The Death Set was originally formed in 2005 in Sydney, Australia by Johnny Siera and Beau Velasco, but soon relocated in Brooklyn, Baltimore and Philadelphia – where the band found more of an audience for its style of spastic, cross genre, punk rock. Don’t miss their show at Lit on 02.19 with Fresh Kills, Spiderfang and… the band with one of the most ridiculous names in the world: Hulk Smash.

In a world where most ideas have been stolen, borrowed or re-fabricated in one form or another, I have grown to appreciate the Brooklyn-based band Sisters. The two piece—neither of which are girls—consists of Aaron Pfannebecker, who sings and plays guitar, and drummer/keyboardist Matt Conboy. Instead of merely copying things from prior generations, Sisters embrace a wide variety of musical installations while exploring new avenues for creating and distorting sound. While Sisters understand the structural greatness and pop aesthetic of Nirvana, the bursting unpredictability of Wire and the hollowed-out frequencies of a My Bloody Valentine record, they haven’t let that stop them from pushing boundaries on the musical daisy-chain. Dubbed one of the Death By Audio “house bands”, Sisters’ music embraces a collage of noise and garage rock with distorted, reverberated guitars and heavily amplified drums. Aaron switches back and forth between high pitched screeches and boyish screams with the uncertainty of Steven Malkamus as Matt jumps off the drums to orchestrate a childlike melody on the keys and making things danceable. Though there are only two members in this band, their live sound packs a major punch and can be a bit overwhelming. Some of you may wanna bring the plugs! Sisters have just wrapped up recording their first full length record, which is scheduled for release in the spring. The duo played some super awesome gigs at CMJ and I was lucky to seize a moment of singer Aaron Phannebecker’s time… Read Lindsey Lawless interview with the band here.

While penciling still lifes in high school art class back in 1997, New Orleans natives Collin Ruffino and David Gross began a friendship that was sparked by a mutual love of music. Twelve years later, the duo calls Brooklyn home as they continue their musical journey with Home Video – an electro/indie rock creation that features a minimalist instrumental approach to music. The band’s debut full length album, No Certain Night or Morning, was released on Defend Music in 2006. The release showcased gloomy symphonic undertones and moody lyrics, which laid the foundation for Home Video’s budding signature sound. It Will Be OK, the twosome’s latest offering, features a new angle in sound and approach for Ruffino and Gross as they ditch their dark, minimalist direction in favor of a lighter sound full of instrumental complexity. Home Video recently spoke to The Deli about being human, winding down with The Wire, and jammin’ on the moon. – Read Cecilia Martinez interview with the band here.