POSTS TAGGED : Garage

Mowbird – ‘Greetings, All!’ EP | A Magnificent Happy-Go-Lucky Fuzz-Fest

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Mowbird have been big favourites around here since bursting into view with their superb debut album Islander back in 2014; a fun-filled adventure in soul-consuming, fuzzy indie-pop.

Since their 2014 debut the North Walian quartet have been pretty quiet – releasing a single with Sweet Baboo & the One-Offs compilation – but that’s all changed with a brand new EP, Greetings, All!. Adorned with all the hallmarks which singles them out as one of the finest purveyors of fuzzy indie-pop, Mowbird’s new EP is a whirlwind of mostly sub 2-minute adventures in fuzzy, fun-filled blasts of scuzzy, sweetly melodic garagey, noise-pop. From the exuberant bursts of energy from saw-tooth opener ‘Pulsator’ to the hyperactive power-pop explosion of ‘My Boyfriend, The Alien’, there is an irresistible alchemy at work. What makes Mowbird ear-pleasing racket is, it is combined with a poppy sheen, catchy harmonies, melodies and hooks; and some stunning organ work (an intrinsic part of their sound). In typical Mowbird fashion, this magnificent happy-go-lucky fuzz-fest will be bouncing round your head all day long.

You can listen to some choice cut from Greetings, All! below or stream/purchase it here.

Hinds Share ‘Holograma’ & Release Deluxe Edition of Debut LP

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Hinds released their debut album, Leave Me Alone, at the very start of the year and one of 2016’s finest it is an utterly joyous collection of upbeat lo-fi gargey indie.

To top of a successful year, the Madrid quartet are releasing a deluxe edition of their debut, featuring some covers, B-sides, rarities and demos. Hinds have graciously shared one of those tracks ‘Holograma’; sang in Spanish, it is a cover of a jam by their pals and fellow Madrid-based band Los Nastys. It may not be ‘their’ song but it has Hinds stamp all over it and provides a timely reminder to why they, and their debut LP, are so lovable. A big jolly slice of sun-drenched and lackadaisical, scratchy lo-fi surf-punk; all ramshackle guitars, carefree vibes and all-round infectious. This is the sound of a band having a lot of fun and not taking themselves too seriously – as we’ve become accustomed to with Hinds.

You can listen to ‘Holograma’ below and there is more on the deluxe LP here. Oh, and don’t forget: Hinds play The Academy, Dublin on November 29th – more here.

Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 Preview: 8 Must See Acts

 

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Hard Working Class Heroes takes place in venues across Dublin this week.

Running from Thursday, October 6th to Saturday, October 8th and it will showcase well over 100 of Ireland’s most promising emerging acts. One of HWCH’s biggest draws (and festivals of its ilk) is rambling around, seeing acts you have previously been unfamiliar with. That said, there are a couple of names that immediately jump out and come highly recommended with the much sought after BarryGruff seal of approval*.

The full line-up / stage times for Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 is here. And as always, feel free to share your own recommendations in the comments section below. *May not be much sought after.

Eoin Dolan: Thursday, 19:40 – 20:10 @ Tengu Downstairs

Galway-based singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the finest finds from the past 12 months. Dolan has a real flair for twinkly and whimsical, good old fashioned pop gems, with a healthy dose of Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett and Lennon/McCartney (moments) threaded through the fabric of his sound. His brand of surfy psych-pop is totally charming, entirely irresistible, easy-going and timeless. Dolan’s self-titled debut album was released last month, for a taste of that & what to expect at HWCH, check out ‘Dear Brian’; a playful blend of woozy, soothing sounds, sinuous melodies, SFA-esque synth work, giddy-pop-playfulness and reverb-drenched vocals. Not to be missed.

New Pope: Thursday, 21:40 – 22:10 @ Tengu Downstairs

Galway-based New Pope – fronted by Dave Boland – deal in truly beautiful, timeless and carefully crafted acoustic folk sounds. Passing with a whisper rather than a roar, New Pope’s songs are delivered with warmth and tenderness, as Boland’s distinctive vocal creates a warm, lush atmosphere – and an overwhelming sense of sense of nostalgia. Last year’s YOUTH EP & LP are wonderful and New Pope were excellent at Electric Picnic this year, and if that doesn’t entice you? Check out the layered, lush and beguiling beauty of ‘Love’ below:

Slow Riot: Friday, 20:10 – 20:40 @ The Hub

Limerick trio Slow Riot‘s ferocious, tense and searing post-punk, has marked them out as one of Ireland’s most promising guitar bands in sometime. Taking classic post-punk influences – Gang of Four, Television, Wire – and infusing them with more contemporary ones such as Girl Band and Future of the Left, they create an irresistible and thunderous modern take on a classic sound. Still need convincing? Check out the intense, insistent and menacing ‘Trophy Wife’ below. Peerless.

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Introducing: Whenyoung

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Whenyoung are a London-based Irish trio – Aoife (vocals/bass), Niall (vocals/guitar), and Andrew (vocals/drums) – who’ve got quite the flair for urgent, driven and fiery punk-flavoured garage-rock.

They sound brash, fiery and driven by a furious intensity. With their debut single ‘See How They Run’ / ‘Show Me How’ earlier in the year, they have made one hell of a first impression for themselves. ‘See How They Run’ is a ferocious two minute burst of vitality that fizzes and crackles amid crunchy guitars, relentless percussion and knockout vocals – fierce and raspy yet simultaneously pleasant. This vocal trait carries over into ‘Show Me How’ which is just as bold, brash and brilliant a squall of screeching guitar noise. Not only is Whenyoung’s sound blisteringly ferocious. it is catchy, hooky and totally irresistible!

You can check out ‘See How They Run’ / ‘Show Me How’ below. Whenyoung will be in Dublin next month, they play Hard Working Class Heroes on Friday, October 7th (The Workman’s @ 22:30).

Allah-Las – ‘Could Be You’ + New Album Coming in September

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Allah-Las have announced the release of their third album Calico Review.

The Los Angeles outfit’s forthcoming 12-track offering follow’s 2014’s Worship the Sun, and will be with us on September 9, via Mexican Summer. Following on from ‘Famous Phone Figure’ is new single ‘Could be Be You’, serving as another teaser for the group’s forthcoming third record. And oh my, it’s a doozy! Finding their groove and sound by melting down parts of the ’60s and ’70s and pressing them into something that is simultaneously vital and casual. Bringing with them all the laid-back hazy, sunny vibes, choppy percussion, racy guitars, and harmony vocals slots; ‘Could Be You’ spills over with psychedelic playfulness and splotches of vintage r&b, garage rock and surf. ‘Could Be You’ is an utterly irresistible and enjoyable rock ‘n’ roll ear-worm, guaranteed to have you heading straight for the repeat button.

Give a listen to ‘Could Be You’ (along with the video) below. Their third album Calico Review is out on September 9th.

Millions Like Us Podcast – Episode #18

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We’re thrilled to share yet another Millions Like Us with you all, Episode #18!

Every two weeks, Justin & I, in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now, aim to deliver an eclectic and hand-picked selection of top class music. There’s plenty to chew on with a bumper episode #18, almost 2 hours in fact, of great tunes and plenty of chat, on all manner of topics and music including festivals; as we talk Music Waste and Levitation Vancouver.

You can read more on it over here and of course, listen below (and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump too). You can subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic, Mixcloud & SoundCloud, or find us on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can email us at millionslikeuspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.

As mentioned previously, Justin has been busy compiling tracks featured in the series. If you’re a Spotify user, then you can access this 6 hours plus playlist here.

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Introducing: Dumb

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Dumb are a Vancouver foursome – Nick Short, Felipe Morelli, Gal Av-Gay and Nir Av-Gay – who proclaim themselves as a “punk rock band!”. They are that, and a whole lot more.

Following on from two 2015 EPs, Friendship and Tulips, they’ve recently released their debut album, Beach Church. In this holy house of beach (Beach Church), across nine-songs we a graced with a rather ‘smart’ collection from Dumb. The album is littered with an intoxicating flurry of crunchy indie-rock songs that flirt with indie, punk, garage, post-punk and even occasional surf elements. From the twangy, surf-themed instrumentals of ‘Beach Church pt. I, II & III’ to the rough-and-ragged, crunching guitars, cymbal crashing and shout-able lyrics of the likes of ‘Refrain’ or ‘7-11’; Dumb eek out a middle ground between garage rock, spaced-out psychedelia and the driving stomp of punk. It all works together and come across as endearingly authentic, suggesting that Dumb is a band to keep an eye on.

You can listen to some choice cuts from Dumb’s debut LP below and if you would like to get your mitts on Beach Church, it is here, all you gotta do is ‘name you price’. Also, they play Vancouver’s Music Waste on Saturday, June 4th (the full schedule is here).

Oh Boland – ‘Where’s The Beach?

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Oh Boland are a garage rock trio – Niall Murphy, Éanna Mac Donnchadha and Simon McDonagh – from Tuam, Co. Galway.

Since first catching our attention with 2013 EPs Oh! & Ho!, Oh Boland have steadily and consistently proven their brilliance (and gradually become one of my favourite acts on the planet). Their latest single, ‘Where’s The Beach?’ is a rumbustious, ragged and rough-around-the-edges, blast of lo-fi garage-rock. Although it trashes, screeches and rumbles along, it is supremely catchy and continues the trend of brilliance set out from day one. That, and it reminds us that bands of this ilk are relatively scarce commodity in Ireland and rarely are they so brilliant, and why we need an album from Oh Boland HQ sooner rather than later.

‘Where’s The Beach?’ is taken from an upcoming cassette, to be released on Dublin’s Little L Records and was recorded with Liam Day, in his home studio, with the accompanying video, coming courtesy of my pal and all round good guy, Stephen Connelly.

You can check out ‘Where’s The Beach?’ and it’s superb video below. You can also check out their GruffWuff inclusion – ‘White Boy’ – of which you can download the full 19-track compilation here, for FREE.

Colleen Green – ‘Green My Eyes’

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Colleen Green has recorded six brand new tracks for a forthcoming self-titled EP, Green’s contribution to the latest instalment of the Infinity Cat Cassette Series, due on May 13.

‘Green My Eyes’ is the latest track lifted from the forthcoming EP, which follows 2015’s I Want To Grow Up, yet on the surface at least, has more in common with her earlier work. Having briefly dispensed with her trusty drum machine  in favour of Casey Weissbuch on drums for the 2015 LP, we find Green back on a DIY perch. ‘Green My Eyes’ is a short, sharp, slice of super-charged fuzz-pop with a steadfast drum-machine beat, underscoring her recognizable self-aware ramblings. A superlative blend of mildly punchy, sweetly sung and irresistible fuzzy-pop; Ms. Green’s modus operandi.

You can listen to ‘Green My Eyes’ below, while you will have to waiting till May 13th for her self-titled EP, out on metallic gold cassette only via Infinity Cat Recordings.

L.A. Witch – ‘Drive Your Car’

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Los Angeles garage-rock trio L.A. Witch –  Sade Sanchez, Irita Pai, and Ellie English – are releasing a new 7″ single to celebrate their North American tour with The Kills.

The single is question, ‘Drive Your Car’, is a perfect exponent of their signature sound that veers between moody post-punk and explosive blues-punk-garage. It is a just-over three-minute ferocious blitz of scuzz and sass. Amid the reverb, coarse guitars, chugging riffs and explosive drumming are chased down Sanchez’s ghostly, howling vocal. Softening the blow somewhat, there is a hint of the psychedelic chipping away at what is fierce, fierce track. All in all, this combination makes it impossible not to love, and an easy one to enjoy on repeat.

You can check out ‘Drive Your Car’ below, the 7″ is out now and comes b-side ‘Ain’t Comin Home Master’.

Meanwhile, L.A. Witch will hit the gig trail across North America with The Kills incl. Vancouver on May 31st, in the Commodore Ballroom – full list of dates here.