Dawn Landes might be best known for her bluegrass cover of Peter Bjorn And John’s hit “Young Folks” but she’s got her own material as well. Landes just released her brand new album called Fireproof. She is opening up for Will Hoge and Jason Isbell currently and the trio will be swinging through my neck of the woods Tuesday, February 26th at Headliners in Columbia, SC. I shall be there. “Bodyguard” is the first single off of Fireproof.

Bodyguard

[audio http://www.cookingvinylusa.com/dawnlandes/01_Bodyguard.mp3]

www.myspace.com/dawnlandes

Thieves And Assassins may not be doing anything new but they are certainly doing it well. The Long Island band is comprised of former members of hardcore bands like This Is Hell, The Backup Plan and Heads Vs. Breakers. While there are some short bursts of pure hardcore, the band stays more on the melodic side of the tracks. Bands like Dag Nasty and Bad Religion instantly come to mind. However, there are also some noticeable elements of melodic pop/punk bands like Samiam or even the pop energy of Lifetime. And all of this is done with a modern twist. The band released their debut full length, Martyr Brigade, last year. Clocking in at 9 songs in only 23 minutes, the repeat button should get a nice work out.

Add another 2007 release that I missed out on for far too long. Nothington features two ex-members of Tsunami Bomb but this is far from that band’s sound. Nothington play awesome punk rock n’ roll. Frontman Jay Northington’s gravelly vocals recall the great Frankie Stubbs of Leatherface (I think I see a Leatherface sticker on that guitar). Much like Leatherface, Nothington have a keen sense of melody that slowly reveals itself from beneath all the gruffness. And there is no way to deny the Social Distortion influence that pervades these songs. Mike Ness would certainly be proud. Any fans of Lucero, The Gaslight Anthem or The Loved Ones should all find something to love here as well. All In is quite a statement for a debut record.

Goin’ Home

[audio http://www.byorecords.com/mp3/18-Nothington-AllIn-GoinHome.mp3]

Sometimes bands slip through the cracks here at SAL headquarters. I remember getting Juhu Beach’s 2007 EP, Scenes of Abandoned Industry, a while back but for some reason the disc never resonated with me. That is up until the last month or so when I gave it a few more spins. The Seattle band plays an infectious blend of indie rock and angular punk. I find it stunning that the band’s press release does not mention Les Savy Fav (one more reason to throw the press sheets in the trash I guess). That is the band I keep coming back to when listening to Juhu Beach. The band has that same remarkable diversity. They can slap you with some sassy punk rock and then sing you to sleep with cunning melodies. There are also elements of Dischord punk as well as Chapel Hill-influenced indie rock like Archers Of Loaf. Juhu Beach are certainly pulling from all the right places here. So, please accept my apologies boys. There’s simply no excuse for me sleeping on something this good for so long.

Empty Coil

01EmptyCoil.mp3

I am under the weather tonight but Takka Takka’s We Feel Safer At Night is helping me through it all. I discovered the band by chance recently. My friend got tix for us to go to a Travis Morrison show on my upcoming NYC visit. And it just so happened that Takka Takka is opening. I requested a copy of We Feel Safer At Night from the band’s label (Ernest Jenning Record Co.) and they were kind enough to send me one in record time. After quite a few listens, I am stoked to see the band live this Friday at Union Hall in Brooklyn. The band brings to mind a wealth of influences on We Feel Safer At Night. I would have to say Pavement and The Velvet Underground are the most notable although there are also flashes of The Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo and Grandaddy. Great stuff!

Draw A Map (mp3)

[audio http://takkatakkamusic.com/music/drawamap.mp3]

We Feel Safer At Night (mp3)

[audio http://takkatakkamusic.com/music/Safer.mp3]

www.myspace.com/takkatakka