Though German metal truly rocks, New Yorkers will be happy to discover that the Tacoma-based, Brooklyn-transplanted Oberhofer is a bit more mellow…something like MGMT rather than Rammstein. And if names can be deceiving, why not age? At 19, Brad Oberhofer transforms youthful emotional exaggerations into mature articulations of feeling, while retaining that messy rawness. “AWY FRM U” with its ADHD drumming style and frantic guitars is a perfect example — "You’re pushing me away from you/Oh and I know what I’ll do/I’ll hop the fence/So I can get out of this mess." Oberhofer showcases simple, imaginative lyrics from the mind and heart of someone in synch with his feelings, especially when they’re confused or contradictory, as feelings often are. His recorded vocal has a psychedelic, surf-like quality, with lots of “ooo’s”, like he’s arriving from some far off place – perfect, for say, a Sobe commercial featuring a near-nude Ashley Greene on the beach (the genius “o0Oo0Oo” soundtracks the spot). – Read Paul Dunn interview with the NYC scene’s favorite teenager here.