hop along, “how simple”

hop along, “how simple”

Showing off their stunning ability to transport their listeners to a whole new world filled with gloriously lush and full soundscapes is Hop Along with their latest new single, “How Simple.” Along with their fantastic new track, they have also been working hard to produce a visual spectacle that is equally enchanting and is sure to bring them closer to a dream that, at one point, seemed eons away. At first glance, this group is lively and energetic–from the first scene to the epic closing. Not only is their music unique and interesting, but there is a special artistic flare in the style of their video that perfectly compliments their music. Like the single that it accompanies, the video keeps the listener guessing at every turn with most of the peripheral scenery cut out and constant movement.

Hop Along’s diligent work has finally started to pay off as this new single has caused them to gather an even more extensive fan basis within just the past few weeks. No doubt, in the future, this will continue to grow as they produce and release music that matches the level of quality and perfection that they have achieved with “How Simple.”

Keep up with Hop Along here.

the split seconds, “the dirty depth of classic punk”

the split seconds, “the dirty depth of classic punk”

Punk is a genre that has always been known for its simplicity and raw, primitive sound. Many music fans write off the genre entirely because they believe that music must be complex and polished to be great. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. In the 70’s a bunch of kids who grew up on a steady diet of classic rockabilly, pop, soul, British invasion, Motown, and ska took a look at the vapid and self-important hippies burning out on the radio and said fuck this. They cut their hair, put on the jeans and leather jackets of their early-rock-and-roll heroes, went into their garages, turned up the tempos, pushed their amps into overdrive, and invented the potent form of fundamentalist rock and roll we now know as punk rock. The following songs showcase just how much depth can be captured in a few minutes with a few chords and with some cheap equipment.

The Buzzcocks: I Don’t Mind
The unusual chord progression and surreal message makes this song the “Strawberry Fields Forever” of punk rock. Beginning with the beautiful phrase, “Reality’s a Dream” the verse starts out square but quickly gets mired in a swirling series of out-of-key chords and a disjointed melody that and builds and blossoms into short, simple, and joyful chorus about not caring. It perfectly captures the message of escaping the emotional torment of uncertainty and chaos by just not giving a fuck. During the bridge the song shifts to a minor tonality as Pete Shelley reflects on past insecurity and rejection, emerging at the end in a higher key to once-and-for-all assert his triumphant nihilism.

Stiff Little Fingers: Alternative Ulster
This song about kids caught up in ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland begins with a plaintive guitar melody drenched in reverb raw and almost in-tune. The lonely major-key drone expresses a combination of sadness and optimism that Stiff Little Fingers does so well. The song explodes into short punchy phrases in the verse over a restless 4 chord vamp in which Jake Burns lays out the frustration of scraping by under a repressive regime with throaty angst. Then it stretches out into the prechorus in which he explains that nothing’s going to change because nobody in power has any reason to change it. An usual extra measure builds anticipation before the assertive chorus chords in which he gives the solution to the problem: Do it yourself. Create an alternative of your own. “Ignore the bores, their laws…grab it change it’s yours.” After a powerful bridge rapidly dispensing with the naysayers, the original guitar melody returns over a shuffle drum beat. The meandering line returning with purpose and power before delivering the listener to a satisfying final chorus.

The Clash: Death or Glory
One of the many gems on London Calling, “Death or Glory” explores how high-minded ideals and righteous conquests are corrupted by time and routine. The song starts with a round and melodic bass line and syncopated high hat accents building into a grade-A punk rock groove underneath Mick Jones channeling Mick Ronson’s brand of channeling Chuck Berry via the English Channel. Paul Simon’s baseline walks under guitar stabs as Strummer howls his verse with great lines such as “love and hate tattooed across the knuckles of his hands, hands that slap his kids around ‘cuz they don’t understand” finally breaking into one of the catchiest choruses ever penned. During the bridge Topper Headon lays down a restless funky beat that is complemented by Jones’ rhythmic octaves and Simonon’s sequenced bass line. Creating the perfect musical backdrop for Strummer to quietly but insistently express the the will to fight and raise hell. After a final chorus the band ends the song on a slightly out-of-time, and out-of-tune final hit. Just in case you thought they were getting too refined.

Dead Boys: Sonic Reducer
Whereas the Buzzcocks found release in not caring, Stiff Little Fingers found salvation in not caring, and The Clash believed we were sadly destined to not care, The Dead Boys just didn’t care. Two bold chords at the outset fade into a swirl of flanged cymbals and feedback overtop a foreboding minor-key guitar line which finally explodes into power chords and Cheetah Chrome’s brash guitar solo. The verse pummels forward as Stiv Bators lists all the things he doesn’t need including family, beauty, and the human race. It builds towards a chorus that tells you why he doesn’t need any of that stuff. Because he’s a god damn rock and roller and one day he’ll be a ten foot tall Pharaoh and you won’t be shit. The song barrels forward all the way to the end with Ohio’s trademark street-walking-cheetah-with-a-heart-full-of-napalm raw power and swagger.

The Jam: The Eton Rifles
This fantastic tune begins with an intro of crashing minor chords, splashy drums, and a catchy repeated bass figure. Then breaks in to a double verse based on a two chord vamp of clanging guitar stabs and punctuated by a two chord turnaround contained in an unusual extra measure as bassist Bruce Foxton proves that drums, guitar, and a Rickenbacker bass is all you need to fill up the sonic palette. Buried in the mix, Paul Weller cleverly tells the story of a street fight between working class protest marchers and students from the prestigious UK prep school Eton in his unpretentiously accented baritone. During the chorus his vocal line climbs and the chord changes accelerate climaxing with a repeated “Eton Rifles” hook based on a melodic figure made memorable by its widely spaced intervals. The tonality darkens to minor for the unbalanced-feeling 9 measure bridge, perfectly framing the lyrics in which Weller describes his feelings of shame and disappointment with his comrades who were more interested in posturing than repelling the attacks of the future ruling elite. An instrumental section sandwiched between repetitions of the bridge that includes organ and reggae-influenced guitar delay showcases the band’s versatility. A vitriolic final verse and extended final chorus decays into cacophony before it is tied together by several restatements of the main theme mirrored by palm muted guitar before a definitive final hit. As strong a song as was ever written.

Generation X: Kiss Me Deadly
Pre-White-Wedding Billy Idol and company turned out this masterpiece of a song which is built on a verse, prechorus, and chorus that flow into each other so naturally and evolve so organically through the song that they create a nearly inseparable musical unit. This brilliant structure provides the backdrop over which Idol paints a picture of rebellious youth in the UK in the late 70’s characterized by love, sex, fights, flights, drugs, and old-school rock and roll. It begins with delicate guitar arpeggios venturing through a chord progression that is more reminiscent of The Zombies than The Ramones. Bold drums enter during the second verse foreshadowing the huge guitar onslaught that picks up and carries the song through to its end. After a melodic guitar solo, the chorus is extended during the final musical unit repeating the memorable title, “Kiss Me Deadly.” Exploited may have gotten right to the point with “Sex and Violence” but Generation X was able to translate the eros/thanatos theme into a brilliant work of punk rock art.

Keep up with The Split Seconds here.

post animal, “tire eyes”

post animal, “tire eyes”

“Tire Eyes” is the fun and phenomenal latest from Post Animal.  Post Animal throws listeners for a loop while including sounds from all different genres.  They include a little bit of country, but only before transitioning into a classic rock vibe shouting “TIRE EYES!” in unison at the giving the track its peppy 80’s feel.  “Tire Eyes” remains groovy and is also a track you can get down to but scream with in your car at the same time.  The band puts a new twist on a classic sound, which makes “Tire Eyes” so  unique.

Keep up with Post Animal here.

speedy ortiz, “villain”

speedy ortiz, “villain”

Speedy Ortiz just released the latest track “Villain,” which opens with a heavy bass line and grunge rock feel. The lyrics remain quirky with lines like, “He talks like he knows me so I’m being polite,” and “I want to know if no means all right.” The track takes a stab at the topic of unwanted advances and the struggle of having to act “polite” in awkward situations.

Take a look at the vintage, candy-colored inspired video and you’ll agree that “Villain” is more than just a song, it’s an anthem for many.

Keep up with Speedy Ortiz here.

lo moon @ the riot room

lo moon @ the riot room

I had the pleasure of seeing Lo Moon for a second time on Sunday, January 8th at the Riot Room. Lo Moon was in Kansas City last year at Buzz Under the Stars 2017, as well as opening for Andrew McMahon in The Wilderness in Music Alley for a smaller show during the warm summer months. A second time around, Lo Moon shined in the intimate setting at The Riot Room. The trio’s energy was in full effect, bringing a soulful and wondrous vibe to the room that isn’t often found in this space.

The band has gained quite a following after their iconic first single “Loveless” was released in September 2016. This was a proven fact as The Riot Room was packed with loyal fans. Lead singer Matt Lowell also professed “We love Kansas City” to the audience, which had every measure of sincerity.

And honestly, how could you not love a city that breaks new music? Take a peek here.

Keep up with Lo Moon here.

jean dawson, “glacier gallery”

jean dawson, “glacier gallery”

Los Angeles’ Jean Dawson has just dropped his debut single, “Glacier Gallery”, in collaboration with producer/songwriter Lecx Stacy. Out via Kitsune, a French electronic label, Jean Dawson brings a moody, electronic edge to a hip-hop soundscape in “Glacial Gallery”. Crafting a mulit-genre sound, Dawson will drop his debut album this summer after several years of honing his sound with Lecx Stacy. The twenty-two year old artist has been making music since he was fourteen, and now, Dawson is ready to share his songs with the world. “Glacier Gallery” is just a first taste of what is to come – and it’s already very promising. As an experimental hip-hop artist, Dawson draws just the right amount from other genres to create the canvas on which “Glacier Gallery” is painted.

Says Dawson of his debut track, “I suppose in making ‘Glacier Gallery’ I was seeking a form of catharsis. When myself and Lecx sat down drafting up ideas for the most fitting amalgamation of deep house tones and sharp synths, I figured that I wanted the context of this record to fit my somewhat discontent disposition at the time. I always find myself talking about warmth in my records but for whatever reason I felt that warmth wasn’t good enough. I needed something strong and fragile like glaciers under the sun.”

If you’re looking for something entirely new in all the right ways, check out “Glacier Gallery” today.

Keep up with Jean Dawson:
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arthhur, come meet the opposite committee

arthhur, come meet the opposite committee

Deepening their roots in the Chicago, Illinois music scene, two piece rock outfit Arthhur has brought their a-game with their newest single release, “Come Meet the Opposite Committee,” off their album of the same name. Along with having every component that composes a successful song, the underlying meaning behind the lyrics brings an all new wave of depth and social importance. Combined with their stellar beats and rhythms, Arthhur speaks up for those who deal with obsessive compulsive disorder as well as anxiety through his many musical movements and detailed lyrical presence. Throughout the track, the music is often punctuated with sudden loud releases of talent and excitement.

In what they consider, “a labor of love,” Arthhur built the new ten track album from the ground up and have come out with a masterpiece that is bound to get some traction throughout the music community. Songs like “Sheffield & Armitage” and “Katalog” are comforting in their existence, while tracks like “Character Death” and “Oral Anxiety Exam” are intriguing simply because of their titles, and continue to captivate the listener throughout. Each track is beautifully written, with lyricism tactics to combat the rest. In the future, fans can expect more art from this group that is equally as powerful and meaningful as Come Meet the Opposite Committee.

Come Meet the Opposite Committee is available now.

**co-written by Meredith Schneider

the dtease, “anarchy on the playlist”

the dtease, “anarchy on the playlist”

We wanted to pick a theme that relates to the type of music we played, the music that influenced our sound, and the music that speaks to each of us personally.  A couple suggestions came out that had the words glitter, psychonautic and rock, but we eventually settled on Sonic Glitter Bomb. Once we each started picking songs, we realized that not all of the songs were very glittery… Someone said, okay this is like anarchy on the playlist and thats what we ended up with! It makes perfect sense for this playlist. What you get is anarchy on any given theme. We all come from different musical backgrounds and have different influences, whether its’s metal, punk, grunge, garage or americana…but all of us unite under the umbrella of rock and roll!

Keep up with The DTease here.

pale green things, “the islands”

pale green things, “the islands”

Discovering that he has a unique way of allowing his audience to escape through his music, up and coming musician Pale Green Things – the moniker for Jack Traynor – has released a new single entitled, “The islands” that was crafted to do just that. As fans and spectators around the globe have commented, Pale Green Things allows them to leave behind the stress and anxiety of this world and experience the dreamy lushness of beautiful sound. “The Islands” was inspired by São Miguel Island in the Azores region of Portugal. The soothing melody is layered with gorgeous soundscapes that speak of both relief and safety. However, like all inspired pieces, this track is full of movement and, as the song continues, fans can feel the reality creeping in on the corners of their existence as they are pulled back into their true circumstance through skilled, flickering guitar acoustics.

As this indie-folk artist tours around his home in the United Kingdom, he has his eyes set on the future and what he can accomplish with his unique skills and abilities. With more experience and stage time over the past year, he has gained an international fan base that is continuing to grow, as he progresses and brings his music to a more advanced level. Without a doubt, as more time passes, Pale Green Things will continue to surprise and impress–effectively etching his name in the music community.

Keep up with Pale Green Things here.