As we say goodbye to Refused for the second and quite probably last time on December 15th in Sweden, we say hello to a selection of fine new bands on this blog.
Starting with the Bostan 4-piece known as Pile alternative American rock with a nod to grunge has come to my attention in the form of the ‘Dripping LP‘. Not quite at the stage where I can enjoy a gig from them on this side of the pond, but as I sit here now listening to their LP via bandcamp I’m looking forward to that day. My track of choice being ‘Prom Song’ for the blog today. Minor chords and scratching close to off-timing chugging of the guitar, this is a great introduction to what they can do.
Another album I’m consuming this weekend is thanks to People Get Ready from Brooklyn. On opening bars this band runs the risk of slotting quite nicely into the new intelligent sounding math-indie that’s prevalant in the wake of artists such as alt-J, M83 and Foals, but then it changes into something completely different. It’s got a hint of Arcade Fire’s musical prowess, with the same initial buzz that the Laurel Collective had. ‘New June’ is from the bands self-titled debut was recorded summer of 2011 and they have shared stages in the US with the likes of Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr. Every track has a little something, be it a riff, or a mathsey beat or stunning vocals and harmonies, but I’ve listened from beginning to end and back again. And I will do for several more times.
Now, this whole shoe gazer genre has the tendancy to annoy me greatly. It’s just not for me. Until I heard these guys: Sealings. In the looser sense of categorising you can pop them into indie, punk and shoe gazer; and with their taster Sealings S/T EP each song has stronger hints of one of the other. Whilst it may tire on multiple listens, the track that caught my ear ‘Punk Perv’, is a great introduction to a band that has skyrocketing potential.
Elsewhere in the new music scene I’ve come across Sonic Boom Six. Perhaps a little later than some? But their recent single ‘Virus’ is definitely worth a listen. Think King Blues meets Hadouken! and you’ve got yourself a big sounding Prodigy-esque track.
One last nod comes from my friend John from JB plugging who passed me this CD whilst in the corridors of Radio 1 last week. He’s one of the leaders on the N.Ireland alt. rock scene at the moment after working with …And So I Watch You From Afar and A Plastic Rose. And now he’s presenting Dutch Schultz to my ears. Think of Franz Ferdinand plugged in and amplified with a bit of YouMeAtSix. It’s a good look…
Other great news is the return of Finch in February for a one off gig to celebrate the ‘What It Is To Burn’ anniversary, Arcade Fire confirm they will be releasing a new album early 2013 and Queens Of The Stone Age are posting videos of them mixing their (assumably!) recorded new album. YES!
For more from the alt. music scene check out Alive And Amplified on DIY Radio every Thursday or on listen back on mixcloud.
Elise x
