bam Bam, Uh Uh Uh, Pew Pew Pew, etc.) is an American dance-punk band from Sacramento, California that formed in Autumn 1996 from the former band members of The Yah Mos, Black Liquorice and Popesmashers."
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"Similar Artists: Out Hud, The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Radio 4, You Say Party! We Say Die!"
Sup. Bound to be something in there you bastards will like.
Menomena
"Menomena are an experimental rock band from Portland, Oregon, made up of Brent Knopf on guitar, keyboards, glockenspiel; Justin Harris on bass, guitar, baritone sax and alto sax; and Danny Seim on percussion. All members of the band share singing duties."
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/crvv47_MTK0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/crvv47_MTK0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
"Similar Artists: TV on the Radio, Wolf Parade, The Sea and Cake, The Microphones, The Most Serene Republic"
Travis Morrison Hellfighters
"For ten years, Travis Morrison was the lead singer and lyricist of The Dismemberment Plan, the Washington D.C. art-rock quartet that made hip-hop, R&B, samplers, and having fun safe for the basement-show punk set. The Plan’s last two records in particular (Emergency & I, and Change, both released on DeSoto Records) are widely considered to be underground classics."
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/krxES6e0L4Y&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/krxES6e0L4Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Unfortunately Youtube only has live footage of the Hellfighters, for whatever reason. But the album is sexcellent.
"Similar Artists: Sweater Weather, SNMNMNM, Seymore Saves the World, Chucky Danger, Fire Flies"
Pivot
"Pivot (Australia) is equally influenced by Synthesizer luminaries Vangelis and Jean-Michel Jarre, Warp label mates Autechre and the post-punk new wave of Talking Heads.
Comprised of Sydney’s brothers Pike, Laurence and Richard, and Perth electronic wunderkind Dave Miller, Pivot’s debut on Warp Records, ‘O Soundtrack My Heart’ came out in August 2008. The first single ‘In The Blood’ came out in May 2008, followed by 7” tour single and video clip for title track ‘O Soundtrack My Heart’, October 2008."
Fucking way to be completely unhelpful, last.fm. Pivot are like experimental instrumental Australian math/post-rock goodness. They are good times.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HK0eCViLgow&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HK0eCViLgow&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
"Similar Artists: Laura, Followed by Ghosts, Fridge, Tortoise, Do Make Say Think"
Maritime
"Maritime formed in 2003 out of the ashes of The Promise Ring and The Dismemberment Plan."
That's all that last.fm has to say that is useful and not a giant history lesson. Anyway, Maritime was born of two of the most prominent bands from the late 90s/early 2000s emo and indie scenes, and is like a catchy romp through indie-based pop sensibilities. I enjoy them, and you should too.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j8veoIE4URI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j8veoIE4URI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
"Similar Artists: The Promise Ring, The Anniversary, Hey Mercedes, The Fire Theft, Rogue Wave"
Pinback
"Pinback is an indie rock band from San Diego, California, currently signed to Touch and Go Records. The band was formed in 1998 by singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Armistead Burwell Smith IV (also known as Zach Smith and a former member of 3 Mile Pilot) and Rob Crow formerly of Thingy, Heavy Vegetable, and Goblin Cock. First acquainted as roommates, they began making recordings in their home, playing along to pre-recorded beats."
And they're one of my favourite bands ever, incidentally.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/831GpgCunWY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/831GpgCunWY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
"Similar Artists: Rob Crow, Minus the bear, American Analog Set, Rogue Wave, Pedro the Lion"
+/-
"Electronic- Indie-pop group from Brooklyn, NY."
Their stuff "is an eclectic mix of styles ranging from acoustic indie gems, to quirky, punchy xylophone driven tracks, with plenty of reverb".
Generally they seem to use odd time signatures, like 5/4 or 7/8. And their albums are great to listen to because their sound changes a bit between tracks, although it's all still linked by common elements and sounds and things. They are greatness.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kpgr4NWPLRc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kpgr4NWPLRc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
"Similar Artists: Versus, Now It's Overhead, Pinback, Eagle*Seagull, The Stills"
American Analog Set
"The American Analog Set, also known as The AmAnSet, is an indie rock band from Austin, Texas. The group is led by singer and guitarist Andrew Kenny. Additional members include or have included Lee Gillespie, Mark Smith, Craig McCaffrey, Tom Hoff, Lisa Roschmann and Sean Ripple. Their name derives from their preference for analog rather than digital recording media. Formed in 1995, the group has released six full-length albums the latest one being Set Free, which was released on September 20, 2005 in North America.
In October 2005, rumours began spreading across the internet that the group was on the verge of disbanding. The band quickly refuted such rumours, but added that they may not tour again due to their obligations with other projects."
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1CAJ28aFrMw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1CAJ28aFrMw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
"Similar Artists: Pinback, The Sea and Cake, Bedhead, Yo La Tengo, Aloha"
!!!
"!!! (pronounced by repeating thrice any monosyllabic sound. Chk Chk Chk is the most common pronunciation, but they could just as easily be called Bam Bam Bam, Uh Uh Uh, Pew Pew Pew, etc.) is an American dance-punk band from Sacramento, California that formed in Autumn 1996 from the former band members of The Yah Mos, Black Liquorice and Popesmashers."
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cBxpgDEmnQc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cBxpgDEmnQc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
"Similar Artists: Out Hud, The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Radio 4, You Say Party! We Say Die!"
Sup. Bound to be something in there you bastards will like.