Gene - Fighting Fit

I can't take it
To much time's been wasted
So come and get my plateful
I am fighting fit and able
I can't take it
When you slide and twist it hurts me
So settle down and let me
I've tasted life
I'm ready

Yesterday's featured band, Blaenavon, reminds me in many ways of one of my favorite 90's bands, Gene. Formed in the mid 90's, they weren't all that well known, but did get some attention, mostly in the UK, and had a solid string of nicely constructed albums, all of which are worth a listen.

They often draw comparisons to The Smiths, mostly due to vocal similarities between lead singer Martin Rossiter and Morrissey. A fair comparison, and I suppose you could make others between the two bands, but, make no mistake, Gene doesn't feel like a Smith's knock-off, rather they're an example of some of the best British rock to come out of the 90's.

Upcoming Shows

Blaenavon - My Bark Is Your Bite

My bark is your bite, but time after time, I lie because the mind says it's the best thing to do, for you.
The mind says it's the best thing to do, for you, my mind says it's the best thing to do.
My bark is your bite, it's like kind of right, but I lie because the mind says it's the best thing to do.
So I'll take one more chance, I'll dance if you'll dance.
I'll try because, the mind says it's the best thing do.
The mind says it's the best thing to do, for you.
My mind says it's the best thing to do.

I stumbled across Hampshire, UK three-piece Blaenavon this weekend and I think I found a new favorite. Blaenavon is named, I think, after a small town in Wales and while I can't seem to find a whole lot about them, I think it's clear they're a very talented young band on the rise. They don't have much out yet, just a couple of EPs, but I've listened to and I'm a bit obsessed at the moment. 

Every track is solid and it took me forever to pick a song to showcase. From "Prague" which gives off a bit of a We Were Promised Jetpacks vibe to the stellar "My Bark Is Your Bite" (their most recent, and my eventual choice) and the dreamy "Wunderkind" which got me thinking of one of my all time favorite bands, Gene. They also reminded me of times of Foals, Radiohead and Little Comets. So they're in good company. There is so much going on in their music, and I can't wait to hear more. Here's to hoping they've got a full-length coming soon, and, fingers crossed a US tour.

Upcoming Shows

PAPA - Hold On

If you let them, they'll tell you what clothes to wear
So every time you see some asshole walking down the street in your tee shirt
You wonder, "Hey, is that me?"
And if you let them, they'll tell which records to buy
Which sound nothing like the love you make
But would be the soundtrack for your misery

PAPA is, basically, your sexiest nightmare, a group of (spicy bold amoebas) guys out of Encino, CA. The lead singer is also the drummer, so that's fun. Their lyrics and sound are refreshing modern indie rock that is too irreverent to be hipster, and yet still too cool for school. I have a lot of favorites in their back catalogue, but off their latest release (Kick the Dust, came out last month) it was a real coin toss to share this track or "Comfort's a Killer" so I'm giving you a bonus track...  Happy weekend, all!

Upcoming Shows