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New Bands We Love

February 2006

The Morning After Girls

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WHO: The Morning After Girls are made up of Anton Jakovlijevic (percussion), Scott von Ryper (bass guitar/vocals), Aime’e Nash (vocals/guitars/keyboards/percussion), Martin B. Sleeman (vocals/guitar) and Sacha Lucashenko (vocals/guitar). Formed in Melbourne, Australia three years ago, they are now based in Sydney.

WHAT: The band blend striking melodies and sounds with psychedelic-infused pop-rock overlayed with vocals which range from tortured to raucous squealings to produce a glorious, infectious maelstrom.

WHY: They have toured heroically in the States, and currently supporting Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. They have begun to amass a significant following courtesy of their impressive, high-octane live shows. Their first long-player is a  combination of their two acclaimed EPs. The imaginatively titled “Prelude EPs: 1 & 2” will be available in the UK in early 2006 and is well worth a look.

The Motorettes 

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WHO: Childhood pals Robin, Jack and Jed. Jack and Jed are brothers and Robin lived around the corner from them growing up in Tynemouth, in the North-East of England.

WHAT: Coming out of the burgeoning North-Eastern music scene and pioneering the two and a half minute pop song, these boys believe in the raw power of rock and are no strangers to beautiful melodies and harmonies. Coming in at just the right balance of garage-y angst and love-struck wistfulness, their tracks are punky-pop perfection.

WHY: The Futureheads say they’re the best band in the world, and T4 and MTV2 can’t get enough of them. Check out of their storming current single “Super Heartbeats” for a taste of what the boy’s can do.

The Early Years

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WHO: Roger Mackin, Dave Malkinson and Phil Raines. They are also currently looking for new member to “expand their sonic template” - applications welcome!

WHAT: The Early Years produce a unique post-rock fusion which brings together guitar noises, feedback, drones, distortion and wah with metronomic beats but still manages to be rather listenable. Influenced by the likes of Mogwai, Spiritualized, Secret Machines and Tortoise, the band also doff their caps to 60’s garage bands and early psychedelia.

WHY: Their first single “All Ones and Zeroes” (co-produced by Tim Holmes from Death in Vegas) has come out to varied plaudits and they are currently working on their eagerly awaited album.  Catch them on tour with Calla in the early part of this year.

Celebration

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WHO: Sean Antanaitis (multi-instrumentalist), David Bergander (drums) and Katrina Ford (vocals). Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland in the US.

WHAT: A unique example of genre-crossing, Celebration are taking every influence you could imagine and throwing them together in a way that shouldn't work, but seems to. From dark, 80’s no-wave reminiscent of the London and New York scenes to high-brow art-rock and soothing gyspy folk, the band blend Katrina’s rangy vocals with everything from African beats to malevolent synths.

WHY: May not fulfill the criteria for “radio-friendly-unit-shifters”, but  there was enough substance in the band’s upcoming debut record to persuade TV on the Radio’s David Sitell to produce it and his bandmates to provide extra vocals and instrumentals which makes it worth a look. Their live shows are also legendary for their blurring of band/crowd divisions - watch this space.

Boy Kill Boy

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WHO: Chris (vocals/guitar), Shaz (drums), Pete (keyboards), Kev (bass/vocals). The band emerged from the East London “scene”.

WHAT: Combining the majesty of the soaring melody with head-jamming rock riffs and 80’s electro-pop, the boys are churning out storming floor-fillers which bring the idea of the anthemic chorus back to life. They have so far been compared to everyone from The Smiths to Hard-Fi.

WHY: The choice of every music industry professional for 2006, Boy Kill Boy’s song-writing ability and shave sophistication has made them a special favourite of Zane Lowe, XFM and NME to name but a few. There is now even more heat under them after the release of infectious single “Back Again” and a headline tour and debut album are set to follow in the near future.

Love Is All 

• Myspace

WHO: Nicholaus Sparding (guitar/vocals), Fredrik Eriksson (saxophone), Markus Gorsch (drums), Johan Lindwak (bass) and Josephine Olausson (vocals/keyboards). The group hail from Gothenberg, Sweden.

WHAT: Described as having the lo-fi feel of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, with the instrumental soundscapes of Arcade Fire and a certain Josef K post-punk charm, the band produce punchy, infectious tracks which bring multi-instrumental sonic assaults together with screeching vocal ferocity.

WHY: After a triumphant appearance at South by South West and mammoth tour of America’s coolest music venues, the band wet UK appetites by doing a one-off, A & R packed  London show  in support of their album “Nine Times That Same Song”. Keep your eyes open for this band in 2006.

Eight Legs

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WHO: Sam Jolly (vocals/guitars), Jack Wharton (guitars) Adam Neal (Bass) and Jack Garside (drums) Hailing from Stratford Upon Avon.
 
WHAT: Formerly known as Superheroes, this bunch of teenagers have toured the lengths and breadths of the country, striking a blow for quality guitar bands everywhere. Compared to The Smiths, The Libertines and everything in between, they produce infectious, indie gems which could make even the jaded sit up and take notice.
 
WHY: The boys are being lauded in all quarters as the new saviours of indie rock, and have even drawn the attention of the fashion glitterati. They were asked to produce the soundtrack ‘These Grey Days’ for Hedi Slimaine’s Dior Homme Paris Winter show - an honour previously bestowed on the likes of Razorlight. Watch out 2006! 

Words: Layne Lomax

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