Often I get stopped on the street and people ask, "Hey, Chris. Where's the subway?" Then I say, "It's underground." Then they say, "Cool, thanks. What new bands are you listening to?"
Well, well, well. The mainstream music media may be sinking their teeth into Amy Winehouse, Fratellis, The View and Lily Allen and proclaiming them as great new artists or the new British Invasion, but you know we've moved on. I got you covered here. I'm ahead of the curve, looking into my crystal ball and reading tea leaves to bring you three bands that I can't get enough of. At this point, I don't care whether they become the next big thing, they make me fricking joyous every time I hear a song from them. If I could, I would make you a mix CD of their best songs. Then, you too can be converted. This is how I pay it forward.
First, it's Good Shoes, who you know about already if you read this space regularly. The U.K. four-piece from Morden, South London released their full-length debut, Think Before You Speak, last week in the U.K. My copy should arrive any day. Currently, the band is opening for The Rakes on their U.K. tour. Music: think a calmer version of Futureheads via the poppy moments of Pavement.
Second, Los Campesinos!, who I named dropped recently. Seven university friends said, "Hey, man. We're getting the band back together." They signed to Wichita Records in the U.K., so one would suppose that a full-length debut would be imminent. Whatever is available can be downloaded from their website or myspace page. Music: Think Eddie Argos from Art Brut and his girl from the Chalets decided to form their own band and make it as fun as possible.
Finally, on my CD picks for the week you'll see a new selection by a band called Lucky Soul. Their full-length debut, The Great Unwanted, comes out next week in the U.K.. Not only are they on the cusp of being your new favorite band, but sound the alarm! WOOP! WOOP! WOPP! Hot chick alert! Gentleman and ladies meet, Ali Howard. Music: The Cardigans have a dinner party with St. Etienne and The Pipettes. After dinner, they decide to get drunk on after-dinner wine and make songs.
So here are the top five reason these bands will be your new favorites.
5. Even though they are similar sounding to other popular bands, they have some unique qualities. One of things I look for in a band is if the lead singer puts some personality into their vocals, even if they aren't singers per se. Rhys Jones fronts Good Shoes, and he sound like a shy teenager just discovering rock 'n' roll. At first, I found it funny, but it works perfectly with their teen angst songs. With Los Campesinos!, the dueling boy vs. girl vocals are so appealing. Also, I love how they have the courage to release a demo song, "You! Me! Dancing!" that is over six minutes long. Lucky Soul are bringing the Big Band Pop music sound back into modern music, and are making it sex-aye.
4. So far, their music hasn't been ruined by Grey's Anatomy: Someone keep their CDs away from Alexandra Patsavas. As a side note, is it me or are you tired of justifying a band's quality based on if they've been on the show. Oh, look, they're on a medical soap opera, it must be good. And definitely keep them away from Zach Braff
3. Kick ass live performances: A quick search from our overlords at YouTube shows some potential for good times. Here are some results from Good Shoes, Los Campesinos and Lucky Soul. My estimate is that none of these bands will travel over to the U.S. by the summer with all the festivals and what-have-you's. So maybe in the fall. I'll be patient.
2. They seem like nice people: Granted, I don't know them on a personal basis, but you get the sense from their music and their attitude that they are not going to make a name for themselves by slagging off other bands. Look at the Los Campesinos, they're smiling and having a good time.
1. You can play their songs over and over again and not be tired of it: I have been playing on repeat on my iPod "Pictures on My Wall" and "Photos on My Wall" from Good Shoes, "We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives" from Los Campesinos and "Add Your Light To Mine Baby" from Lucky Soul. Like any of your new favorite bands, they'll make you feel better about yourself and give you hope that new music will always be discovered despite the major labels effort to ruin music. Let them, we know what the deal is and where to find to good stuff.
So pass these bands along to your crew members, make someone smile today.
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