The Pioneers of Seduction sure have a sense of humor – but also some (truly) kick ass punky tunes played with flair (which is as important as the kick ass part…). Some songs make us think of a less compromising, MUCH dirtier version of The Strokes, with a guitar sound reminiscent of early Foo Fighters (without slipping in the neo-grunge trap), while others like "Kurash" come across more like exercises in reinventing punk-rock. We are particularly enjoying "I want to wake up beautiful" (another witty title!), with its tense verse in spoken word and even tenser one note chorus. Minimalistic, but effective, like all the best punk tunes. Their record (produced by Steve Albini) sounds just right. You may want to check these guys out at Fontana’s in the LES – they’ll have a residency there in April on Wednesdays, for dates see here.

P.S. I know Steve, I said you produced the record, and you hate that, because with false modesty you like to say that you are just an engineer… well, you produced this, liar!

“The Mini Jack White” is what the New York Post has termed Jack Skuller, which we find a little misleading, but improvable by adding the words "…playing Rock’n’Roll in his teens". Skuller’s EP, "Love Is A Drum," is a catchy, energetic and lively collection of old style rock’n’roll songs (also covers) that have the potential to charm pretty much everybody from babies to grampas (probably not NYC’s hipsters though). Skuller’s cover of “Get Rhythm” is fresh and vibrant and his original song “Love Is A Drum” (which could have been written in 1957) shows that the boy can write songs. To allow comparisons with Mr. White, though, we need some "evil" thrown in the mix – considering Skuller’s young age, there’s definitely time to develop it.- Leah Tribbett

We keep covering one by one all the artists that made our Best of NYC Emerging Artists 2010 Poll here.

Dense and heavy, Twin Stumps won’t make you think of tree stumps at all, but rather massive, moss-covered (evil) trees. The kind of trees that, were they to ever swing fists, would rule the forest – as if the Lord of the Rings’ Ents had joined Mordor instead. Drenched in fuzz, vocals scream over the grinding pulse. Gleefully dark and pounding, Twin Stumps channel hardcore and industrial with a post-punk sensibility — there is method to this madness, although we may not know what it is. We just have to take the chance and trust where the path leads us, even if it is into an seemingly sinister wood. – allison levin

On Monday 4/4/11 The Vandelles will play The Knitting Factory, promoting the just released EP "Summer Fling", one of the best shoegazer/noise rock records coming out of NYC as of late. We are looking forward to hearing live the single "Get Around", which comes at you with a "whoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hooo" as super fuzz guitars are matched against thundering drums, and "Summer Fling" with its dark and deep tone, cascading vocals, and guitar atmospherics. Fans of Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine should be there! – Dave Cromwell

DC’s power-pop band Club Scout are taking the Black Cat stage this coming Wednesday April 6th to celebrate the release of their self titled 7" limited edition vinyl. On the record are two of their most popular songs "A Rotten Scoundrel", a classic punk track infused with Queens of the Stone Age-ish piano bursts, and "England for the English", a melodic power-pop tune full of scuzzy guitars and memorable lyrics which you can hear below.

Black Cat/ Doors @ 8:30/ $8

Ido, a film maker finishing his debut road trip feature film shot in Israel film ‘Never Too Late’ and Estelle, who works at an easy-to-use website-builder start up called Wix.com formed – in Brooklyn in 2007. The duo operates in charming and delicate lo-fi indie pop territory, and aspires to create, “Memorable, melodic tunes that will last forever. And a substantial audience who love and understand what we do.” – Read Gina Alioto’s interview with the band here.

Understated and yet extremely powerful, Callers‘ sophomore album “Life of Love” plays at times like a stripped down, subdued version of your favorite ‘90s indie rock band, consisting of serious guitar and percussion mastery while channeling the voice of a new Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries. In other corcumstances the band sounds like pure and simple "avant-blues", mixing Portishead’s simplicty, Nick Cave’s powerful darkness, and Sonic Youth’s resolving dissonances. With a diverse background and a passion to challenge their musical creativity, the Callers are sure to bring inventive music and dazzling vocal command to wherever their travels take them. Don’t miss these guys’ show at Bowery Bowl on 04.14. – Read Christina Morelli’s interview with the band here.

Brooklyn singer/songwriter and composer Ben Lear recently released his debut album, "Lillian: A Folk Opera" on March 1st, through his own record label, Underwater Sounds. Lear is also a spokesman for plastic pollution and ocean conservation, themes that weave themselves in and out of his songs. These are tied together by a strongly optimistic feel, with tracks like “It’s A War” containing lyrics like “Still, my heart flew out to her/Like a bird in a glass cage.” Lear’s music, also thanks to the occasional contribution of gentle female voices, is an appropriate match for this season – it’s like flowers blooming and a fragrant breeze wafting over you. Getting yourself a copy of "Lillian: A Folk Opera" is a choice you certainly won’t regret. – Leah Tribett

Although the members of Diet Kong removed themselves from the concrete jungle by shacking up in a winery in the Catskill Mountains, the results of the recording session on "Beautiful Blackout" still exude the frenetic, vibrant energy of the city – possibly even more so than the trio’s previous set of songs. The slicker production and addition of live drumming on this release contribute to the band’s growing sound. Diet Kong’s brand of dance rock is a mixture of LCD Soundsystem’s sophistication, The Cars’ pop sensibility and The Ting Ting’s spunk. When singer Jenn Penn and singer/guitarist Keith Gladsyz weren’t raising livestock, enjoying the bucolic lifestyle and meeting the band’s soon-to-be drummer, Jeff Harrigfeld, they were honing their songwriting skills. The proof is in the pudding; just take a listen to any of the five tracks on “Beautiful Blackout.” By the time the chorus kicks in the second time, you’ll be singing along and wondering why this band has been running under the radar the past few years. Diet Kong will play live at The Studio at Webster Hall on April 6. – Nancy Chow

Full disclosure: Mixel Pixel are the favorite band on the planet of The Deli’s Editor in Chief’s wife – she repeatedly insisted that he put them on the cover of the NYC printed edition of The Deli Magazine, but so far he has resisted this pressure. For no particular reason though, because this is a truly fantastic, imaginative and fun band, that was featured in the very first issue of The Deli back in 2004. Mixel Pixel has just released this new video of the song "Haze For Days". The clip is totally animated – made from claymation, reminiscent of Pee-Wee’s playhouse. The intricate narrative is like an "exploding sketchbook" brought to you by director Lindsay Kovnat, who has previously worked with Man Man and Plastic Little.

Just released, "Dreams of a Troubled Man" can only be the latest LP release from new artist Troubled Andrew. This former pro Snowboarder began his musical career in 2004 after a injury kept him at home surrounded by his wife, Santigold’s (aka Santi White) musical equipment. Troubled Andrew mixes a surf/indie/pop style that has gained the attention of fellow musicians Yelawolf, Diplo, and Curren$y. Touring in May well into the summertime, catch this sophomore release and hear what Troubled Andrew dreams about. – Michele McManmon

Quiet Loudly‘s new limited edition digital live EP is only $5 and every penny will be donated to disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami. The EP was recorded at Howler’s Cafe in Pittsburgh while Quiet Loudly was on tour this past summer with GunFight!. There are six songs, including four Quiet Loudly songs and two covers (one of which was performed as a supergroup with GunFight!). You can purchase it here.