Roncag
07-10-2006, 04:26 PM
The past two weeks have given us the chance to bring you 10 bands worth checking out. Listen to what we feel are some of the best bands you may have never heard of.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/hopeofthestates.jpg Hope of the States
Website (http://www.hopeofthestates.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/hopeofthestatesofficial)
Longtime mates Sam Herlihy (vocals/guitar), Anthony Theaker (guitar), and James Lawrence (guitar) grew up in the market town of Chichester in West Sussex, England, in the late '80s and early '90s. To keep themselves entertained, the three of them obsessed over the latest Brit pop phenomena. Paul Wilson (bass) joined the group around their mid-teens, and expanded their love for music. He and Herlihy landed a development deal with Parlophone during this time; however, only sheer luck worked in their favor. They'd skip class to record songs at Abbey Road Studios, but Herlihy and Wilson lacked direction and knowledge when it came to crafting an original sound. A few years later, a little older and a little wiser, they formed Hope of the States in 2000. They took their name from Albert Deutsch's -The Shame of the States, the controversial book published in 1948 that ridiculed the U.S.'s unimpressive mental health system. From there, out came the military uniforms to symbolize their strict bond as a band and as friends, while also a criticism of a man's lack of compassion for his fellow man. Their latest album, Left, is nothing short of amazing.
RIYL: Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Cooper Temple Clause, Manic Street Preachers, Mansun, Coldplay
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/endeclin.jpg En Declin
Website (http://www.endeclin.it) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/endeclin)
En Declin are one of the freshest things to burst from the melodic, progressive metal scene in ages. Signing to the My Kingdom Music record label, which is also home to Klimt1918 and Room With A View, the Italian five-piece outfit are reminiscent of gloomy prog-rock groups ala Opeth (Deliverance era), Anathema, and Porcupine Tree with random fits of Tool's glissando. While the genre may seem to be established with quality acts, En Declin is a breath of fressness, fulminating with depths of passion and melancholy. The fruit of their labor bleeds out in their new album, Trauma, a gorgeous, pastoral creation.
RIYL: Opeth, Anathema, Tool, Klimt 1918, Porcupine Tree, Katatonia
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/madee.jpg Madee
Website (http://www.madee.net) :: Listen ( http://www.myspace.com/madeebcn)
The have been together for almost ten years with different names and different influences, but their best project, Madee, started in 2002 with the irruption of such a mighty album as "Songs from Cydonia", that not only made them sign up for BCore but also made them create Cydonia Records, one of Barcelona's most known labels. Through the ten new tracks which conform Orion's Belt, these guys show us the deepest, most painful side of a band that has succeeded in healing their spiritual pains through music. With help of Giant Sand's Susan Voeltz leading a string quartet and Santi Garcia's production, Orion's Belt has been recorded at Chicago's Engine studios, and contains such wonders as "Fallen heroes", "Jinniyah" or "Orion's belt". A majestic album for one of the best bands barcelona area has ever given.
RIYL: Muse, Sunny Day Real Estate, Vendetta Red, Clann Zu, Echo and the Bunneymen
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/indorphine.jpg Indorphine
Website (http://www.indorphine.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/indorphine)
In the place of frosted tips and the messy do, crooning vocals, hollow lyrics and worn-before-bought jeans, Indorphine gives staggering live performances all over the East Coast in ripped-from-wear jeans, borrowed t-shirts and striped socks complete with instrument changes, audience participation and a contagious kinetic energy. Mocking every visual, musical and conceptual stereotype of pop culture's acceptable archetypes of heavy metal, Orlando, FL's Indorphine is the prototype of innovation in the saturated and stagnant market of today's rock music producing groove laden rhythms with bits ands rift of southern rock, bluegrass, thrash metal and psychedelic funk. Recently signed to Rock Ridge Music, Indorphine prepare for the release of their full length Glowsticks For Clubbing Baby Seals, due out July 11.
RIYL: System Of A Down, Dog Fashion Disco, Dillinger Escape Plan, Mudvayne, Faith No More, Tub Ring
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/gosling.jpg Gosling
Website (http://www.goslingmusic.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/gosling)
Gosling (who features former members of Loudermilk) is made up of singer-songwriter Ingersoll, drummer Isaac Carpenter, bassist Shane Middleton, and keyboardist/guitarist Mark Watrous. The technical prowess and stylistic fluidity is genuinely reflected in their first five influences listed on My Space: “Queen, Pink Floyd, Elvis Presley, Nation Of Ulysses, and Soundgarden.” Gosling is four young but very adept musicians who have been playing together since they grew up in the teenage wasteland of Tri-Cities, Washington, juxtaposing intricate musicianship with synergistic impulsivity. “We each give each other a lot of freedom, because especially at this point, we’re old enough to realize what each other’s roles are, and just relax,” the laid back Carpenter says. Their debut album Here Is... is due out in August through V2.
RIYL: Loudermilk, Ours, Placebo, Smashing Pumpkins, Modest Mouse, Abandoned Pools
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/judahjohnson.jpg Judah Johnson
Website (http://www.judahjohnson.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/judahjohnson)
Judah Johnson's line-up has changed several times since their creation, but the central figure throughout has remained the same, singer/guitarist and songwriter Daniel Johnson. He formed the band in 2000 trying to create music as if none had ever been made before. After beginning as a home-recorded style band, they have since evolved into meticulous studio rats, dwelling over the smallest details of their passionate and personal sound. Recorded in just five days, Be Where I Be, captures the energy and immediacy associated with Judah Johnson. Currently the band is enjoying a second chance. Koltak and Johnson have made their peace and are having a "second honeymoon." Keyboardist Noah Harris and guitarist Arun Bali have been added to the lineup, returning the band's live sound to its original five-piece thunder and allowing the textures of the album to be reproduced faithfully while continuing to reshape it.
RIYL: Jeff Buckley, Coldplay, The Cure, Pete Yorn, Mellowdrone, Elliott Smith, Pedro The Lion, Radiohead
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/rahim.jpg Rahim
Website (http://www.rahimrahim.org) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/rahim)
"I think when people hear the word 'change' they automatically think it's a bad thing," notes Rahim drummer and band father-figure Phil Sutton when speaking about his band Rahim's debut full-length release on Frenchkiss Records, Ideal Lives. "We're three people naturally progressing." Change and progress are important words in describing the New York-based rockers, Rahim. With the release of Jungles, their debut EP on Frenchkiss Records, Rahim made a name for themselves by playing a fresh interpretation of the jagged post-punk style of the Washington, D.C.-area that is both melodic and patient, and built on a strong rhythmic backbone. Jungles saw Rahim adding soaring keyboards and hypnotic drumming, showing off a different direction sonically for the band. On Ideal Lives, Rahim can be heard continuing to experiment musically and creating a more refined and polished sound.
RIYL: Burning Airlines, Dismemberment Plan, The Life and Times, The Mars Volta, Minus The Bear, These Arms Are Snakes
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/kidmetropolis.jpg Kid Metropolis
Website (http://www.kidmetropolis.com/) :: Listen ( http://www.myspace.com/kidmetropolis)
Kid Metropolis are another amazing Canadian import who will probably never get the respect they deserve stateside (ala Wintersleep, Ermine.) They have been honing their knack for gorgeous melodic spacey rock for a few years and have found it to near perfection on their debut album, A Blueprint For Modern Life. The band combine the beautiful vocals of Shun with the experimentation of Dredg and pair it with absolutely wonderful song writing. Give this band a chance to tour and make some friends and they could be huge.
RIYL: Shun, Dredg, Codeseven, Quitter, Muse, Kaddisfly, Aereogramme
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/carparknorth.jpg Carpark North
Website (http://www.carparknorth.dk) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/carparknorth)
By working their asses off, applying unique musical skills and sky-high ambitions, they have created an album that is completely timeless, absolutely un-modern, incredibly dynamic, and in a word: fantastic. Ignoring the confines of contemporary trends, Carpark North has further developed the hard-hitting 80s-inspired electropop that propelled the bands eponymous debut album to the top of the charts. With a nod to everything from The Beatles to Europe to Depeche Mode, Lau, Sren and Morten have again tested the limits of their songwriting abilities and the pushed the envelope of a sound studio.
RIYL: Mew, Oceansize, Aereogramme, Kent, Kraftwerk, Sigur Ros, Depeche Mode, Flaming Lips, Doves
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/armasecreta.jpg Arma Secreta
Website (http://www.ARMASECRETA.US) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/armasecreta)
In the face of adversity, it’s easy to give up, to go hide and refuse to deal with life. But in Arma Secreta’s case, when a band member’s mortality was threatened, the band came together with one goal in mind: to make vital and honest music. Nine months after the formation of Arma Secreta, its very existence was threatenedwhen Christopher was diagnosed with cancer in December 2003. After surgery and months of recovery, Christopher, Bradley, and former bass player / mixing engineer AlexZhort made a pact that they would not play live again until their record was finished. And that is exactly what Arma Secreta did. The tone of A Century’s Remains is as intricate as it’s back-story. Songs are dark andreflective (“Segue/Debris”), cautiously hopeful (“Turin Style”), determined (“A Good Clean Sweat”), and sexual (“Undressing Underwater”). Certainly the term “math rock”will come up at some point in describing the musical style, and call it what you will, but math implies cold calculation, and Arma Secreta’s music is anything but; A Century’s Remains is a poignant, expressive, visceral narrative.
RIYL: Jawbox, Fugazi, Cursive, Archers of Loaf, These Arms Are Snakes, Modest Mouse, Slint, Quicksand
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/hopeofthestates.jpg Hope of the States
Website (http://www.hopeofthestates.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/hopeofthestatesofficial)
Longtime mates Sam Herlihy (vocals/guitar), Anthony Theaker (guitar), and James Lawrence (guitar) grew up in the market town of Chichester in West Sussex, England, in the late '80s and early '90s. To keep themselves entertained, the three of them obsessed over the latest Brit pop phenomena. Paul Wilson (bass) joined the group around their mid-teens, and expanded their love for music. He and Herlihy landed a development deal with Parlophone during this time; however, only sheer luck worked in their favor. They'd skip class to record songs at Abbey Road Studios, but Herlihy and Wilson lacked direction and knowledge when it came to crafting an original sound. A few years later, a little older and a little wiser, they formed Hope of the States in 2000. They took their name from Albert Deutsch's -The Shame of the States, the controversial book published in 1948 that ridiculed the U.S.'s unimpressive mental health system. From there, out came the military uniforms to symbolize their strict bond as a band and as friends, while also a criticism of a man's lack of compassion for his fellow man. Their latest album, Left, is nothing short of amazing.
RIYL: Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Cooper Temple Clause, Manic Street Preachers, Mansun, Coldplay
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/endeclin.jpg En Declin
Website (http://www.endeclin.it) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/endeclin)
En Declin are one of the freshest things to burst from the melodic, progressive metal scene in ages. Signing to the My Kingdom Music record label, which is also home to Klimt1918 and Room With A View, the Italian five-piece outfit are reminiscent of gloomy prog-rock groups ala Opeth (Deliverance era), Anathema, and Porcupine Tree with random fits of Tool's glissando. While the genre may seem to be established with quality acts, En Declin is a breath of fressness, fulminating with depths of passion and melancholy. The fruit of their labor bleeds out in their new album, Trauma, a gorgeous, pastoral creation.
RIYL: Opeth, Anathema, Tool, Klimt 1918, Porcupine Tree, Katatonia
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/madee.jpg Madee
Website (http://www.madee.net) :: Listen ( http://www.myspace.com/madeebcn)
The have been together for almost ten years with different names and different influences, but their best project, Madee, started in 2002 with the irruption of such a mighty album as "Songs from Cydonia", that not only made them sign up for BCore but also made them create Cydonia Records, one of Barcelona's most known labels. Through the ten new tracks which conform Orion's Belt, these guys show us the deepest, most painful side of a band that has succeeded in healing their spiritual pains through music. With help of Giant Sand's Susan Voeltz leading a string quartet and Santi Garcia's production, Orion's Belt has been recorded at Chicago's Engine studios, and contains such wonders as "Fallen heroes", "Jinniyah" or "Orion's belt". A majestic album for one of the best bands barcelona area has ever given.
RIYL: Muse, Sunny Day Real Estate, Vendetta Red, Clann Zu, Echo and the Bunneymen
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/indorphine.jpg Indorphine
Website (http://www.indorphine.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/indorphine)
In the place of frosted tips and the messy do, crooning vocals, hollow lyrics and worn-before-bought jeans, Indorphine gives staggering live performances all over the East Coast in ripped-from-wear jeans, borrowed t-shirts and striped socks complete with instrument changes, audience participation and a contagious kinetic energy. Mocking every visual, musical and conceptual stereotype of pop culture's acceptable archetypes of heavy metal, Orlando, FL's Indorphine is the prototype of innovation in the saturated and stagnant market of today's rock music producing groove laden rhythms with bits ands rift of southern rock, bluegrass, thrash metal and psychedelic funk. Recently signed to Rock Ridge Music, Indorphine prepare for the release of their full length Glowsticks For Clubbing Baby Seals, due out July 11.
RIYL: System Of A Down, Dog Fashion Disco, Dillinger Escape Plan, Mudvayne, Faith No More, Tub Ring
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/gosling.jpg Gosling
Website (http://www.goslingmusic.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/gosling)
Gosling (who features former members of Loudermilk) is made up of singer-songwriter Ingersoll, drummer Isaac Carpenter, bassist Shane Middleton, and keyboardist/guitarist Mark Watrous. The technical prowess and stylistic fluidity is genuinely reflected in their first five influences listed on My Space: “Queen, Pink Floyd, Elvis Presley, Nation Of Ulysses, and Soundgarden.” Gosling is four young but very adept musicians who have been playing together since they grew up in the teenage wasteland of Tri-Cities, Washington, juxtaposing intricate musicianship with synergistic impulsivity. “We each give each other a lot of freedom, because especially at this point, we’re old enough to realize what each other’s roles are, and just relax,” the laid back Carpenter says. Their debut album Here Is... is due out in August through V2.
RIYL: Loudermilk, Ours, Placebo, Smashing Pumpkins, Modest Mouse, Abandoned Pools
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/judahjohnson.jpg Judah Johnson
Website (http://www.judahjohnson.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/judahjohnson)
Judah Johnson's line-up has changed several times since their creation, but the central figure throughout has remained the same, singer/guitarist and songwriter Daniel Johnson. He formed the band in 2000 trying to create music as if none had ever been made before. After beginning as a home-recorded style band, they have since evolved into meticulous studio rats, dwelling over the smallest details of their passionate and personal sound. Recorded in just five days, Be Where I Be, captures the energy and immediacy associated with Judah Johnson. Currently the band is enjoying a second chance. Koltak and Johnson have made their peace and are having a "second honeymoon." Keyboardist Noah Harris and guitarist Arun Bali have been added to the lineup, returning the band's live sound to its original five-piece thunder and allowing the textures of the album to be reproduced faithfully while continuing to reshape it.
RIYL: Jeff Buckley, Coldplay, The Cure, Pete Yorn, Mellowdrone, Elliott Smith, Pedro The Lion, Radiohead
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/rahim.jpg Rahim
Website (http://www.rahimrahim.org) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/rahim)
"I think when people hear the word 'change' they automatically think it's a bad thing," notes Rahim drummer and band father-figure Phil Sutton when speaking about his band Rahim's debut full-length release on Frenchkiss Records, Ideal Lives. "We're three people naturally progressing." Change and progress are important words in describing the New York-based rockers, Rahim. With the release of Jungles, their debut EP on Frenchkiss Records, Rahim made a name for themselves by playing a fresh interpretation of the jagged post-punk style of the Washington, D.C.-area that is both melodic and patient, and built on a strong rhythmic backbone. Jungles saw Rahim adding soaring keyboards and hypnotic drumming, showing off a different direction sonically for the band. On Ideal Lives, Rahim can be heard continuing to experiment musically and creating a more refined and polished sound.
RIYL: Burning Airlines, Dismemberment Plan, The Life and Times, The Mars Volta, Minus The Bear, These Arms Are Snakes
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/kidmetropolis.jpg Kid Metropolis
Website (http://www.kidmetropolis.com/) :: Listen ( http://www.myspace.com/kidmetropolis)
Kid Metropolis are another amazing Canadian import who will probably never get the respect they deserve stateside (ala Wintersleep, Ermine.) They have been honing their knack for gorgeous melodic spacey rock for a few years and have found it to near perfection on their debut album, A Blueprint For Modern Life. The band combine the beautiful vocals of Shun with the experimentation of Dredg and pair it with absolutely wonderful song writing. Give this band a chance to tour and make some friends and they could be huge.
RIYL: Shun, Dredg, Codeseven, Quitter, Muse, Kaddisfly, Aereogramme
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/carparknorth.jpg Carpark North
Website (http://www.carparknorth.dk) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/carparknorth)
By working their asses off, applying unique musical skills and sky-high ambitions, they have created an album that is completely timeless, absolutely un-modern, incredibly dynamic, and in a word: fantastic. Ignoring the confines of contemporary trends, Carpark North has further developed the hard-hitting 80s-inspired electropop that propelled the bands eponymous debut album to the top of the charts. With a nod to everything from The Beatles to Europe to Depeche Mode, Lau, Sren and Morten have again tested the limits of their songwriting abilities and the pushed the envelope of a sound studio.
RIYL: Mew, Oceansize, Aereogramme, Kent, Kraftwerk, Sigur Ros, Depeche Mode, Flaming Lips, Doves
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/armasecreta.jpg Arma Secreta
Website (http://www.ARMASECRETA.US) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/armasecreta)
In the face of adversity, it’s easy to give up, to go hide and refuse to deal with life. But in Arma Secreta’s case, when a band member’s mortality was threatened, the band came together with one goal in mind: to make vital and honest music. Nine months after the formation of Arma Secreta, its very existence was threatenedwhen Christopher was diagnosed with cancer in December 2003. After surgery and months of recovery, Christopher, Bradley, and former bass player / mixing engineer AlexZhort made a pact that they would not play live again until their record was finished. And that is exactly what Arma Secreta did. The tone of A Century’s Remains is as intricate as it’s back-story. Songs are dark andreflective (“Segue/Debris”), cautiously hopeful (“Turin Style”), determined (“A Good Clean Sweat”), and sexual (“Undressing Underwater”). Certainly the term “math rock”will come up at some point in describing the musical style, and call it what you will, but math implies cold calculation, and Arma Secreta’s music is anything but; A Century’s Remains is a poignant, expressive, visceral narrative.
RIYL: Jawbox, Fugazi, Cursive, Archers of Loaf, These Arms Are Snakes, Modest Mouse, Slint, Quicksand