Who? The Holy Mess
Where are they from? Philadelphia, PA
What do they sound like? Snotty pop/punk that reminds one of the best the genre has to offer. We are talking cream of the crop type stuff here. For fans of The Lawrence Arms or Smoke Or Fire you need this…NOW!
You can download the band’s EP Dismount from If You Make It. The Holy Mess will be releasing their next 7″ on the illustrious Evil Weevil.
Who? Rooftops
Where are they from? Bellingham, WA
What do they sound like? Mathy instrumental goodness. I covered the band’s split with Noumenon a while back but I would have never guessed the band’s debut full-length, A Forest Of Polarity, would be this good. Rooftops are predominantly instrumental but the songs that add vocals are just downright heavenly. It’s like some amped up version of This Is Animal Music-era Look Mexico almost. But the band keeps the vocals to a minimum and in reality they just aren’t needed when the songs are consistently this good. At the end of the day you can’t ask for more than this if you are a fan of atmospheric math rock. CD out on Clickpop and Vinyl soon to be out on Topshelf. And yes, I am working this for Beartrap. Life is good.
Who? The Ambulars
Where are they from? Washington, DC / Chicago, IL
What do they sound like? Adult contemporary pop punk according to the band. I guess it’s accurate…us oldies probably will dig this a bit more than the young folks. The Ambulars’ male/female fronted style is the perfect mix of 90’s pop/punk and power pop. The band isn’t doing too much cause they are split into two locations but there are plans to reconvene in 2010. The band has released an Acoustic demo and the Summer Of The Ambulars EP pictured above.
Who? Sundials
Where are they from? Richmond, VA
What do they sound like? Power pop/punk goodness! Man, these guys remind me of someone and I just can not put my finger on it exactly. I’ve been racking my brain and going through old CDs but to no avail. Oh well, I will figure it out eventually and all you need to know is that this is great stuff either way. I could tell by the band’s influences that I was gonna love them…”The Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr, Jawbreaker, The Weakerthans, Husker Du…”, I mean, c’mon!
If you dig modern stuff like Cheap Girls, Failures’ Union or Tin Armor you can add Sundials to your list of favorites.
The band’s first six songs are available for free download from If You Make It. And of those six, the first three songs will be released as a 7″ on Impermanent Records which I will definitely be purchasing!
Who? Perfect Future
Where are they from? Frostburg, Maryland
What do they sound like? Perfect Future’s Self-Titled 2009 album on Count Your Lucky Stars could have come out 15 years ago and no one would have batted an eye. The band plays moody indie/emo that takes a while to grab you. But if given the time the band’s debut unfolds rather nicely when compared to the band’s influences. Perfect Future’s brand of rock is one that has and will continue to stand the test of time for true fans of the genre. I love the album cover too.
I will go ahead and cut Andy off before he leaves a comment saying this was co-released in the UK on his Strictly No Capital Letters label.
Who? Sweet Six Bullets
Where are they from? Belton, SC
What do they sound like? Southern rock that doesn’t make you automatically roll your eyes. Perhaps the three guitar approach gives it all away but the influences are easy to hear…Drive By Truckers, The Dexateens, etc. But there is also a bit of alternative rock thrown into the mixture at times along with your typical roots Americana. It all provides a nice change of pace. On the band’s debut, Skin, Wine & Sin, there is a genuine quality and a slow burning approach to the band’s songwriting that pushes them to the front of the line. And the album was recorded in a funeral parlor to top it all off. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Who? Fierce Brosnan
Where are they from? New Jersey
What do they sound like? Former and current members of Static Radio, Let Me Run and Yo Man Go. Fierce Brosnan probably falls more in line with Yo Man Go than the other two. I can hear traces of early Hot Water Music, Latterman and even Alkaline Trio. The songs are rough and that adds to the band’s charm. The band’s Basement Demo is up for free download at Death To False Hope Records. This is a band more people should be talking about and a full-length is said to be in the works.
Who? Averkiou
Where are they from? Gainesville, FL
What do they sound like? Shoegaze in the heart of pop/punk land. I enjoyed the band’s 2008 full-length debut, Throwing Sparks and recently got a hold of the band’s new 7″, Wasted and High, on Sound Study Recordings. For fans of shoegaze that falls on the more pop side for sure but Averkiou show off some muscle when needed. Reminiscent of the equally enthralling Brother Kite as well. Great stuff.
Who? Weed Hounds
Where are they from? New York
What do they sound like? Like a more indie-Lemuria? Definitely more instrumentally ambitious with shoegazing tendencies mixed in. Perhaps a less polished Pains of Being Pure At Heart? Thanks to the year end lists for making me check this out. I had heard of the band but I guess the name kind of turned me off…how shallow of me. That was my bad cause this is one of the best demos of 2009. The band has an upcoming split 7″ with the equally awesome Dude Japan on Rok Lok/Strictly No Capital Letters.
You can download all the bands songs on their Last.fm page.
Who? Schematics
Where are they from? Columbia, SC
What do they sound like? I covered Schematics briefly here and the band has finally recorded a couple of songs. Like I said before, the band is for fans of mid to late 90’s indie/emo but with a healthy dose of pop/punk influence thrown in. I find it hard to put comparisons on these guys but I have heard bands like Samiam, The Promise Ring, Iron Chic and Small Brown Bike bantered about (thanks Andy and Eric!). Rumor is more recordings are on there way.
Who? Timeshares
Where are they from? Downstate, NY
What do they sound like? Timeshares occupy the Yo Man Go/Latterman branch of bands. This is catchy pop punk that really sticks with you from the outset. The band’s three song demo is available for free download over at If You Make It. Or you can get a physical copy straight from the band. I know this style is done to death but these guys got it right with just the perfect amount of pop power!
Who? Forming
Where are they from? Long Beach, CA
What do they sound like? Guitar-influenced indie rock akin to Built To Spill crossed with a bit of emo influence it seems. This is really great laid back stuff that patiently unfolds in a particularly charming manner. Forming pulled me out of a funk the other night when I was in desperate need of something good to come along and give me some motivation. The band’s debut EP, Sleep Like A Dog, is available now!
Who? Palmkite
Where are they from? Northport, New York
What do they sound like? Emo. Yeah, it’s all the usual suspects…The Promise Ring, Cap’n Jazz, Joan of Arc. But there’s something else here that I can’t quite put my finger on. Either way it’s good. I love the way these songs just kind of lay back and unfold. There’s no taking the shortcut to a cheap hook. Formed earlier this year, Palmkite recorded a five song demo barely a month after they started. It’s pretty damn impressive considering that fact. Watch out for these dudes.
Palmkite “Is Any Of You Guys Mike?”
You can download the demo at the link below. Werd.
Who? Wooden Teeth
Where are they from? Portland, Oregon
What do they sound like? Beard-core!? Ryan Shanahan, formerly of Boston’s Lock And Key returns with a brand new band that packs the power of his former band with a subtle change in direction. There is less of the over-the-top Hot Water Music influence with Wooden Teeth and more of a darker element at play on the band’s first songs. Hit the band’s Myspace page up to hear the songs. A great start to say the least.
Who? Animal Names
Where are they from? Vancouver, British Columbia
What do they sound like? The Promise Ring anyone? Animal Names play quirky and poppy indie/emo rock that manages to stay the right side of cheesy at all times. Comparisons to early Weezer and Get Up Kids would do just nicely as well. Animal Names’ debut, Oh Yes You Better Do is a bit unspectacular but definitely solid and shows a ton of potential. Watch out for this band to really turn on the jets on their next release.
