They say that it’s almost impossible to recover from a bad first impression, but when three dudes choose a band name like Cretin Stompers (pictured) it is obvious that they are not interested in impressing anybody… Nonetheless, this is what you may call a bicoastal supergroup of sorts, featuring members of Wavves and Jay Reatard (from LA) and Brooklyn’s own BIG MUFF RADIO. Their debut record ‘Looking Forward To Being Attacked‘ is quirky enough to deserve the "cretin" denomination – together with the ‘fun’ one – with its bizarre arrangements, insane bursts of madness, recurrent super high pitch shifted vocals, and an overall approach that’s somewhat reminiscent of a crazier, lo-fi, garage pop version of early Flaming Lips or Mercury Rev. It sounds like the high pitch vocal trick comes from BIG MUFF RADIO’s ‘hat,’ since 100% of his latest record ‘The Immaculate Collection‘ features that effect. He will be performing at Baby’s Allright tomorrow (09.10) with WAVVES.
Music like silence: Megafortress unveils single from upcoming debut ‘Berliever’
Stillness in music is appreciated by few, but this doesn’t prevent artists like Megafortress to devote themselves to it. The project of Brooklyn based artist Bill Gillim just unveiled the first single from the debut album ‘Believer,’ scheduled for a November release. "Live In Grace" (streaming) is a brave flirt with emptiness, that employs a few layered synth drones and Bill’s poetry to convey the uncertainty of life and its fundamental loneliness.
PINKWASH Opening for Naomi Punk at Golden Tea House Sept. 9
Ashley Arnwine (Bleeding Rainbow) and Joey Doubek (Hume) combine forces tonight at Golden Tea House as PINKWASH, with a sound that comes at you in a relentless, hard-driving, precise yet explosive punk aggression, which is evident in their EP Your Cure Your Soil. The album is purposeful unabashed, forward-attacking style, incorporating noise-oriented tweaks and augmentations, while demonstrating an instrumental prowess. They are currently working on new material with Fancy Time Studio’s Kyle "Slick" Johnson. This evening, PINKWASH will be joined by local rock quartet Littler (who won The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll when they were formerly known as Calamity Jane). The intriguing eclectic sound of Olympia/Seattle-based garage-punk trio Naomi Punk, who released their sophomore LP Television Man via Captured Tracks last month, are also set to perform as well as grungy, psych-punk New York outfit PC Worship, who just released their new record Social Rust on Northern Spy Records today. Golden Tea House (Please Contact one of the acts or venue for more info), 8pm, $5-$7, All Ages (Photo by Katy Otto) – Michael Colavita
Miss Geo Brings Their Dance Party to Great Scott September 10
You don’t have to be a seasoned electronic music aficionado to recognize that Miss Geo has a talent for writing incredibly catchy songs. Covered in 80s-style synths and sweet vocal melodies, the most recent offering from the Boston-based electro-pop duo appeals to a wide audience. My favorite track off of their self-titled EP would have to be “After School”, with it’s mesmerizing, almost hypnotic bridge/chorus of “You built this scene, You made this dream, it’s velveteen, it’s rock n’ roll.” Blended together with spacey synth lines, it practically lulled me to sleep with images of some kind of fantastic hipster dance party.
You won’t find this track online though–you’ll have to pick up a copy at one of their shows. And wouldn’t you know, they have one coming up soon! Their next show is September 10, at Great Scott in Allston, MA. Tickets are available online here. Be sure to stop in and pick up a copy of the EP and check out the songs for yourself!
For more information about the band, check out their website.
-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
New Track: “The Ride” – Lewis & Clarke
Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania-based Lewis & Clark, a.k.a. Lou Rogai, just shared a lovely new track called "The Ride," which you can stream HERE. The seven-minute-plus single is from his forthcoming double LP, Triumvirate, which is due out October 7 via La Société Expéditionnaire. Rogai will also be back in Philly on Thursday, September 25 at The Boot & Saddle with Norwegian Arms.
Kelela shares new track with Le1f and P Morris
Kelela Mizanekristos’s style and soul has caught not only my attention but also LA based producer Kingdom. Her sweet sounding voice and low key, yet hype beats spun a much-acclaimed 13 track mixtape last year called CUT 4 ME. The sinfully true lyrics tell stories of heartbreak, and relationships with rousing beats that really do lead from the car, to the club, and to the bedroom. Her newest single, OICU, featuring LE1F, has a twist of Childish Gambino, Jhene Aiko and The Weeknd packed into one song. It’s catchy and extremely fun rapping to, especially if you’re anything like me and can’t sing. Producer P Morris composed a perfectly blended mix of freestyle, instrumentals and synergy between all the parties involved, effectively mixing complex beats to help this upcoming star emerge from LA’s underground scene. – Kayla Hay
Wild Bill and The Lost Knobs release “The Show” September 20th
Austin’s cosmic roots troupe Wild Bill and The Lost Knobs are set to release their new album The Show on September 20th. The new LP features 11 tracks of laid back south Austin style jams – the perfect soundtrack for beer sipping or pool dipping with your pals. Extra cool points: the band paid for the album recording costs entirely with saved up gig money, showcasing the latest in crowd-funding trends: working hard for your art. Check out the video for stand out track "She Don’t Say No" below. – Jonathan Konya
Show Alert: The Forty-Eight at the 5-Spot 9.11
The Forty-Eight started in Nashville in the spring of 2013, as an outlet for solo artist and record deal refugee Alissa Beyer. She sought out a group project to counter the isolation felt as an island with a bad contract, and ended up which a high energy pop-punk project that offered her a much higher return on personal fulfillment. Their debut album, "Radio Symmetry," was released last year, but just recently they’ve been allowing new material to trickle out on their website and Soundcloud (We’re partial to "They Call It Love." Why wasn’t it around when we were in high school?) The Forty-Eight are playing The Five-Spot for an early show at 6pm this Thursday with Andy Weathers and Brent Engel & The Upper East Side. Anyone with $5 and a secret yen for Paramore is strongly advised to attend. -Terra James-Jura
NYC Record of the Month: Crying – “Get Olde”
If Anamanaguchi created (more than) a cult following by mixing indie rock guitars with sounds produced by a hacked old Nintendo gaming console, NYC trio Crying could very easily take 8 bit indie rock to new heights. Their vintage video-game of choice in this case is a Game Boy (Nintendo again!), tweaked by guitarist/nerd Ryan Galloway. That very basic, but so much fun hand held gaming device conjures up memories of innocence that are perfectly matched in style by Crying’s bizarro but super cute pop songs. In the band’s latest EP ‘Get Olde’ – self released last year and recently picked by Run For Cover Records – Elaiza Santos’ vocals tame the music’s effervencence with the perfect amount of tenderness, charm, and thoughtfulness, carving melodies that are never banal. What’s even more impressive, there isn’t one weak song on the 6 tracks on the record. Check out Bodega Run, streaming below, and see them
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Dinosaur Feathers return with a soul pop flavor – Shea Stadium on 09.20
Dinosaur Feathers first emerged from Brooklyn’s sweaty DIY scene as an irrepressibly upbeat synthesis of indie rock & world music influences, replete with intricate soaring vocal harmonies. The group then charted a course from tropical leisure to nervy beach rock via substantial touring with acts like Built to Spill and Peter Bjorn & John. Most recently, master of ceremonies Greg Sullo committed to an extended stay in Oakland, where he found himself progressively drawn toward Motown soul & funky R&B – from Smokey to Chaka, Prince to Janet. His vocal performances on CONTROL clearly reflect an affinity for such material, supported by a catalog of disparate secondary influences, from Scott Walker to Drake.
Future Death play Sect One September 26th
Started as an Austin duo of Alton Jenkins and Bill Kenny in 2012 Future Death have developed into a foursome with the addition of bassist Jeremey Humphries and vocalist Angie Kang. Still a young band, the foursome has nailed the whole art-rock-trash-punk band vibe they are going for. Their debut LP ‘Special Victim’ came out in May and was recorded in a funeral home turned studio – maybe that’s why it sounds so spooky. Slightly reminiscent of Karen O, Kang’s punkish yelps and sweet voiced chants are challenged by the noise of clashing guitars and drums. Future Death have an upcoming Fall tour and, if you wanna headbang along to the noise-punk band in person, they’ll be playing Sect One in Austin on Friday, September 26. – Allison Mayoral