Bright Light Fever : The Oohlas : The Icy Shores

By Greg Swan, on July 31st, 2006%

-Sacramento’s Bright Light Fever have released an mp3 for us to devour prior to their disc, The Evening Owl (Stolen Transmission), coming out at the tail end of 2006.

MP3: Bright Light Fever – “Broken Hands”

-L.A.’s The Oohlas have also dropped a chick rock track on us to pimp their disc, Best Stop Pop (Stolen Transmission), which is due out Sept. 26.

MP3: Oohlas – “Small Parts”

-Minneapolis’ the Icy Shores had a great video release show and have posted their video on here . . . → Read More: Bright Light Fever : The Oohlas : The Icy Shores

ZibraZibra : The End of the Lion

By Greg Swan, on July 31st, 2006%

ZibraZibra
The End of the Lion
Label: Royalty, Etc.

With influences ranging from The Faint’s New Wave synth (“A Robot Never Forgets”) to Mindless Self Indulgence’s vocal spasms mixed over beatbox overload (“ExtraTerrestrisex The Sextraferrestrial”), ZibraZibra’s debut album, The End of the Lion is awash with Atari blips, Casio rhythms, well-timed guitar solos and joyfully adolescent lyrics. This foursome definitely rode the short bus to school, but Wesley Willis don’t have nothing on ZibraZibra. Yet another totally unique group to come from the Minneapolis Royalty, . . . → Read More: ZibraZibra : The End of the Lion

The Brass Kings : Self-Titled

By Greg Swan, on July 31st, 2006%

The Brass Kings
The Brass Kings

Minneapolis singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Kaul is internationally known for his songwriting, and his “O’Brother Where Art Thou meets Minnesota bog” project, The Brass Kings, is a rousing mix of Americana folk and soulful blues. Their self-titled release is so down to earth . . . → Read More: The Brass Kings : Self-Titled

The Divine Requiem : Self-Titled

By Greg Swan, on July 31st, 2006%

The Divine Requiem
The Divine Requiem

The Divine Requiem’s approach to melodic rock isn’t entirely new, but the powerful Seven Mary Three-influenced vocals definitely set it apart. The Minneapolis quartet’s full-length debut, Days, Hours and Minutes to Seconds, is worth . . . → Read More: The Divine Requiem : Self-Titled

Muse : State Theater, Minneapolis MN (July 26, 2006)

By Greg Swan, on July 28th, 2006%

Our review as published at Filter Magazine:

Muse
State Theater, Minneapolis MN (July 26, 2006)

As 2,000+ Muse fans piled into the historic State Theater for Muse’s sold out show Wednesday evening, there’s no question escaping the 90 degree heat wave — essentially hell for snow-loving Minnesotans — was foremost in the minds of the tattooed, studded, Batman shirt, and/or ripped jean-sporting Muse fans.

But what waited inside the cool confines of the aging Victorian venue was a blistering fury of emotion, intensity, passion and guilty rapture, marred only by a shorter-than-desired set and a penchant for 100+ decibels.

Muse, who haven’t visited the Twin Cities since their sold out Quest Club stop in November 2004, were instantaneously more at home in the larger State Theater. The 1920s Minneapolis gem is a veritable explosion of ostentatious gold leaf ornamentation, and the perfect over-the-top, melodramatic venue for three childhood friends from Teignmouth, U.K. to put on the performance of the year for a sold-out crowd of Minneapolis hipsters.
Read on…
Continue reading Muse : State Theater, Minneapolis MN (July 26, 2006)

Battle of Bands : Rediscover: Jennifer Glass : Slayer

By Greg Swan, on July 28th, 2006%

-Planning for the 8th Annual “B.O.B.” 2006 Battle Of the Bands Festival is underway! Bands representing alternative, punk, rock, rap, blues, metal, country, goth, hip hop, metal and more are competing for national and regional prizes and cash in the longest running festival of its kind. The Festival began July 1st and runs until September 30th.

MN dates are:
Thursday, August 24th. O’Gara’s, St. Paul, MN
Friday, August 25th. Club Underground, Minneapolis, MN
Saturday, August 26th. Station 4, St. Paul, MN

If you are interested in registering your band, being a volunteer or judge, contact Rod Belford or 702-353-8178 or visit the official “B.O.B.” Web site.

-Toledo’s . . . → Read More: Battle of Bands : Rediscover: Jennifer Glass : Slayer

Under the Influence of Giants : Self-Titled

By Greg Swan, on July 26th, 2006%

Under the Influence of Giants
Under the Influence of Giants
Label: Island
In stores: August 8

If you live in an alternate universe populated by leisure suits and afros, you wouldn’t blink twice at So-Cal’s Under the Influence of Giants (myspace) and their full-length debut.

But ever since Travolta gave up dancing and Shaft joined a cult, funk music has experienced a misunderstood appreciation by newer generations, who we’re positive are unsure of the influence groove-based funk has had on modern music.

Enter UTIOG and their unapologetic, embraced and refined influences of Earth, Wind & Fire, Bee Gees, Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, the Who, Hall & . . . → Read More: Under the Influence of Giants : Self-Titled

Jet prepare album, streams ready now

By Greg Swan, on July 25th, 2006%

Australia’s Jet is readying Shine On, the follow-up to their 2003 hit Get Born, set for release on October 3rd. With producer Dave Sardy on board again, we can expect another healthy dose of classic garage rock.

The album’s first single, “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is,” hits radio August 7th. Tour info forthcoming.

In the meantime, check out the preview video and . . . → Read More: Jet prepare album, streams ready now

New Music Tuesday : MP3s

By Greg Swan, on July 25th, 2006%

Black Fiction
Ghost Ride
Label: Howells Transmitter
Buy at iTunes Music Store
MP3: “Magic Hands” (192kbps)

Perish
Our Sin
Label: Anko Records
Buy at iTunes Music Store
MP3: “Our Sin” (192kbps)

Mondo Jet Set
Henry After A Nightlife
Label: Pink Hedgehog Records
Buy at iTunes Music Store
MP3: “Siren . . . → Read More: New Music Tuesday : MP3s

Art Brut : Bang Bang Rock & Roll

By Greg Swan, on July 25th, 2006%

Art Brut
Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Label: Downtown

We may be late to the game, but we’ve only recently given Art Brut’s CD a proper listen and just had to write something. Sure, we’d heard all the buzz about NME’s darling child from South London. We’ve even had “Formed a Band” on our rotation for a while, but somehow given recent world events paired with lyrics like “I wanna be the boy/The man that writes the song/That makes Israel and Palestine/Get along,” perhaps there’s no better time for Cockney-speak-singing art punk discovery than right now.

AND, Art Brut and We Are Scientists (album review) . . . → Read More: Art Brut : Bang Bang Rock & Roll