Episode #39
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1. Las Robertas
Las Robertas are a three-piece garage/punk band from San Jose, Costa Rica. This past year, the trio recorded two tracks for the Si San Jose compilation (check it out here on Bandcamp). These two songs are Inside and Out and Tele. Another version of the latter is also on the band's album, Cry Out Loud (2010), released through Art Fag Recordings. The compilation features nine bands local to San Jose. Each band recorded two songs in one take using a four-track cassette recorder and little editing aside from some layered vocals. This compilation can be thought of as a time capsule of popular music in the 21st century and will also be presented in documentary form (check out more info about this compilation on it's website). The producers of Si San Jose are Vito Petruzelli, Daniel Ortuno and Adrian Poveda. Check out Las Robertas March 2011 set at Shea Stadium here and another tune of theirs on Episode 32. Las Robertas' song on this episode is titled, Inside and Out, off of the Si San Jose compilation.
2. Elba
Elba are a five-piece pop-rock band from Seattle, Washington. The band released their third album (self-titled) last September along with a music video for the song, From a Sinking Ship (check out the video on their website). The album has 10 songs of some sweet pop-rock, varied from upbeat tunes to more stripped-down jams. The keys are a really nice addition to the band's sound, best heard during Torero and Polar Bear. These two tracks are some of the slower tunes on this record, but sound so excellent. Check out another tune from their Diplodocus EP on Episode 21 and Episode 25. Elba's song on this episode is titled, August, off of their self-titled album.
3. Sound the Sky
Sound the Sky are currently a three-piece rock band based in Camarillo, California. Their music is a nice original blend of hard-rock and alternative. Their EP, Vows and Vouchers, is a nice little release showcasing their musically maturing sound. It has a good mix of hard-rock tunes and solo guitar tracks, with a sweet acoustic song closing the EP. This is the band's first EP, a follow-up to their three song demo, Fight or Flight. Listen to songs from that demo on Episode 7 and Episode 12. Their newest song is an excellent acoustic track titled, Warped Speed (listen to the song on their soundcloud). Sound the Sky's song on this episode is titled, Lights Lit Low, off of, Vows and Vouchers. Pick up the EP for free on their Facebook.
4. The Revision Plan
The Revision Plan are a three-piece punk band based in Chicago, Illinois. They released last June their newest EP, Scream Suburbia, the follow-up to their Navigations EP released in 2009. On Scream Suburbia, it features five new songs of catchy punk and rock-pop. Just last month, the band finished recording their music video for the new song, What am I Going To Do (With a Gun Rack). The new EP is up for nameyourprice on Bandcamp as well as the song Heart of a Lion and their cover of the Police song, Every Breath You Take. Those two songs were originally intended for a split 7”. Listen to some of their other songs on Episode 10 and Episode 20. The Revision Plan's song on this episode is titled, Lowlife Highlights, off of, Scream Suburbia.
5. Say Revenge!
Say Revenge are a four-piece punk band from San Antonio, Texas. They are currently on tour playing shows in Texas and in California. The band released their debut album, Rough Night, Sugar?, in the Fall of last year. The new album features eleven songs of some raw rock and roll punk and a twelve track, a sweet cover of the song, Anything, Anything, originally by Dramarama. A music video was also produced for the song, Everybody Likes Zombies (check out that music video here). Check out another song of theirs on Episode 27. Say Revenge's song on this episode is titled, Skylights, off of, Rough Night, Sugar?
6. Citycop
Citycop are a four-piece rock band from Ashtabula, Ohio. They play an original mash of acoustic music form with aggressive hardcore styles. The vocals are passionate and loud as are the instrumentals. Their new EP is a bit of a concept release titled, Seasons. It features five songs, one in reference to each season and a fifth track, a musical interpretation of the poem, Bluebird, by Charles Bukowski. Seasons features some sweet guitar riffs, wonderful melodies and a lot more revved up tempos and dynamics that made their album, The Hope in Forgiving and Giving Up Hope, such a wicked listen. Be sure to check out a tune from that album on Episode 15. Citycop's song on this episode is titled, Fall, off of, Seasons. Citycop will also be doing a short tour in March. Check out dates and details on their Facebook.
7. Ninjas with Syringes
Ninjas with Syringes are a three-piece punk-pop band from Portland, Oregon. In mid-December, the band released some new material in the EP, Railroader. The new EP features six songs of some fast catchy punk-pop. As usual, these new songs hold some big choruses, colorful vocals and a whole lot of melody. From start to finish, the new songs are consistently upbeat and poppy. Check out rest of the songs on Bandcamp. Railroader follows the band's third album, Oceanographer, which was featured on the Top 25 of 2011 Show. Check out another tune from Oceanographer of Episode 20. The song on this episode is titled, Roadrunner, off of, Railroader.