Indie bands blog

It has taken some time for me to get round to writing about indie bands from France and Chicros, from Paris are a great place to start. Philippe Monthaye (vocals / keyboards / guitar), Mathieu Warsky (vocals / keyboards / harmonica / guitars / bass), Olivier Marguerit (guitars / vocals / string arrangements / keyboard / horns) and Arnaud Cambraye (drums) combine with a stark realism to their music.

Chicros

Chicros are one of those bands who present their message in an understated manner. On the surface appearing to offer great musicianship and creative psychedelic indie pop the output is    far more than this. It is music which is carefully crafted against a backdrop of emotive lyrics as the music paints the picture of each songs entirety. Chicros are a group of creatives, who have found a superb medium on which to paint their canvass. The melodies range across wide influences. The ’60s beat generation one moment is replaced by the output of the alternative bands of the ’80s which may then be replaced by psychedelia. Chicros are confident talented musicians who easily interplay between each other with a sound and style that is absolutely in tune with the lyrical output.

band website

Their recently released album Radiotransmission doesn’t yet have an available digital download, as soon as we get news the indie bands blog will let you know.

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The Steepwater Band were originally formed in 1998 in Chicago, USA, when Jeff Massey (Guitar/Vocals), Joe Winters (Drums) and Tod Bowers (Bass) met at a Black Crowes concert and found a shared interest in Electric Blues. The intervening decade has seen the band tour extensively, both at home and across Europe. Their dedication to playing live performances hasn’t stopped them releasing four studio recorded albums.

The Steepwater Band

Having been together for over a decade, it is great to hear a band who still maintain the edge and spark, which so many far younger bands loose all to quickly. Their extensive touring has enabled The Steepwater Band to play in a confident and relaxed style, enabling them to enjoy the music ever more and as a result instead of becoming a jaded touring band, this experience enables them to have the confidence and interplay between the trio to play spontaneously. The musical output, is presented confidently, with the signature Massey slides is complemented by the strong drum rhythms of Winters and the ability Bowers has to carry melody. The Trio comfortably range through Delta blues, soulful boogie, and backwoods psychedelia, yet remain as fresh and relevant today as when they started out in 1998.

band website

The 2008 released album, Grace and Melody is a superb showcase of The Steepwater Band.

Currently on a tour in the US, their is a European Schedule coming up early next year and the Indie Bands Blog, will be providing these details pretty soon.

Top of the indie bands blog chart as  band of the week for w/e 24th October is Jon and Lynn.

Band of the week: Top 10. Saturday 24th October 2009.

1. Jon and Lynn USA (+ 1 place)
2. The Fury! UK (new entry)
3. Ofeliadorme Italy (new entry)
4. Mono Stereo Sweden (- 3 places)
5. The Drums USA (- 2 places)
6. Gary War – USA (+ 3 places)
7. The Gadsdens UK (- 1 place)
8. Brittni Paiva USA (new entry)
9. Jointpop Trinidad and Tobago (re-entry)
10. Juliet Gough Denmark (- 6 places)

Jon and Lynn

Jon and Lynn from the USA, have taken back the top spot in the indie bands chart. Their recent releases have been particularly popular, as the bass and vocal duo continue to develop output.

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Going off beam a little, but for readers, bands and managers there is a relevance.
I wonder about PR managers, not that I have a downer on them all by any means, in fact some do a fantastic job of promoting their bands. But these beacons shine so brightly simply because so many are absolutely useless.

The wrong PR manager

I regularly receive contacts from PR managers, which always puts me on the back foot, probably because I am so antiquated. I like to speak to bands and I like to speak to fans and I like bands who put themselves out there, but I do understand the world has moved on and there are so many potential sites, radio stations, TV stations etc. that using a PR manager can make some real sense for a band. But I wonder if they and the audience are really getting value for money?

Way too often, just in the short life of this blog, I have received introduction emails from PR managers which indicates to me, they are not giving value for money. They are happy to provide nothing but a press release, which Fool that I am (hey isn’t that on the blog from Jon and Lynn), I can’t help but follow the links and find out about the band myself.

If the band makes sense to the blog, then I will try to get an article posted. I always ask PR managers for release information and tour information and invariably ask for some additional background on the band, often I receive yet another email with excerpts from other websites, why they think that would be of interest I have no idea. That is just laziness on the side of the PR Manager, but it gets far worse.

As regular readers know, the blog runs a range of subsections: new releases; tour news; gig reviews etc.. speaking of which do sign up to the newsletter, link on the right hand side ->->->
for more information.

You may think that the additional articles in these subsections may be of value to the band and the information to be of interest to website readers. But no, the vast majority of PR Managers are not in the least bit interested.

All they chase are ‘another site has written about you’. They can send a wonderful email telling the band how many new websites are writing articles about the band and for this they are paid. They completely ignore ongoing readers and website owners who are interested in following a band, as it is too much effort.

There are a number of bands on the blog, currently on tour and with new releases who are represented by PR Managers who can’t be bothered to reply to emails. The indie bands blog will be releasing occasional articles on  PR Managers, as bands need to know who doesn’t really fulfill a task and who hits the bulls eye.

The Thermals from the USA, have been around since 2002 when Hutch Harris (Vocals / Guitar) and Kathy Foster (bass) got together; after a few changes, Westin Glass (Drums) recently joined as the Drummer.

The Thermals

Describing themselves as the band who found the fourth chord for Punk bands (F#minor), they drive through tracks at a relentless pace and that extra chord makes for a strong melody to accompany the frenetic pace of the music, combined with sharp lyrics.

The overall effect, is that The Thermals have created a band of the time, which retains the raw energy of the early Punk movement. Lyrics crossing protest, self analysis and that essential ingredient of music cut to the bone. They keep their relevance by introducing melodies which have the optimism relevant to now, rather than the bleakness  of much of ’70s punk.

Myspace

Currently on a European tour, The Thermals EP  ‘We were sick‘ , released August 2009 has a tempo reminiscent of  The Clash with an upbeat arrangement that reflects the 21st Century.

Jointpops double A sided single, Please don’t tell my Inlaws (I’m an Outlaw) / Camden Ketchup, soon to be available on itunes, is a serotonin hit to my brain. Since Gary sent me through the CD, it has been become a staple listening requirement.

This is a release which covers many layers. It can be heard as powerful rock, which suits the volume turned up to full to be enjoyed with friends and a drink, or by toning down the volume, the melody, lyrics and atmosphere immediately takes me a new lease of life as the carefree sound of Jointpop comes to the fore and can be listened to in a quiet space.

As soon as the itunes version is available, you can be sure I will get this out to the readers of the indie bands blog.

More by the indie bands blog on Jointpop

Psychic TV (PTV3) originally from Hackney, London, but now resident in New York, USA, are back on tour. Back in 1981, when Throbbing Gristle stopped beating, Genesis P-Orridge (Vocal, noise bass guitar, electric violin) decided to give up on the music scene, but was prompted by Alex Fergusson from Alternative TV to continue and Psychic TV (PTV3) was born. Jess Steward (keyboards), Morrison Edley aka Edward ODowd (drums), David Max (guitar), Gyda Gash (bass) complete the current line-up.

Psychic TV

Fans of Throbbing Gristle, will find Psychic TV something of a departure. Psychedelic  and alternative rock are rooted in the music, which powers out with energy and enthusiasm. The band ride between fast numbers to more esoteric compositions, with the end result being a superb journey into a new environment to explore.

Their current tour takes them across a broad sweep of Europe.

Tickets for the Tabernacle gig on London are available through Bird on the Wire

Blog

The tribute album,  to Lady Jaye Brayer P-Orridge,  Genesis wife, who died in 2007, Mr. Alien Brain vs The Skinwalkers, released in 2008, is a journey well worth taking.

Indie bands blog, keeping you in touch with music.

From Hawaii, Brittni Paiva has taken her preferred instrument, the Ukulele and since 2005 has been creating upbeat heartfelt instrumental music, which she describes as reflecting her emotional life.

Four Strings: The Fire Within

Brittni has garnered considerable interest and following in Hawaii and is now aiming to bring her music to a wider audience and her album Four Strings: The Fire within, due for release on 27th October, is a composition which comprises her most soul searching work to date, is set to bring the Ukulele to a far broader audience. This is a release which brings out the very best in an under-utilised instrument and it is great to hear someone showcasing this effectively with a well produced album, which sees the slower more emotional tracks alongside dance tempo.

website

The new 10 track album, which incorporates both original work and covers, is now available from

The Fury! have a three gigs lined up through to December:

The Fury!

27 Oct 2009 20:00 The Purple Turtle, Camden, London

28 Nov 2009 20:00 The Rowbarge, Guildford

31 Dec 2009 20:00 The Bull, Towcester

More on The Fury! on the indie bands blog

Ofeliadorme from Bologna in Italy, were formed in 2007, when Francesca Bono (Vocals, guitar and Keyboard) got together with Gianluca Modica (Bass, guitar and backing vocal), soon joined by Tato Izzie (Guitar and bass) and Michele Postpischl (Drums and keyboard). Their experimental music is created as members take on different instruments through their atmospheric musical output.

Ofeliadorme

Many bands try to create an atmospheric moods to their music, but few manage to capture this as effectively as Ofeliadorme. The haunting voice of Francesca instantly transports the music to somewhere other-worldly. The music floats between acoustic laden melodies, to louder darker pieces, with superb percussion provided by Michele. The band fit together superbly as they swap instruments and speed, yet retain a menacing brooding presence, that lets the mind wander while simultaneously mesmerised by the lyrical content and creative use of background sound effects, together with the multiple layers of guitar.

Currently tour dates across Italy, with two events in the UK:

20 Oct-Spazio Liberato Ex Breda-Pistoia(IT)
5 Nov-TV12-Manchester (UK) with Carnations
6 Nov- The Cross Kings-London (UK)
12 Nov-Macondo(acoustic set)-Bologna (IT)
16 Jan-Materia Off-Parma(IT)
15 Apr-Brevevita.Ascoli Piceno (IT)
16 Apr-Mamamù-Napoli(IT)

band website

Their six track EP Sometimes it’s better to wait, serves as a superb introduction to Ofeliadorme