The Districts performed a "secret" show last December, under their alias Eight Legged Prawn, opening for mewithoutYou, who were also billed as Thy Foes Profanely Rage. Out Of Town Films was there to capture the rambuctious four-piece’s set with permission from the group’s record label Fat Possum. The video consists of live performances of the songs "4th and Roebling," Heavy Begs," "Chlorine," "Suburban Smell," and "Peaches." The band is currently touring the U.S., and will be heading over to Europe next month.
The Weaks Providing Power & Polish at Everybordy Hits March 8
Sunday night – one could sit back waiting as Monday lurks in the horizon, or you could stretch the weekend for all it’s worth and head over to Everybody Hits where rambunctious rockers The Weaks spearhead a four-pronged attack. With their debut LP Bad Year scheduled for release April 7 via Lame-O Records, the band offers attitude injected pop-punk that pounces on you with tough yet infectious songs that methodically breakout providing a sense of power and polish. As a hard-driving backend meets precise guitar licks and ever inviting lyrics, the experimental pop-rock outfit Purples eases you into its musical mode with a sense of comfort amid oddball tendencies, placing one in a familiarly warped place. The dreary haze of Queen Jesus also casts a strange embrace, crossing a loner vibe while painting the scenery with swirling pieces of sound. Matt Scheuermann’s personal meditative songwriting finds a focused fortitude as the beauty of Roses locks in a loaded local lineup. Everybody Hits, 539 W. Girard Ave., 9pm, All Ages (Photo by Jessica Flynn) – Michael Colavita
Growl
Hark ye youngin’s, and listen to a tale of ancient musical glory from yer fast-fading elders. Believe it or not, once there was a day when indie was primarily a genre that was less of a particular sound and more of a feeling. Really, it was just a term you used to refer to the weird, maybe rock-ish shit made by people that felt a little different and who didn’t fit into the regular music industry mold. It was weird, and it was kinda awkward and raw, and Growl is a band from Austin that is that weird, kinda awkward raw indie sound done right, and done right now. The record they put out late last December has been entrenched in my daily playlist since I first heard it, and while it’s worth any Austinite’s ear time, those who are into that old sound from the 90s and early 2000s will paritcularly love the Growl. They’re a return to where this shit all came from, and their whole album is available for listening at their Bandcamp link right damn here. Listen, and bathe yourself in the echoes of the memories of late 90s youths.
A Touch of Wisdom From Laser Background at JB’s March 7
With a forthcoming LP Correct already sitting in the can, Laser Background released a new EP Kelly Wisdom earlier this week. The album, whose recording was split between Lake Balaton, Hungary and a cabin in rural Pennsylvania, retains Andy Molholt’s slightly ajar, candy-coated, psych-experiencing sound, implementing synth and drum machine with his distinct, quirky, higher pitched vocals. However, these songs also touch on an internal searching/reflection, anchored beneath that dreamy spider web of instrumentation. This lineup runs deep including the four-piece ensemble of Myrrias, whom take synth-fueled dream pop and augment it with dark, jagged edges, creating hypnotic layers of brooding in the process. Drone Ranger develops a thick, hazy psychedelic atmosphere, inviting your mind to temporarily explore uncharted territory that is guided by a hard-rocking hand. The inventive yet pop sensible tunes of New York’s Zula complete a billing that asks you to reach out without pushing too hard. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Banditos Announce Debut Album 5.12
Banditos just announced the May 12th release of their self-titled debut album via Bloodshot Records. The six piece collective of Birmingham natives have already put in countless miles and several years of sweat and tears before arriving at this album, so rest assured that every one of these 12 originals is road-tested and dive-approved. Their first single, "Cry Baby Cry," boogies out of the gate with hopping piano and rollicking guitar paying homage to newborn rock and roll, while the banjo featured in the breakdown nods to their Americana roots. Nashville was clearly celebrating their adoptive sons and daughter signing onto the Chicago-based label with these past few days of shitty Midwestern weather. Keep up with the band at www.banditosband.com, and preorder the album here. –Terra James-Jura
Fool’s Gold announces new album, shares new video “I’m In Love”
Afro-pop band Fool’s Gold has just announced their third full-length Flying Lessons, which is officially coming out on Record Store Day. They’ve also shared a video for first single "’I’m In Love", a vibrant, colorful display of visuals made of digitalized cut-outs that perfectly encapsulates the band’s festive charm.
You can catch them play a hometown show at The Troubadour on May 14th.
Joe Pug @ The Vic
The new album from Joe Pug, Windfall, is being released next week via Lightning Rod Records. Pug has released two new tracks from the LP, "Burn and Shine" and "The Measure".
You can catch Joe Pug at The Vic on April 11th.
Unwind with Saint Lou This Weekend
Friday nights were made for whiskey drinkin’ and relaxin’, so why not start your Friday evening early with a few tracks from Burlington, VT’s Saint Lou? The group’s latest EP, The Buffalo Tapes, is a great mix of folk/blues/50s doo-wop grooves. It’s the kind of stuff that makes you want to pour a glass of whiskey, kick off your shoes and soak up the weekend. The band will be on tour for a few dates in April and May, with a smattering of gigs in Vermont and NYC.
For more updates about the band and their current shows, click here.
-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Naomi Punk’s Heavy Hooks
Tear off your scabs at the Black Lodge tonight with PC Worship and Chubby Rhapsody or catch them on tour somewhere else:
Ex Cops fight with McDonalds, headline Brooklyn Night Bazaar, head to SXSW
Denmark/NC turned NYC pop band Ex Cops is headed to SXSW, on their own terms. The duo recently got in a spat with McDonalds, a multi billion-dollar corporation who, in the name of "exposure," offered to pay them in nothing but hamburgers. At a few bucks per hamburger, that’s not even close to minimum wage… Yesterday Ex Cops rejected the offer in a Facebook post that went viral – we are sure they won’t have trouble finding free lunch (and drinks) in Austin that week.
The band released their second album, "Daggers," in November. The record features collaborators with Ariel Pink (see streaming track "Tragically Alright") and Justin Raisen, a producer known for his work with Sky Ferreira and Kylie Minogue. If you can’t make it to Austin you can dance with Ex Cops (while trying on sunglasses and neckalces) at Brooklyn Night Bazaar on March 13th. – Leora Mandel
Weekend Warrior, March 6 – 8
Big Neck Police bring their mad math-punk to Aviv on 03.27
Big Neck Police (a band that made our recent Best of NYC 2014 list) is a raw sounding three-piece punk band with metal influences. Their latest EP is a split with fellow New Yorkers, Dog, and is available on Bandcamp. What happens in this EP and who are these people, you ask? Educated guess #1: That cool guy in math class you thought was a total slacker was really just bored because he knew the answers to everything. He grew up and today he spills a bowl of hot soup on himself. At first he screams and falls into things in the kitchen. Then takes a deep breath and stays home from work with a lap of 2nd degree burns. The television hypnotizes him. All of his friends are inside it, only they are all sock puppets on a therapy talk show. They get violent with each other. Dr. Phil helps them talk it out in the end but our guy is already asleep on the couch. You don’t believe me? Check them out live at DIY venue Aviv on March 27. (crazy stuff!) – Leora Mandel