Supergroups Stateside 4
We're heading off to LA again for a band whose wit, 'film making' and ability to shock their own grandmother have made them stand out as the American indie equivelent of Irelands Ham Sandwich.Their wit may be slightly drier than Irelands award winning kings of wierd wit and killer hooks..(this no doubt due in part to a shortage of buckfast on the american West Coast caused by the rush to buy in Irish pharmacies (see supergroups 1.6 to figure that out!) and this new bands fascination with oversized bushy mustaches - once thought to be partly responsible for forming deserts and dustbowls by sucking the moisture out of the air and soil)... but their music is as expertly driven and delivered as any of the worlds sharpest and tightest signed and independant bands. After teaming through film college, the band approach their songwriting in a similar fashion to producing blockbusters, so their songs and lyrics also play out like fast paced thrillers and action movies filled to the brim
with subtle plot twists and those magical musical moves of direction which draw listeners in to, not just some fantastic sound, but to some fantastic story telling that demands an 'edge of your seat' styled attention.This is clearly a band that will have major labels slobbering at the mouth and A&R guys comiting Hare Kare when they blow rapberries at them from under their big bushy false mustaches as they clearly won't need any bloodsucking hands to help them hit the big time at all. Their recent videos made to go hand in hand with their debut ep will also have many young men and women slobbering at the mouth too. We've included two videos made by LA's new independant filmakers 'Clearlight Productions' with the video for Dear Dictator on the right and the 'making of' video on the left with an extra 'anniversary episode' that also explains just how they managed to shock their own grandmother..caution is advised for small children, Trotsky, Stalin and also some easily excitable middle aged men with heart problems....
For more on the brightest new star from the LA indie scene then get your hairy lips over to the following links to order your own musical break at their five star hotel of sound -not forgetting of course to order in some extra bushy mustaches along with the brilliant new ep from SAINT MOTEL....
The next jawdropper shaking musical foundations hails from Detroit..and unlike many they've stil managed to resist the urge to relocate and remain a solid musical feature in Detroit. The Transfer have actualy been kicking out killer riffs scince 2001 with a sharp sound birthed and inspired by the city's own underground indie and punk boom of the 90's. Lead guitar work that can out gun Guns n Roses while showing more edge than U2's 'The Edge' bursts through the monumental high paced power drumming and empassioned high octane vocals for a sound that is as ice cool as a city snowstorm but blazing with a heart of fire. Their 2005 album Romantics and Addicts is one that would make a prized possession on any playlist and rumours abound of possible new releases in the near future. So Krisko, Larson, Miles, Carls and Poirier are one good reason for Detroits music fans and bands to not only forget about looking elswhere, but they're also a damn good reason for people to move back....even if they never came from Detroit in the first place!
Incidently, another famous name once associated closely with The Transfer is the now world famous Sci-Fi writer Scott Sigler who once slapped The Transfer's Bass for a living in their early days.
With their enigmatic sound now starting to spread around the globe at last it shouldn't be too long before both The Transfer and Detroits music scene again gets the international credit it deserves.For more on the sites and sounds of this exceptional band go here.....
If you love the inspirational electro dance-rock sounds of Le Galaxie's androids having their blood drained (see supergroups 1.8) being blended with the vocal harmonies of the Republic Tigers or perhaps fancy some layed back and chilled trance and with a touch of 10cc and a large slice of New Order then get ready to be bitten by a sound you'll utterly love.Tigers Can Bite You have a multi layered sound that realy does bite . Synthesised melodies act like an anesthetic that lull the sences into a place of relaxation before those giant bass paws and canine guitars slowly sink into your flesh . Soothing vocals reinforce the anesthesia to the point where you gladly allow yourself to be devoured by one of the most beautiful musical creatures of earth. If you suddenly find yourself hearing voices everywhere then thats probably because a) Steve Ward Hears Voices is the actual name of their album (available on iTunes) and b) Once you hear it you'll probably want to buy it and play it all the time. Their video for Second Nature was -for a reason we've yet to fully understand- banned. After a carefull examination, the only explanation we could come up with was the possibility that a human with a scarey eggwhisk might scare alien children who've come to holiday on earth with their alien parents. So we've now added a yellow caution for anyone with alien children - just in case it starts an intergallactic incident.The video for 'Taking And Running Away' is also given a caution as some scenes may well prove a little disturbing for both human children and other primates too. Tigers Can Bite You are currently based in Los Angeles where they are often found utterly mesmerising audiences and opening for friends such as The Silversun Pickups...but with a support like these Tigers devouring the souls of your audience no one else would have the courage to be the headliner! Get bitten by the beautiful sound of this maneater here.....
Another crouching tiger in the very process of pouncing right now is the Shaolin Temple Of Boom . This musical maneater is the brainchild of David Alverez - a man whose musical skills and vision clearly set him apart as a master.Songs that build with classic expertise blow speakers and minds apart with superhuman energy through not only some of the best rock compositions of the century but some of the best electronic fusions and collaberative mixes too. Like Englands Rus Turner and Canada's Never Ending White Lights, Alverez concieves, creates,records, produces and releases all of his music himself through his own label called Atomic Cherry Pie.The one man genius also enlists the aid of equaly talented musicians Borja Rodriguez, Matt Lucich and June Kato for Bass, Drums and the occaisional extra guitar for both studio and stage work with an extra addition to studio production recently coming in the form of Marylyn Manson producer Chris Vrenna. Dues Ex Machina is available now via Fixt and iTunes with more links and releases via the following links.So for intricate music with the grace and balance of a meditating Shoalin master wrapped around the power of a pouncing maneating tiger get gracefully devoured by their sound here...
More of the very best of the Stateside supergroups soon...
Videos and sound appear curtousy of featured artists so please support them and go buy it! Articles and features copyright Mairtin O'Riain and Martin Ryan 2009
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