[New Album] Spanish Prisoners - Gold Fools

A few months ago I happend check out a band that my friend Bob over at GIMME TINNTUS had been tweeting about constantly. He was particularly impressed with their track “Know No Violence” and after listening I could understand why. 

One more month passed and I had to the chance to attend their album release show at DBA. Not only did they sound great live, but the whole album is a gold mine of art rock gems. It’s one of the best debut albums I’ve come across in a long time. It’s definitely making my top ten this year. They recently ran out of free downloads, so the price is now .50 which is a steal. It’s worth WAY more. However, they did note on their bandcamp page that it would be free again as soon as they worked out a way to make it so. Stream the full album below and then grab it on their bandcamp page.

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No Sky God - The Butcher

I always find it pretty interesting when musicians who usually work behind the scenes step out into the limelight. Stuart Watson, who’s helped craft the enchanting melodies of New York’s Larkin Grimm, Xiu’s Xiu’s Sam Mickens, and The Dirty Projectors’ Nat Baldwin (among others) finally releases his own work with the Brooklyn based Shatter Your Leaves label under the moniker No Sky God.

The band’s tunes are in stark contrast to most of what has been coming out of BK lately, concerned more with “songwriting and emotional directness than studio wizardry or genre-mashing strangeness,” Watson says. We can get on board with that.

The above track, “The Butcher,” is actually a cover of Grimm’s track of the same name, but Watson’s vocals brings an almost adolescent urgency to the track’s metaphysical angst, laid bare over James Marceda’s dreamy guitar. Listen to it, and know you’re not alone. 

NSG’s EP was released yesterday at noskygod.com. Pick it up digitally or on 12” vinyl. 

[NEW BAND] Folding Legs - Freak

Introducing Folding Legs previously known as Otterclan, a four piece residing in Brooklyn although their members come from all over the globe. Katharina Stenbeck’s quirky leading vocals instantly reminded me of Alex Winston and now that I think of it so do the peculiar lyrics “If want a freak I’ll be your nightmare”

From what I’ve heard they have been laying down some fresh tracks in the Converse Rubber Tracks Studio out in Williamsburg. They have three other tracks on their facebook page that are sounding pretty good. I can’t wait to hear what comes out of their new recording session. 

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[New Video] Das Racist - Michael Jackson 

The always entertaining Das Racists have released a video for their track “Michael Jackson” from their third and most recent release Relax. Heema sounds a bit different on this track. He seems to be channeling a little Eminem up in there, no?

Matrimony - Obey Your Guns//

What originally began as a duo in 2009 has grown in to a five piece band with the additions of a bass, drums and banjo/mandolin players. As I’m sure you can imagine their music comes from a folk background but is heavily infused with indie rock stylings. 

Around this time last year they released their debut EP “The Storm & The Eye” which you can listen to and download on their bandcamp page. Very recently they released a single called “Obey Your Guns”. Above is the video and you can grab it for free on their bandcamp page as well.

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-music from my ears. to yours. with love. jp 

Bachelorette - Blanket

I came across Bachelorette while scanning the artists page over at Souterrain Transmissions which by the way is a fantastic label out of Berlin, Germany. Make sure to give them a good once over when you have the chance. 

Anyways, back to the lady of the hour. Bachelorette aka Annabel Alpers is a minimal synth goddess with a voice of an angel hailing all the way from Auckland, New Zealand. The song above “Blanket” will help you to better understand what it is I’m trying convey with that description. She is currently on tour with Peter Bjorn and John, but will be taking a little break tomorrow, May 4th to head on over to Glasslands Gallery for a more intimate performance. One definitely not to be missed. Make sure to pick up your tickets ahead of time here.

-music from my ears. to yours. with love. jp

Tonight will be a very important night in world relations.  On this night Australian Band, The Twerps share the stage with New Jersey born and bred American badasses, Family Portrait.  This historical event will take place at Glassland’s Gallery. 

Things may get a little crazy but with these bands coming together we are hoping to make peace between these two waring nations.  Fingers crossed for a cease fire. But seriously, it’s going to be a great show so if you’re in the NYC or Brooklyn area you best be getting your asses down there!

Grab some tickets here

THE TWERPS - DANCE ALONE

  Family Portrait - Mega-Secrets 

-music from my ears. to yours. with love. jp

Peanut Butter Lovesicle - A Night of Rock & Roll, Whiskey and PBR

It’s too cold to be outside tonight and the Bedford L stop seems a lot further away from Grand St. than I last remember.  Although I have on my heaviest jacket, a shearling beast that I purchased in Argentina some time ago, I can still feel the below freezing temperature creeping through, but I’m convinced it’s worth it.  I’ve watched this band grow over time. They were always good, but there’s nothing like seeing one of your favorites become great, and that’s why I’m braving the cold on this February night.

Trash Bar is warm and the PBR is free, so I’ve automatically forgiven them for playing on such a horrid evening. The band, PBL is setting up.  For those of you who don’t know what PBR stands for, you’re stupid.  However, for those of you that don’t know what PBL stands for, I will cut you some slack because they are relatively new on the Brooklyn music circuit.  PBL officially stands for Peanut Butter Lovesicle, and yes there is a relatively interesting story behind the name because let’s face it, that’s just not one you draw from thin air.

The band stands as three, the D’Arc brothers Jake and Mike who play guitar and bass respectively and their tall blond dreadlocked cousin, Timmy Miller on drums. To complete the family affair Jake and Mikes’ sister Jamie manages the group. Their musical style identifies with straight rock and roll mixed in with that Junior Kimbrough/ Black Keys southern blues rock influence, then add a bit of classic 60’s sounding guitar inspiration and you may start to get the gist. When speaking later, we all agree that their sound is refreshing change from that has been typically found in the Brooklyn music scene recently.

Watching these guys play you can see that they are true musicians, ridiculously in sync with an obvious understanding of their instruments. It just looks easy and natural.  The wild, heavy and raw guitar riffs speak for themselves. They put on a great live show and play off each other’s energy. 

Mike, the man responsible for most of the vocals although the writing is shared equally among the three, coolly taps his bass, ray bans on, leaning in every few minutes to bellow out some lyrics. He rolls back on his heels and keeps the impressive bass line flowing smoothly forward through the set. 

Timmy does more than keep the beat in the background. With his blond dreads thrashing, his animalistic style definitely does not unnoticed (they call him the Puma). He dwarfs the drum set, occasionally leaning in to sing backing and lead vocals.

The eldest brother, Jake, takes on some extraordinary solos. In true rock and roll fashion, he gets down on one knee, then two, hunched over and ripping the guitar, turning it upside down and giving it a good shake all while producing a terrific sound. 

By far my favorite song of theirs is “Hiroshima” and if you’re itching to see someone truly shred then this is the one to catch.  The raw break down at the end will blow your mind.

When the set is over we sit down to speak a bit about the band. There is a plethora of beer glasses already accumulated on the table so we add a few shots of whiskey just for good measure.  Starting out, we speak about the band dynamic. Jake and Mike look at each other and then at Timmy who is sitting next to me in the booth and laugh. “Well, we’re not sure if we’re actually gonna let Tim in the band.  We’re thinking about doing a West Coast tour and recording out there so we may have to bring him.”  Timmy plays along, “Yah, it’s like one of those relationships where you want to take it to the next level but the other person doesn’t want to.”  As a side note these guys have been playing together since before their teen years to anyone who would listen at their family’s summer spot in Ocean City, NJ. 

“So where did the name “Peanut Butter Lovesicle” come from?” I ask. They tell me that on the menu of an Ocean City pizza joint is a pizza the boys concocted and named Peanut Butter Lovesicle, PBL for short.  It is described as, “A musicians dream (nice and spicy) Pepperoni and Hot Peppers.” I’m still not sure if the name fits the description, but at least it’s an explanation.  What else would you expect from a group that was just named, “New Band to Burn One To” by Heavy Planet Stoner Blog. 

I ask them what prompted the move to Brooklyn and what they feel are the major differences between the two spots.  Jake quips, “Well there is just so many people in Ocean City especially in the winter.” They agree on the obvious, that there is way more opportunity here. They mention that there have been a few key people who have really pushed them to make the move and go after this seriously.  

When I continue to ask about living in Brooklyn Timmy looks at me and asks if he can go get a beer because he doesn’t live in Brooklyn. He’s still a student at the University of Rhode Island, studying Geology.  The brothers heckle and boo him saying, “God, you’re so unprofessional” laughing the whole time. I tell him to grab me a beer while he’s up. 

We talk about their favorite venue to play in the area and they quickly respond saying, “Cameo Gallery in the back of the Lovin Cup is an easy favorite.”  They can often be found grabbing eats and drinks at that spot. They feel akin to it not only because it’s a great venue but also due to love and support shown to artists there. They aren’t the first band to tell me that either.  We speak more about their direct influences. Jake makes it a point to say that they have very different styles when it comes to the influences of their own instruments.  He then references the “George Mikan Drill” saying, “we are more influenced by the rhythmic syncopation.” A day or two later Mike texts me to tell me he is also a big fan of the Avett Brothers and we have a quick text sesh about which is his favorite album.

 It’s pretty loud at Trash Bar and I know it will be tough to hear the recorded interview so we wrap it up by talking about their future plans. They are adamant about planning a trip to London and last summer they went to L.A, and recorded some new stuff for a possible EP but nothing is set in stone yet.  

 I announce that the interview is officially over. We all cheers and celebrate with another round of whiskey shots.  All of their supporters, mostly family and close friends from Ocean City and childhood come over to join in the festivities.

Make sure to catch these guys at Cameo Gallery in Brooklyn on March 19th, but for now check out their EP, Heavy Daze Wildcat Craze below.

www.peanutbutterlovesicle.com                                                                     

Photo Credit: Justin Boykin                                          

-music from my ears. to yours. with love. jp