Allston Rock City: New Music Everyday

New Site

2009-06-11T18:11:00.003-04:00

We've given the site a new home and a whole new look check it out at www.allstonrockcity.indiecircuit.com, make sure to follow us on twitter @allstonrc

Lymbyc Systym

2008-11-11T01:22:00.006-05:00

Location: Brooklyn, Austin
Record Label: Magic Bullet Records , & Records, Mush Records
Sounds like: Explosions in the Sky, Aphex Twin, Her Space Holiday

Go listen to Lymbyc Systym !

The One AM Radio

2008-11-11T01:16:00.004-05:00

Location: Los Angelas, CA
Record Label: Dangerbird (US and Japan)
Sounds Like: Lo-fi indie pop, The Dismemberment Plan
Recomended songs: Plans
The One AM Radio

This Will Destroy You

2008-11-11T01:06:00.005-05:00

Location: Texas
Record Label: Magic Bullet Records
Sounds like: Explosions in the Sky with electronics and strings sometimes
Listen to This Will Detroy You

TK Webb and the Visions

2008-11-09T20:56:00.003-05:00

Label: Kemado Records
Location: Brooklyn, NY
For Fans Of: Led Zeppelin
Recommended Song: "Shame"

TK Webb & the Visions on Myspace

Gavin Castleton

2008-11-02T00:46:00.007-04:00

Gavin Castleton has been a favorite artist of mine for many years. I first heard of Gavin as his role of keyboardist/half-singer of Providence based Gruvis Malt, which has been inactive since 2005. Gavin Castleton has released nearly 50 records to date with groups he has been a part of or as a solo artist. The entire discography can be viewed HERE . Gavin Castleotn has released seven solo records in the last four years as well as two with his band Ebu Gogo . Gavin maintains a blog . here , where he posts short stories related to his records, un-released audio, and documents the production of his upcoming release "Home". After over two years of an unimaginable work on the album Gavin Castleton has released the first single from the album "Unparallel Rabbits" via his MySpace and I tunes. I strongly urge everyone to give this guy a listen, dig into his whole catalogue of work both solo and with bands.

Gavin Castleton's MySpace
Gavin Castleton's Blog

Looking Glass Wars

2008-10-29T23:48:00.002-04:00

Today's band is Westchester County, New York's Looking Glass Wars.

Location: Westchester County, New York
Label: Unsigned
For Fans of: Bayside, Brand New
Recommended Tunes: "She's Mad Madly In Love" and "Is This Really Poison?"
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lookingglasswars
How I Found Them: I've been following Looking Glass Wars since they started, they're made up of ex members from previous well known southern New York indie rock bands.

Hello Spencer

2008-10-28T05:06:00.010-04:00

Speaking of Tennessee, check out Hello Spencer. Ambient, shimmering guitars. Energetic drums. Singer kinda sounds like a mature Dustin from Thrice (minus the screaming). One hit away from being a hit band.

Label: Unsigned
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
For Fans Of: Mute Math, Dredg, Open Hand, National Skyline
Recommended Song: "Compromised Time"

Hello Spencer on Myspace

Lorien

2008-10-24T17:06:00.002-04:00

Nashville has had a long reputation of being a Country Music town, since that entire industry is based there. However, Nashville has much more to offer than country. One band breaking out of Nashville's country stereotype is indie rock group Lorien. I would describe them as an indie rock version of Muse meets as Tall as Lions. These four gentleman and lady write catchy, well-crafted songs without compromising creativity and musical "complexity". This band has made their way on to top unsigned band lists from the Daily Chorus and Absolute Punk. Once this band gets done with college degrees and whatever else is keeping them from touring non-stop, they will be able to go as far as they want to go.

Reccommended songs: You Got Me Down, Monster Ate the Pilot
Similar Artists: Muse, Gatsby's American Dream, As Tall As Lions

Visit Lorien on MySpace

La Cosa Nostra

2008-10-23T12:50:00.002-04:00

La Cosa Nostra is a band I've known for a long time, and has some potential, if they ever get all their cards in order they could put out some great music.

Location: Mahopac, New York
Label: Unsigned
For Fans of: At The Drive In, Fall of Troy
Recommended Tunes: "Shutt Yo Mutt" and "Episcapallian Mamallian"(from 1:30 on)
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lacosanostra44
How I Found Them: Recommendation from a friend.

City of Ships

2008-10-19T23:26:00.001-04:00

City of Ships hales from Richmond, VA, but their MySpace simply lists their location at "transient". This could be in part to a very heaving touring schedule the band is taking part in right now across the entire US. The band has a heavy and big sound that is surprising considering there are only three members in the group. The amount of sound produced by this trio is enough reason alone to give this band some attention. City of Ships as a heavy group is very good, and I'm surprised they aren't signed to a prominent label for heavier music, but they also manage to write softer and more melodic material that is just as enjoyable. The more I listen to this band the more I enjoy them; they are extremely talented musicians who write well-crafted, intricate, and creative music.

Similar Artists: Isis, Between the Buried and Me, Tool

Check out City of Ships on MySpace or on their Official Website

Greene Reveal

2008-10-17T15:59:00.006-04:00

New York's Greene Reveal is another band I've been following for a good couple years now and am very happy with how they've continued to progress as a band. Hopefully someone will pick these guys up soon.

Location: Watertown, New York
Label: Unsigned(I can't imagine for much longer)
For Fans Of: Circa Survive, Aberdien
Recommended Tunes: "Karakul Carpets VA" and "Happiness"
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/greenereveal
How I Found Them: I clicked on their myspace page by mistake a little over 2 years ago, and I thank my mouse.

Kites

2008-10-17T02:01:00.014-04:00

Label: none
Location: NYC
For Fans Of: Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, National Skyline
Recommended Song: "Daylight"

The song "Daylight" is an epic rock production that you have to hear. Jean-Philip Grobler, a South-African-turned-Brooklynite, is writing incredible music. He has a touring band but unfortunately he's holed up in South Africa right now working on visa complications.

Kites on Myspace

Lady Radiator

2008-10-16T12:09:00.005-04:00

Lady Radiator is yet another great band out of the great state of New Jersey, and have comprised most of what I've been listening to over the past couple days.
Location: Union City, New Jersey
Label: Emerald Moon Records
For Fans of: At The Drive In, Circa Survive, Glassjaw
Recommended Tunes: "Ready Explode" and "Elude"
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ladyradiatormusic

Video:

Asobi Seksu

2008-10-16T00:42:00.003-04:00

This band isn't exactly unknown, they're signed to Polyvinyl Record Co. in the US and One Little Indian in Europe. Polyvinyl has always been one of my favorite indie labels in the US and being on Bjork's label, One Little Indian, just makes them that much more awesome. Asobi Seksu is eclectic pop music, at times upbeat and playful, other times it's subdued and melancholy, but no matter what they do they do it well The group is a guy, James Hanna, and a girl, Yuki Chikudate (she's a "looker"). The band is leaving their homebase of Brooklyn to tour the US and Canada before heading off to Europe in November.

Go read more about them and listen to good music at their MySpace page

Lovedrug

2008-10-15T21:01:00.008-04:00

Delicious dark rock.

Label: The Militia Group
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
For Fans Of: Silversun Pickups, Stateless, Nine Inch Nails (maybe), dark things
Recommended Song: "The Dirtiest Queen"

Complaints:
The singer has a cool voice, but it's too reminiscent of Maroon 5, not human or relate-able enough.

What They Look Like:
Kinda famous. Maybe not famous enough. I can't really tell who the "front man" is in their pictures. In this picture above, for example, the two guys on the right are more qualified to be front men than the guy closest to the camera.

Lovedrug on Myspace

Longview

2008-10-14T23:08:00.003-04:00

It's been a few days since I've posted any new music. I've been busy personally saving the global economy/hanging out with some food poisoning. Anyways, check out this band from London called Longview. The music very cinematic/moody, which on the right occasion, can be a great thing. It kind of reminds me of what would happen if Coldplay hung out with the Smiths for 20 years straight since 1988, if that makes sense (it does). Check out the song "Further" on the band's MySpace page here

National Skyline

2008-10-12T05:03:00.013-04:00

This may or may not be an accurate depiction of the band National Skyline.

National Skyline is hard to pin down. Between Myspace and a Wikipedia entry, I'm not really sure who they are, what label they're on, where they live, etc. From what I've seen of Myspace comments, the band is mainly a guy named Jeff Garber.

Just listen to "Pack Up." It's a really cool, ethereal pop song. Kinda reminds me of U2's "Beautiful Day" but with a much less pretentious singer. One of his songs was featured on The Hills or some such show a while back.

Label: Adventure Broadcasting Recording Co.
Location: L.A.
For Fans Of: Failure, My Bloody Valentine, commercials for The OC
Recommended Song: "Pack Up"

Complaints:
Another song, "The Last Day" is just lame pop cleverly disguised by echo effects.

National Skyline on Myspace

Nurses

2008-10-11T13:19:00.001-04:00

Nurses is on my short list of favorite new bands (along with Whitey and Sol Seppy). These guys are prolific songwriters. They could be the [some old guy I don't like] of our generation. All they have to do is somehow apply their talent to this confusing social climate we're in right now. Their songs remind me of wolves howling in a dark northwestern forest. With log cabins.

Label: Sargent House
Location: Portland, Oregan
For Fans Of: Fleetwood Mac, Fleet Foxes, Fleetity Fleet Fleet (...),
Recommended Song: Lita, Techicolor (both of which can be downloaded free off their Myspace player)

Complaints:
None yet. Even their band name is pretty cool.

What They Look Like:
A bunch of hippie lumberjacks.

Nurses on Myspace

Crystal Antlers

2008-10-09T12:37:00.007-04:00

Check out the chorus to "A Thousand Eyes." Seriously intense, rocking stuff. If their other songs were this good I'd say they could legitimately "save rock" (not that I think that's a worthwhile pursuit). Label-mates with Allston Rock City-featured artist All The Saints. I like the singer's voice. Not the most proficient guy in the world but he sounds like he means it.

Label: Touch and Go
Location: Long Beach, California
For Fans Of: Zombies, the 60s
Recommended Song: "A Thousand Eyes"

Check out Crystal Antlers on Myspace

How They Look:
Crystal Antlers is missing their "the cute one" member. Maybe their merch girl plays tambourine? These guys could take a lesson from Boy Crisis. They look like a bunch of goofs, which doesn't match A Thousand Eyes or their singer's voice. Not that I really care because the rest of their stuff hasn't really struck me. Maybe I need to give them a harder listen.

Complaints:
Their other songs aren't as cohesive or hook-y as A Thousand Eyes. Come on people, HITS HITS HITS!

Facing New York

2008-10-08T20:18:00.004-04:00

Facing New York has been one of my favorite bands since high school. They began as a five piece, eventually lost one member to college and other things, and most recently, their guitarist Matt Fazzi has left the band to join Taking Back Sunday (Taking Back Sunday playing in odd time signatures?) With only three members the band just released their most ambitious and in my own opinion, their best record yet. Their latest release "Get Hot" is a concoction of 70's prof and R&B, Afro-beat, and modern indie rock. What this band has lost in size, they have made up for in creativity and determination which shows in "Get Hot". While the music industry is going through it's downsizing/reshaping/whatever, Facing New York has proved that no matter what state the music industry is in, music is continuing to grow and move forward.

For fans of: Neptunes, Fela Kuti, Dismemberment Plan, Yes, The Beatles

Facing New York on Myspace
Stream "Get Hot" for free this week on Pure Volume!

Boy Crisis

2008-10-08T05:24:00.008-04:00

Hipster disco.

This is what Head Automatica could have been. I recently saw Boy Crisis open for Does It Offend You, Yeah? at the Bowery Ballroom and realized what a horrible mistake I've been making by not writing dance music all these years. I was dancing like hell and I'd never even heard of them. The energy was incredible... The stuff online is pretty good but still doesn't do it justice. They need to get the guy that did the MGMT record to do theirs. This concert was aggressive in a way that I've never seen from dance music. I don't think it was the Tequila either. Maybe this club vs. home stereo disparity explains "Laffy Taffy"...

I'll defer the rest of my thoughts to their Myspace bio:

Boy Crisis is a "Brooklyn buzz band." They are well-liked in the blogosphere. They are hip and marketable to several youthy demographics. They have "crossover appeal." They have an "ethnic band member."

Label: Unsigned
Location: Brooklyn, NY
For Fans Of: Gang of Four, Head Automatica, Party Monster (yes, the movie)
Recommended Song: Dressed To Digress

Complaints:
Most of their material has yet to be recorded.

How They Look:
A hodgepodge of 80s paraphernalia. Two singers, and it works. One of the singers is short, skinny, maybe even uncertain. That's what made me think of (Seth Green in) Party Monster. They both have great stage presence.

Boy Crisis on Myspace

It Was The Best of Times

2008-10-06T21:38:00.004-04:00

I've been following It Was The Best of Times for a little over 2 years now and I'm a fan of what they're doing and how they've progressed.

Location: Carolina, Rhode Island

Label: Unsigned
For Fans Of: Circa Survive, Paramore, As Tall As Lions
Recommended Songs: "On Her Knees" and "Your Life on a Silver Platter"

Video:

Check them out... now.

FourColor/FilFla/fonica

2008-10-06T20:48:00.008-04:00

From the same country that brought you Ninja Warrior and teriyaki, now brings the world a new gift FourColor/FilFla/fonica. This "group" is actually three separate musical projects led Keiichi Sugimoto, Tetsuro Yasunaga and Namiko Sasamoto. This is contemporary music that can be listened to and enjoyed without worrying about dancing or selling records. It takes elements of electronica, folk, and traditional japanese elements to make beautiful and exciting music. They are playing he Send + Receive Festival in Canada in October and will also at Berklee College of Music's David Friend Recital Hall on October 20th.

+1 Japan

FourColor/FilFla/fonica on MySpace

Bad Rabbits

2008-10-03T18:02:00.005-04:00

My pick today is a new band based out of Boston, MA called Bad Rabbits. I don't really know much about the band other than they do a really good job creating their own unique blend of R&B and melodic rock. Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes gave them a shout out at Warped Tour this summer. The band also features members from the Eclectic Collective (who are playing their last show ever tomorrow, 10/4/2008, at Harpers Ferry in Allston, MA). This band hasn't been playing shows yet but their is already a huge buzz around this band.

Similar Artists: NERD, Gym Class Heroes

Bad Rabbits on MySpace

PM Today

2008-10-03T12:55:00.003-04:00

PM Today is one of the most promising bands I've discovered to date. They're still very young, and 3 of the 4 current members are brothers. I except big things from these guys.

Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas
Label: Unsigned

For Fans of: Fall of Troy, Boys Night Out, The Receiving End of Sirens, Circa Survive
Recommended Songs: "And Then Came The Hurricane" and "Doctor"
Myspace: www.myspace.com/pmtodaymusic

Live Video:

Deerhunter

2008-10-03T01:40:00.007-04:00

Not to be confused with The Dear Hunter, this is ambient rock with a beat. Sounds vaguely like My Bloody Valentine in their more cohesive and humble moments, though much less energetic. Steer clear if you're not a fan of 90s drone (a la Slowdive).

Label: Kranky
Location: Atlanta, GA
For Fans Of: My Bloody Valentine, Silversun Pickups
Myspace: www.myspace.com/deerhunter
Recommended Song: Never Stops

Complaints:
Not going to change the world, but the world is fine how it is anyway.

How They Look:
In this style of music it doesn't matter how they look- they're not getting any. At least not in this decade. They don't seem to have their look together, unless their look is a bunch of virgins that still haven't recovered from high school.

Sol Seppy

2008-10-01T22:55:00.006-04:00

"I wish I could fly through the sky and the moon above me."

Label: Gronland Records
Location: London, England
For Fans Of: Sneaker Pimps, Radiohead, commercials for energy-efficient cars
Myspace: www.myspace.com/solseppy
Recommended Song: Slo Fuzz, Enter One

If I could recommend one album to anyone, it would be this. I listen to the whole thing through without skipping a track.

Let me throw some adjectives at you: emotional, thoughtful, humble, curious, vulnerable, refreshing, hopeful.

So she's Australian (living in the UK), classically trained and toured with Radiohead in the band Sparklehorse. And bizarre too. Her Myspace blogs are fragmented and abstract. (This seems to be a theme among my picks so far.) She recorded all of this in her home studio.

Complaints:
Her name. Not very accessible; people don't know how to spell it when they hear it. People always seemed puzzled when I tell them her name. Also her songs aren't very energetic, so if you're not into thoughtful music skip this one.

How She Looks:
My first reaction to seeing her photos was shock and suspicion. "What are the odds?" What are the odds that someone writing music this good looks like this? Basically what I'm saying is she's a cyborg (bent on domination of my heart). Based on those Myspace blogs I wouldn't be surprised.

Ebu Gogo

2008-10-01T17:52:00.004-04:00

Ebu Gogo is an instrumental power trio based out of Providence, RI. Comprised of 1/2 of my favorite band (the now indefinitely on hiatus Gruvis Malt), armed with only a bass, a rhodes and a synthesizer, and a drum set, Ebu gogo manages to create a huge sound that would not lead anyone to believe they are just three guys. Skipping over "normal" musical influences on their MySpace, the band cites such classics as Gremlins, the Never Ending Story (1 not 2), and many other 80s favorites as major sources of inspiration for the band. Whether or not you are a fan of instrumental music, all listeners can find something to enjoy in "action/adventure rock" band Ebu Gogo. The band has released two records independently, both can be found on I tunes and on their own web store Integers Only where they also sell t shirts and posters designed by the drummer along with an enormous catalogue of music from friends bands and other projects.

Recommended songs: Neo Uranium Mattress, HUGS, Late to Due Sweatpants Boner

For Fans Of: The Mars Volta, Death From Above 1979, Talking Heads

Ebu Gogo on Myspace

Anamanaguchi

2008-10-01T14:10:00.006-04:00

Old Nintendo + Gameboy + 4 young talented musicians= Anamanaguchi, a Nintendo-touting powerpop-punk extravaganza. Anamanaguchi is a band i'm dying to see live, their music is a lot of fun and I've yet to hear a negative response to their live show.

Live Video:

Anamanaguchi @ The Penny Arcade Expo 2008. Seattle, WA. 08/30/08 from 2 Player Productions on Vimeo

Anamanaguchi's debut release "Power Supply" is available for free from their record label 8 Bit Peoples, and can be purchased on iTunes.

download here:Download
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/anamanaguchi

Let us know what you think!

Whitey

2008-09-30T18:02:00.011-04:00

"I made myself invisible, so you will never know if I'm right behind you."

Label: 1234 (UK) / Dim Mak (US)
Location: UK
For Fans Of: Beck, creepy guys with cool hats
Myspace: www.myspace.com/hellowhitey
Recommended Song: I Made Myself Invisible, Leave Them All Behind

Dark, dance-y, deliciously pop. Stir in a few frantic Myspace blogs to taste and you've got Whitey. Another highly-recommend song is "Sweet Words For The Sour" (not on Myspace). I'm really excited about this guy. Wish I had written these songs. (P.S. for the record: his name is Nathan Whitey.)

Complaints:
None really. Not going to change the world though. Doesn't inspire any emotion in particular.

How He Looks:
He looks pretty bad ass. Socially obscure British hipster-goth girls are swooning in a humid basement somewhere. It's a good thing too, because it makes the lyric from the top of this post even more unusual. It's not like the guy just can't get any.

Feels Like July

2008-09-30T12:08:00.006-04:00

Next up is a band I've personally been following for the past couple years, and consider to be one of the most promising bands in Massachusetts, Feels Like July. They seem to mature like a good wine with each release, and with an average age of 19 years old it's safe to say that this won't be the last we've heard from them.

Recommended Song: "I Love It On The Railroad" and "We Found A Home"

For Fans Of: As Tall As Lions, Circa Survive, At The Drive In, The Receiving End of Sirens

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/feelslikejuly

Let us know what you think!

Stateless

2008-09-30T01:07:00.006-04:00

Stateless isn't necessarily a new band, but hailing from Leeds, England they have yet to venture to the United States. This five piece blends melodic rock with soulful electronica. They even have a DJ (but not the same kind of DJ which was a staple of all those rap metal bands in the late 90s) This band is growing fast overseas and hopefully they will enter the US Market soon to let everyone know what we are missing over in Europe.

Recommended songs: Great White Whale, Prism 1

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/statelessonline

Roy G and the Biv

2008-09-29T18:43:00.007-04:00

What do you get when you take the Neptunes, send them in a time machine back to the 1970s, and send them to music school? Not totally sure, but I would imagine it would sound something like Roy G and the Biv. The group is two guys based out of Boston, MA and Denton, TX as listed on their Myspace. I'm generally not a fan of dance music or disco, but somehow I find this group both acceptable and enjoyable. Check these guys out before they make it big and end up in an Urban Outfitters catalogue.

For Fans Of: The Neptunes, Tiger City, Daft Punk, Justice
Myspace:Roy G And The Biv

Bonus points if you realize their name is the colors of the rainbow in the order you were taught in second grade.

All The Saints

2008-09-29T12:20:00.041-04:00

It's dark, it's brooding, it's the reason why you lock your bedroom door at night... it's my 14 year old sister? Oh wait no it's All The Saints and they're signed to maverick indie label Touch and Go (label mates include TV on the Radio, !!!, Pinback, John McCain...)

Label: Touch and Go / Killer Pimp
Location: Atlanta, GA
For Fans Of: Queens of the Stone Age, Led Zeppelin (I know, I know), Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (pre-Howl), things that sound like they were recorded a while ago
Myspace: www.myspace.com/allthesaints
Recommended Song: "Hornett"

All The Saints is one of my favorite Atlanta bands. If mainstream rock is a knife fight at the local tavern, All The Saints plans your murder months in advance. They've got diagrams. They've got spear traps in the ground covered with leaves and all that tribal shit. I also highly recommend the song "Recycled Highways." It's an emotional rock ballad- sounds more like Mogwai than QOTSA.

Complaints:
The singer isn't distinct enough and I don't make an emotional connection with him. No clear hooks either.

How They Look:
The middle guy kinda looks like Ashton Kutcher, am I right??? And the guy on the right looks like the frontman from now-defunct punk pop group The Sloppy Meateaters. Just sayin. They must be closet uglies though because this is the only picture of their faces. NOT mysterious. I mean uh... I don't judge guys? What was the question again?

Control: New Jersey Indie Rock

2008-09-29T04:24:00.011-04:00

Lets kick things off. My first band will be New Jersey's Control. A fairly new band with a massive amount of potential. If this band plays their cards right, they've got a great career ahead of them.

Members: Kevin, Mike, Michelle, Paul
Label: Unsigned
Location: Oak Ridge, New Jersey/Scranton, Pennsylvania
For fans of: At The Drive In, Sunny Day Real Estate, Open Hand
Myspace: www.myspace.com/controlisaband

Take a listen and let me know what you think.

Welcome

2008-09-29T02:03:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Allston Rock City, we(Trevor, Gray, Keith) plan to bring you the best new bands everyday.