Category: Garage

Alt Rock, Garage, indiepop, Pop, Post PunkLeave a comment

Something For The Weekend? Three From Howlin’ Banana Records

Tom

This weeks pack of three features three releases from French label Howlin’ Banana Records. Cloud Factory – Cloud Factory #1 Cloud Factory are a Pop/Post punk band hailing from Toulouse. They consist of Alice (keyboard/vocals, Ben (bass), Bruno (drums), Robin (guitar) and Romain (guitar). This self titled EP is their debut release.  The music is mainly inspired by garage rock but there other influences such as indie pop and a punk attitude also running through. The sound has a fuzziness about it and the female vocals stand out too. A pretty good debut methinks. Cloud Factory #1 is available on … Continue reading Something For The Weekend? Three From Howlin’ Banana Records

Garage, indiepopLeave a comment

Eterna Joventut – Tu Amor

Tom

Tu Amor, the second track from Barcelona based Eterna Joventut, is their reinterpretation of the song Heat and Shame originally performed by Mujeres in 2012. No I haven’t heard it either so a bit of digging on Bandcamp led me to the original. It’s a garage punk track and, despite Mujeres coming from the same aforementioned city, their male vocalist sang in English. However the female fronted cover sees some changes. They mix the garage of the original with some jangling indiepop vibes whilst singing in Spanish. It’s a good track being both a testament to the cover and the … Continue reading Eterna Joventut – Tu Amor

Alt Rock, Garage, Noise PopLeave a comment

The Belafontes – Desk Job

Tom

Melbourne’s The Belafontes have a new EP out collating their past couple of single releases (Big Man and Steppin’ Out) and a few new tracks. It’s two of the new tracks (or new to me) here that get me jumping around. 8 Bit Town is catchy, thrashy punk with the protagonist seeking departure from “this backwards town” whilst Tired deals with the monotony of everyday working life. They could well be the best tracks the band have laid down so far. Seafood is another punk-pop song where the villains are not partial to someone different whilst final track Portland sounds … Continue reading The Belafontes – Desk Job

Garage, Noise Pop, PunkLeave a comment

Cosmit – Cosmit

Tom

Bristol’s Cosmit write that their brand of “High octane, scrappy brand of garage punk” is “inspired by Northern Soul, Motown and 1960’s pop groups”. With that description one really has to dive in and I cannot say I am disappointed. More punk-pop than garage, the band blast their way through the three songs on this, their debut EP in around six minutes. The songs are of love, unrequited or otherwise, as shouty vocals and loud, fuzzy guitars are the order of the day. I mean what’s not too like? Cosmit is available on 7″ vinyl and digital formats from Specialist … Continue reading Cosmit – Cosmit

Garage, PowerpopLeave a comment

Romero – Honey

Tom

Romero hail from Melbourne and this single is their debut release. And what a way to start. Honey is a blast. It’s like one of those old 7″ singles I have in my record boxes being an injection of power pop similar to the type that followed punk. It’s loud and raw with strong garage style female vocals. It’s backed with Neapolitan a track that comes over as one of those melodic three cord anthems coupled with a side order of blues inspired garage rock. The energy which comes off these two tracks should leave you jumpin’ and smokin’. Honey … Continue reading Romero – Honey

Alt Rock, C86, Garage, indiepop, Jangle PopLeave a comment

Midweek Catch Up #1 – Indiepop &c

Tom

A catch up of stuff caught on the Records I Like Radar. The Radio Dept. have released a new single. Titled The Absence of Birds it’s backed with a remix of the same song. The former is a wispy indiepop song with folk-ish overtones whilst the latter mixes ambient with drone. You can get it from here. Diet Cig released a new track at the end of last month. Titled Night Terrors it’s a fine example of alternative pop with scary lyrics to match – boo! You can get it from here. Medway Scene veterans The Claim have a new … Continue reading Midweek Catch Up #1 – Indiepop &c

Garage, indiepop, Psychedelia1 Comment

Pop Crimes – Debuts

Tom

Originally released last October Debuts gets a re-release on cassette (and digital of course) on Howlin’ Banana Records. The band, who are a supergroup of sorts as they comprise members of En Attendant Ana, Blondi’s Salvation and Young Like Old Men take inspiration from the likes of The Pastels, Sarah Records and Pavement. Don’t let that guide you mind as this release mixes up 1960s garage, a bit of grunge and most certainly some noise. Musically each of these songs, which are sometimes harsh or raw, always veer on the side of melody and contain more than enough catchy guitar … Continue reading Pop Crimes – Debuts

Garage, Punk, RockLeave a comment

The Gory Alices – Swimsuit Aliens

Tom

The Gory Alices describes themselves as “a horror punk and surf rock band”. Despite only forming earlier this year Swimsuit Aliens is their second EP and leads on from their debut, the 21st Century Cosmic Freak Show EP. Their music is, and you will not be surprised given their description, is a mix of rock ‘n’ roll, garage, punk inspired riffs and comic humour. The strongest instrument though is the voice of Gory Alice herself whose strong vocals bring the stories being told in the songs to life and you can let your imagination run riot as she belts the … Continue reading The Gory Alices – Swimsuit Aliens