LUFTWAFFE is a band, and they hail from the far side of the Schuylkill River in West Philadelphia. If you’re from the area, maybe you’ve heard of them. If not, then you probably haven’t heard of Luftwaffe just yet. There’s another band named Luftwaffe from Chicago, but that’s not who were focused on, just so you don’t get confused. Our Luftwaffe, from Philadelphia, has been hard at work all Summer long to prepare their debut 7″ for the world. They recorded the record together themselves in their bedrooms this Summer, without the air-conditioning on, and now they’re putting out the record themselves as well. The 7″ should be ready sometime this month, so what better time to talk about Luftwaffe? I should probably mention that these guys are cool enough to also give away the entire 7″ for FREE on their Bandcamp page, so check that out while it’s still free!
If they had to describe their music themselves, they would call it “swampy, scattered pop music”. This is certainly an accurate description. The basis of their songs definitely comes from pop-influenced music, but it’s what they do with their sound effects and electronics that makes the songs unique – or “scattered”. They have a great balance of pop and electronics in their songs, and it stands out. The effects aren’t too overbearing or over the top – because seriously, how many times have you heard a song that was just too ridiculous with the sounds? These guys make their effects fit in just right, and it gives the songs much more depth, helping to create a significantly more interesting listen. Find out for yourself with the two songs below. “Old Friends” has a hazy layer of Summer humidity spread out over it’s constant, friendly beeping, while “Never Let Me Go” has an otherworldly, jungle-like feel to it. Get lost in the hypnotizing guitars and the shake of the tambourine as Luftwaffe takes you to the other side. This stuff is great – so please enjoy it. Don’t forget to download your copy of the 7″, because I’m sure it won’t be free forever.
Never Let Me Go –
Old Friends –
My Rating: 7/10 Genre/ Tags: Pop, Experimental, Electronic Quiet Summer 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Never Let Me Go
2.) Old Friends
3.) Warm Blood
DOWNLOAD the 7″ for FREE on the Luftwaffe Bandcamp
For a good while, the WHITE DENIM camp was pretty silent. No announcements of any new records or tours or anything of the sort, even through the past Summer. Been waiting for them to tour the East coast for waaay too long at this point – the waiting is starting to get old. And then – just over a week ago, seemingly out of nowhere – White Denim announced that they had a brand new, free full length record for everybody to download. Talk about surprises.
Packaged along with their exciting announcement, they revealed that they had a brand new guitarist in the band, that they would be touring the West coast in October (go figure), and that they had ANOTHER new record to share with the world in due time. So let’s recap that all real quick: They have a new guitarist and his name is Austin Jenkins. They’re starting their tour of the West coast on October 16th in their home state of Texas, and last but not least, the announcement of their TWO new records. The first is the one that’s free for download. The second would be their third official full length album. That third album is still untitled, but they’ve been hard at work all summer, and they should be wrapping it all up by the end of October. In case yr wondering where I got all this information (because I would be myself), then follow this link here, and here.
So in the mean time while we wait for this third record, White Denim was nice enough to set these other songs free and call it “Last Day of Summer”. They say “This record is something we made as a little summer retreat from our ongoing work on the third full length. Many of these tunes have been bouncing around since the formation of the band back in 06.” So there you have it – that’s the story behind the songs. You can read the rest of that quote right here, where you can also download the record, and even support the band for their efforts. And maybe you should think twice about supporting! Think about it – they just basically released a full length album for free – something that definitely takes up mounds of valuable time and effort. Something they could also make much more money on if they pleased – but no! They did this for the fans. So do them a huge favor and show some support! They’ll need it on their upcoming tour!
Now, divert your attention to the music – in case you can’t do that just yet, first download the album. Now start listening! You’ll first notice the track “I’d Have It Just the Way We Were”, which was originally on their second album “Fits”. Only they changed it up a bit this time. Then comes the joyous, smile-inducing piano in the beautiful mess of the second track “Home Together”.
Seriously though, it’s really hard to write about these White Denim songs. Nothing ever settles down – there’s constant movement all the time. They never keep a sound or pattern going for too long so you can pin it down. It’s like they don’t want you to stop dancing – ever. Things are usually like a huge, sprawling mess that only White Denim could decipher. One song ends, and the other one starts – no drawn out intros or anything that might get old too quickly. They’re constantly seeking out what’s next – whether it’s the chiming, jazzy, elevator-like music of “Incaviglia” with it’s gorgeous guitar playing and unsettling drums. Or the straight down and dirty grit of the song “Champ” – which kind of drifts into space about halfway through – there’s guaranteed to be something to tickle your fancy on this new batch of WD songs.
There’s so much that could be said about the music. Sadly, I’d probably be here all day talking about it if I could, too. Other songs like “Our Get” and “New Coat” start going in opposite directions, but nothing unfamiliar for White Denim. “Our Get” somewhat reminds me of “Syncn” from the end of “Fits”, with that head in the clouds feeling. While “New Coat” is just another undeniably perfect song. It’s got that reassuring and warm, sun-in yr-eyes feeling that only White Denim could possibly whip up. Just trust me when I say, that each and every one of these songs has something unique and fresh about them – there’s a reason to like every last song on the album. If this is how their free album turns out, just imagine what it’s gonna be like when we have to pay for the music! YES! BRING THAT SHIT ON RIGHT NOW!
Home Together –
Tony Fatti –
Champ –
Our Get –
New Coat –
My Rating: 9/10 Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Indie Rock, Experimental Last Day of Summer: Tracklist:
1.) I’d Have It Just the Way We Were
2.) Home Together
3.) Tony Fatti
4.) If You’re Changing
5.) Incaviglia
6.) Light Light Light
7.) Some Wild Going Outward
8.) Champ
9.) Shy Billy
10.) Our Get
11.) Through Your Windows
12.) New Coat
BUY White Denim releases directly from Insound DOWNLOAD Last Day of Summer completely for FREE – Don’t forget to donate!
White Denim on Myspace
White Denim – Fits & Workout Holiday previously on the Drone
If you haven’t heard of YOUNG ADULTS yet, stick around and learn a thing or two. These guys hail from Allston, Massachusetts, and they formed not very long ago in October of 2009. They definitely play a large part in the ever-growing scene that is constantly expanding up in the Boston area – which also includes a few other bands that have been featured on the Drone, like DOOMSTAR! and Girlfriends.
These bands all certainly have a little bit of something in common, and it’s not just their music. Part of it would be that they’re all responsible for the emerging punk and garage rock scene that is taking the Boston area by storm right now. There’s going to be a video documentary on this happening up in Boston, and Young Adults play a big role in that documentary. A film production company in Massachusetts called ExNoise, in association with Foundwaves, will be shooting the documentary and it’s going to be funded by Kickstarter. This will certainly be an interesting watch – can’t wait to hear more about it!
But yeah, put all that information aside for a second, and learn that the Young Adults debut LP is upon us! Yes, it’s true! In this coming November, AMDISCS – a record label based out of Prague in the Czech Republic – will release this debut LP in an edition of 500, and it will also be available digitally in places like iTunes. But seriously, I know you guys are all going to buy the vinyl, so I probably don’t even need that little digital format blurb – right?!
Buy it, and you get nearly 40 minutes of a heavy, glowing mix of garage rock and punk that’s just too good to forget about. Glowing because of all the invigorating, ambient lead guitar that dominates songs like “Let Us Out”, “Wasting Time”, “Rip it Up”, “Impression”, and “Campfires”, amongst many others – and punk because these guys just tear shit up without ever turning around to see the destruction they just caused. They even cover The Wipers song “Over the Edge”, which definitely confirms their punky influences. But no matter what you’re into, you should definitely free up some time to listen to these songs below. All three are highly recommended and shortly after listening, you’ll be eagerly awaiting this debut LP of theirs (as well as the documentary!). Hopefully this growing Boston scene will continue churning out new jams like these.
Wasting Time –
Rip It Up –
Drifting –
My Rating: 8.5/10 Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Punk, Ambient Black Hole: Tracklist:
1.) (Reverie 1)
2.) Let Us Out
3.) Wasting Time
4.) Black Surf
5.) Rip It Up
6.) Impression
7.) Over the Edge
8.) Life Under Review
9.) Annulation
10.) Bummer Summer
11.) Drifting
12.) (Reverie 2)
13.) Campfires
Young Adults on Facebook DOWNLOAD their demo for FREE! – features five songs from the coming LP!
More info. on Young Adults @ AMDISCS – Pre-orders (most likely) coming soon…
Who?: Vermillion Sands w/ Omar, Factors of Four and Slutever Where?: The Drone Duplex in Philadelphia, PA When?: October 2nd, 2010
This past Saturday night was quite a good time. Before I go any further, I want to thank everybody that came out to party and enjoy the show, because it turned out to be a memorable night. Since it all went over without any issues, we can only hope that there will be another show in the very near future!! The Vermillion Sands enjoyed their stay in Philly, and we’re glad they came out to play their bandit style garage rock for us. They were super psyched to be playing at a house party, too, because I think they were ready for some fun. Last night was the last night of their tour, and it ended in Baltimore. Now I think the band is hanging out in the US for a little bit before heading back to Italy. Here’s how Saturday night went down, after the jump: Continue reading “Vermillion Sands – Live in Philadelphia (10/2/10)”→
I hope you all didn’t forget about today! I can’t believe how quickly it crept up on us either! Italy’s own VERMILLION SANDS are probably on their way to Philadelphia as you read this, and they’re coming to play tonight with local Philly bands Omar, Factors of Four, and recently added guests Slutever! (If you haven’t guessed it yourself, the theme/trend for the bands tonight is definitely female singers.)
The show is taking place tonight (Oct. 2nd) in North Philadelphia, around 8-8:30 pm in the Temple U. area, at Park Ave. and Dauphin Streets. The show costs $5, and there are arrangements for people who would like to drink beer! If you’re from the Temple area, just follow Liacouras Walk up the street (to Park Ave.) that leads you behind the McDonalds across from White Hall. Continue walking down Park Ave. until you cross over Dauphin St., and then look for the house with the loud shit going on on your left hand side. If you’re coming from a bit further away in the city, take the Broad Street subway line up the North Philly direction until you reach the Susquehanna/ Dauphin station. Follow the street behind the Rite Aid (which is Park Ave.) until you cross over Dauphin. Then “look for the house with the loud shit going on on your left hand side.” Hopefully nobody has any trouble, but you can get more details right here on the Facebook event page. Hopefully you’ll all come out tonight and witness the madness that will be taking place in my very basement. But just in case you can’t, I’m going to capture a good amount of the show on video for y’all to see sometime next week. So come on out, don’t forget yr $5, drink some beer, and have a great night. See you then.
Yo! I have something slightly different for you guys today. I didn’t have to use that ‘lo-fi’ tag yet again for this post, which was definitely a great change of pace. So much coming out these days has that gritty lo-fi production, so it’s kind of nice to hear music like this for a change. I’m not gonna lie – I kind of forgot this stuff existed! Obviously joking, but this album is certainly a refreshing burst of music with a fuller sound and with overall better production. You get rich and warm layered recordings – definitely a quality that is lost with all of this upcoming ‘lo-fi’ stuff we’re always seeing. So let’s get on with it.
KID ICARUS is a band based out of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and believe it or not, these guys have been around for longer than you might think. Eric Schlittler is the lead man, and it’s been this way since the bands inception way back in 1996. These guys have got at least seven different full length albums, including this one we’re talking about today. “Imaginary Songs & Aluminum Hits” would be the most recent, which is actually the first LP to come from Kid Icarus in over five years. It has a little bit of everything you’d want to hear, with the basis being mostly guitar-driven indie rock. On top of that, the band manages to work in their own unique blend of psychedelia, alongside an equal amount of a twangy folky flair. A few of these tracks have a good amount of heart ache weaved into the mix, as there is definitely a longing feeling in a few of these songs like “Encased” and “A Good Place to End”. Other times it seems like Schlittler is singing about what is happening right in front of him, almost like he’s giving us a play-by-play of exactly what his own two eyes perceive. It helps paint a nice picture as you listen to the songs, and it’ll definitely help you pay attention to the music, because you’ll be wondering what happens next.
Then there’s other songs on the album that were put down just to rock out. Songs like “Dig Architecture”, “Disappearing Act”, “Projection Loop” or “Figure A”, which features a metallic, screaming guitar that may or may not catch you off guard upon first listen. These are the songs that help you forget about the sad times. Then along comes a song like “Who’s Blues”, which kind of sits out of the loop with the rest of the songs in this. It’s like a quick trip to outer-space to record a song real quick and then come back down to Earth to finish the rest of the album. Shortly after this starts the pounding rhythm on “In My Windowed Life”.
These final three songs on the album play into each other almost perfectly, making quite a nice ending to this album. “In My Windowed Life” acts like an intro to the song “Victory Smokes, Victory Gin”, which is another song on it’s own on this album. It has an extremely heavy feel to it, almost like Schlittler has some burdens to unload before it’s all said and done. Heavenly guitars and lyrics about police intrusion make for an interesting story. Then comes “PA Year Zero”, which starts up with some delightful acoustic guitar. This song will definitely put a smile on your face if you’ve been having some hard times lately. Check out the songs I’m leaving for you guys below, because I think yr gonna like them. Whatever you do, don’t forget to listen to “Disappearing Act”. It rocks.
Dig Architecture –
Disappearing Act –
In My Windowed Life –
PA Year Zero –
My Rating: 8/10 Genre/ Tags: Indie Rock, Folk Rock, Psychedelic, Pop Imaginary Songs & Aluminum Hits: Tracklist:
1.) Dig Architecture
2.) A Good Place to End
3.) Disappearing Act
4.) My Mother the Car
5.) Figure A
6.) Encased
7.) Projection Loop
8.) Who’s Blues
9.) In My Windowed Life
10.) Victory Smokes, Victory Gin
11.) PA Year Zero
Kid Icarus – Official Website
Kid Icarus on Myspace BUY this LP directly from Summersteps Records – Limited to 250 !!!
More info. on Kid Icarus right here !
Styrofoam Drone 