Archived entries for garage

Vermillion Sands: Garage Done the Italo Way

MARY 7-INCH

Vermillion Sands may be from Treviso, Italy, but that doesn’t stop the quartet from churning out solid American-styled garage meets country-rock’n'roll. Fronted by the Italian version of Holly Golightly, Vermellion Sands’ single “Mary” is a catchy as hell garage-pop number with a killer hook, swinging bassline, weird electronic manipulations, and a tough fuzzed-out guitar set off by the snarly infectious vocals of lead guitarist Anna. The edgy single has had me hooked by the balls from the opening line of “Oh rainy days well I can’t stand you any more…” Sorta like another “Mary” that I know.

The country-rock‘n’roll b-side “Wake Me When I Die” reveals more of the Golightly and Johnny Cash Americana influence with a twangy guitar and trudging rhythm section. The 7” is out now via Italian imprint RIJAPOV records, with 100 copies pressed on red vinyl and 300 copies on black vinyl.

[MP3]: Vermillion Sands  ”Mary”
Mary 7″, Rijapov; 2008

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April Favorites | Dominique Leone, Thee Oh Sees

This list of April favorites stands in stark contrast to what I was listening to last year around this time. If I remember correctly, it was all about The Field, Gui Boratto, Pantha du Prince, and other electronic acts keeping me company as I packed for my move to Philadelphia. A year later and the songs below show a turn toward more organic sounds, mostly psychedelia, folk, and some blues. Maybe it’s the change of scenery, with New York representing the minimal electronic sounds that fit its cold, stark landscape and the fact that Philly feels more in touch with the natural world. This city has its fair share of greenery and I don’t have to climb to my roof or traverse to the bikepath along the Hudson to catch a glimpse of the sun and sky.

FLEET FOXES

FLEET FOXES
Fleet Foxes, Subpop; 2008
[MP3]: “White Winter Hymnal”
This record was the perfect listen on Saturday morning as I pulled myself together from the previous night’s haze. I sat on my bed soaking up the sun that poured into the room sipping on a coffee and kicking back some much needed Advil, this, of course, after spacing on Radiohead tickets.

THE WAR ON DRUGS

THE WAR ON DRUGS
Wagonwheel Blues, Secretly Canadian; 2008
[MP3]: “Taking the Farm”
The War on Drugs were one of the first bands that I was introduced to after moving to the City of Brotherly love. I wasn’t initially thrilled on the first few spins of their Barrel of Batteries EP, as it took a few listens to adjust to Adam Granduciel’s Dylan-esque vocals. Eventually, the band won me over and the impressive Wagonwheel Blues further cements them as one of my favorite bands in Philly.

DOMINIQUE LEONE

DOMINIQUE LEONE
Dominique Leone EP, Feedelity; 2007
[MP3]: “Duyen”
Dominique Leone was the first act to be signed to Strømland Records, the imprint started by the people behind Norway’s Smalltown Supersound and Lindstrøm. On his genre spanning self-titled EP, the San Francisco-based Leone pulls together the best of both April’s for me with minimal beats stacked against sunny psychedelic pop, oddball samples, and classical arrangements. Stunning.

THEE OH SEES

THEE OH SEES
The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In, Tomlab; 2008
[MP3]: “Ghost in the Trees”
Another San Francisco-based act, Thee Oh Sees, follow 2007’s Sucks Blood with The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In. The LP treds somewhere between the band’s supposed goo-rock and garage rock. John Dwyer (Coachwhips) is now supported by a three piece who pack catchy driving melodies, catchy background harmonies, heavy feedback, and pounding drums into this fifteen track LP.

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
TBA; 2008
[MP3]: “Tiny Concerts”
Circulatory System are back with three new songs after a seven year hiatus. No one’s really sure if these hazy, lo-fi, jazz-infused psychedelic numbers are the beginnings of the new record, slated for a fall release. Here’s to hoping.

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The Cobbs

cobbs.jpg

The Cobbs have become one of my favorite live acts in the city ever since seeing them for the first time this summer at one of Philadelphia Weekly’s outdoor jams at Rittenhouse Square. The five-piece lead by Paul and Ryan Cobb (not actually related) played a solid all Philly bill on Friday night at Johnny Brenda’s with Cowmuddy and (the recently returned to Philly) Blood Feathers.

I’ve seen the unsigned act at various venues in Philly and New York, but on Friday night The Cobbs brought the fucking roof down at Johnny Brenda’s. A combination of JB’s sound system and an incredibly tight garage-psych inspired set by The Cobbs made braving the cold that night a wise choice. A perfect “first” show to kick off the New Year. This is one of the best live acts in Philadelphia.

Paul and Ryan have been making music in one form or another since high school under the monikers “The Trip,” “Ty Cobb,” and “Mad Action.” For their most recent project, the duo teamed up with members of Philly’s “Bombs” which included bassist Maxwell Lee, drummer Chris Coello, and guitarist/keyboardist Ryan Smith to form The Cobbs. Their debut record, Sing the Deathcapades, a combination of garage and psych rock was self-released in 2006. The band got some good press over the summer when they took their live act on the road supporting Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on some of their U.S. dates.

Not sure what The Cobbs have up their sleeves in regards to upcoming releases, but those of you living in/around Philadelphia should be sure to catch them live on January 25th with a slew of other kick ass Philly bands. But, I’m sure I didn’t have to tell you that. Check out the sleazy and stomping “Say You Never Knew Me” below along with the video for “Smile,” and head over to the band’s MySpace page for the dream psych track “Lift,” one of my favorite recorded tracks from The Cobbs.

[MP3]: The Cobbs  ”Say You Never Knew Me”
Sing the Deathcapades, Self-Released; 2006

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtWI5E6g0Ao[/youtube]

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