TGIF Hodge Podge – The Modern Electric + Suede Brothers + deadboy & the Elephantmen
Since all three of us are in Cleveland together this weekend, we decided to take a more local twist into things. James is a little jet lagged from the trip in from Chicago and a few beers has slowed the young man down. There are two bands that have been on our radar for a couple of months and it’s high time we began bringing out some of the talent and noteworthy music coming out of our city. Since we’ve seen the live shows and James is just hearing these guys for the first time, I’ve taken over his regular weekly hodgepodge post. We’re still wiping our eyes clean from a groggy and amazing night with Southeast Engine but we’re filling today’s post with some homage to these two local acts worthy of your time. We’ve got three MP3 premieres from their upcoming releases and also a kick ass vault track from 2005. Thank God it’s Friday…..
The Modern Electric – The Modern Electric
Last month we sponsored an in-store session with Cotton Jones before their show at Beachland Tavern, and we’re glad we got to the concert on time. The Modern Electric, a young and local band opened up for Cotton Jones and blew the crowd away. As we left, Brian and I made sure to drop off a business card and get in contact with these guys. When you listen to the premier MP3 below, you’ll understand precisely why we’re so high on this band, fronted by 19-year old Garrett Komyati, a piano an keyboard wizard who comes off as a savvy indie-rock veteran, dropping hooks and energy left and right. The band describes their sound as “cinematic pop” and while we can get behind this idea, there is also an undeniable non-pop and mature sound to their music. “Mistakes,” the track offered below will immediately stick in your head with one listen, and its instrumentation signifies a group of super young musicians ready to bust out on the scene.
The Modern Electric tracks we’ve heard all have a retro aura despite being largely modern with their huge hooks. Synthesizers, acoustic guitar, syrupy rhythm and emotional vocal delivery are all balled into one here. When we saw them live, the first thing we noticed is how much energy these guys put into their performance. They were the first of three bands that played that night, and the second band should have just packed up and went home. Delicate piano arpeggios are Komyati’s thing and vocally these dudes belt out songs like they’re never going to get to play again. The band is coming out with a 12 track (self-titled at the moment) LP within the next month or so. Their goal is to broaden and move the rusty downtrodden energy of Cleveland out of the dust and into the limelight. Lofty goals. Big dreams. This is what indie music is all about and we’re on top of this new album when they get it finished. Enjoy “Mistakes” below and stay tuned for more on these guys.
The Modern Electric – Mistakes
Suede Brothers – Ill New You
In early January, I was pummeled by a local band opening for Heartless Bastards at Beachland. Suede Brothers is a local trio that refers to their sound as “Rust-Belt Rock N’ Roll” and this description fits perfectly. This is a Cleveland band that we’re hoping people get behind. Their 2007 self-titled debut picked up quite a bit of steam locally and their 2009 album, Ill New You is almost complete, two brand new premier tracks available below. The first things you’ll notice are the huge riffs singer/guitarist Dylan Francis punches you with. Rust-belt rock, if indeed a genre, has never been so large. An immediate recent reference that pops to mind is Wolfmother, but the major difference is Suede Brothers’ sound involves no gimmicks and the overall vibe and feeling of throwback power blues is honest and sincere. Francis shreds on his Les Paul and his high-pitched vocals are pulsing with raw energy. Blues crunch, pounding percussion, and unforgettably staunch riffs leap from the speakers. We’re shocked the national scene hasn’t picked up on these guys as of yet. Their myspace page is ripe with attention and it’s only a matter of time before these guys take off.
Our initial impression of this band was rooted in their crushing live performance. The intensity and loudness of Suede Brothers live is a grand and rattling experience. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t overshadow the crisp and tightly organized arrangements. Blues rock is a well-worn path but it always works when done well. Francis, along with bassist Kevin Naughton and surehanded drummer Mike Varga know what they’re doing and are well worth your time. They want to kick your ass for awhile in concert, but also capture this element nicely in recorded material. These guys play at Annabell’s in Akron tonight, and we’ll certainly keep you posted on the release of the new album. Pressing is supposed to happen soon.
Suede Brothers – Sweet Nothing
The Vault – “Stop, I’m Already Dead”
For this week’s vault entry we leave with you “Stop, I’m Already Dead” by deadboy & the Elephantmen, the off-and-on 2000-2007 project of frontman Dax Riggs. We Are Night Sky was the first and last proper Fat Possum release in 2005 and that album is super nostalgic for me. Before I was a smarmy critic of indie music, I used to tool around emusic trying to find random bands. I stumbled upon this collection of tracks and it never left my iPod that summer. “Evil Friend” and “Dressed in Smoke” were the broodingly dark and dissonant jams I couldn’t get enough of that year. “Stop, I’m Already Dead” is the mainstay, however, as it’s anger-driven mixture of distorted guitars and smoky vocals make it, in my opinion, an indie classic. Unfortunately, the duo disbanded in 2007, but the tracks still sit in every songlist I create for my iPod. Enjoy the track and go back to 2005. This is how I remember that summer.
deadboy & the Elephantmen – Stop, I’m Already Dead
Leave a Reply