This is fine.
I hope you’ll help me today in welcoming fresh on the scene German rock band Drens. The band has a great, garage pop rock sound best evidenced by their latest single “Curacao”. It features a blend of a guy like Ty Segall with more elements of pop rock music and beautifully constructed melodies. It’s likely we will be hearing more from this band very soon.
After a little chill start to the day, let’s really get into gear here on Monday with a more rocking tune. This jam of a song comes by way of South Wales based outfit French Alps Tiger. The song obviously brings a ton of energy, loud guitars and washed out, effected vocals. For a band who openly wants to keep things fun and engaging, they’ve executed that goal perfectly with “Tell a Lie”.
Duncan Fellows is among a handful of young acts in Austin working really hard to make a big name for themselves; I think “Cursive Tattoo” has them on the right road to breaking out big. The verses have this energetic forcefulness, akin to a lot of the pop punk that blends in with indie rock. But, the chorus is where they flip it on you, almost turning into this California croon style, bringing out this sunny vibe that rises up, spins you around then drops you right back into the band’s crunchy rock element. Fun tune for a Friday afternoon.
As you probably know by now, I am frequently looking for solid rock n roll, fast paced music in a sea of what seems like nothing but slow burner music. Today my friends in Brighton based Strange Cages have this new song entitled “False Prophet Death Waltz” that is fulfilling my rock needs. This song doesn’t mess around as it kicks things off from the moment you hit play with a swirling lead guitar, banging drums and a screeching vocal delivery. Imagine if QOTSA had a more 60s psych rock sound.
Strange Cages will release new EP Silver Queen in September via Vallance Records.
I still regularly play “Bloodsucker,” the 2014 hit from Mozes and the Firstborn; I’ve been waiting for the group to replicate the joy of that song…and today seems to be the day. The Netherlands-based act just delivered a power rocker that’s bound to have you singing the chorus as your car speeds down the road, wind at your back. Give me hooks and chugging chords any day and I’ll be stoked on it. Sometimes the simplicity of pop rock just does it for you; you turn it up, you rock out with a toothy grin and the rest of the world is right. Give a listen won’t you.
Nathan and I are ready to kick off our summer time fun in the next day or so and we need some solid rock jams to power us through the season. Thankfully I’ve just been sent this solid new rocker called “Six Weeks” from Rome based band Crimen. It certainly has a psych rock vibe to it with powerful drums, fuzzy as hell guitars, and a superbly distorted bass riff. Give me more of this please.
Crimen will release Silent Animals on June 29th via Fuzz Club.
It seems that the hype train for Maine based artist Tancred is leaving the station so I better get on board before it’s too late. For me, it’s easy to like an artist who combines pieces of straight forward grunge rock with gritty, yet still refined vocals. Imagine if bands like Joy Formidable and Garbage blended only their best qualities equally to create a female fronted rock opus. That’s what you’ll find with this new single called “Something Else”. Seriously, what’s not to like about this?
Tancred will release new album Nightstand on June 1st via Polyvinyl.
It’s Thursday and I’m ready for the weekend so it’s time to rock out! Thanks to this hit “Waste Me” from Bay Area band The Silhouette Era I can do just that. This one is most definitely for fans of fellow garage rock bands like Wavves or even Surfer Blood (hey a shark!). The guitar riff alone is sure to pull in even the “I prefer soft music” types.
The Silhouette Era will release a new self-titled EP on June 22nd. Pre-orders are up now.
It seems like the dark, new wave pop movement is coming back in full force, and as a fan of the genre, I am in full support of the resurgence. One of the innovators of the revival is Chicago based outfit Ganser. The group creates a dark pop sound full of distorted and slick bass lines with synths and emotional vocals to boot. You should definitely check out this new single “Avoidance” to see what I’m talking about.
Ganser will release new album Odd Talk on April 20th via No Trend Records.
It’s the middle of the week, and you’re likely to need an energetic pick-me-up…and there might not be a better one than this new Bethlehem Steel tune. It toys with you at the opening, just casually riffing, building the tension. Within moments, the volume goes to 11, blasting through your speakers. They fill the track with heavy riffs, though never stray too far away from pop sensibility. Should make for a solid new album, Party Naked Forever…it’ll drop November 10th via Exploding in Sound.
