Episode #41
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1. Radio Control
Radio Control are a two-piece punk rock and pop band based in Somerville, Massachusetts. This guitar and drum duo formed in 2009 and since then have released an EP, Breaker, Breaker 1234! and one album. Last year they released their debut album titled, Hot Audio (Polk Records), which features 15 songs of raw punk and pop. It covers almost an hours worth of music with fuzzy guitars, crisp drums and dual vocals by members, Matty and Kristina. The album was recorded in a three story apartment with the band set up in the basement surrounded by mics which ran up the chimney past their roommates on the second floor. These mics were then connected to the computers set up in the attic. The album sounds great (check out more tunes from this album on their Bandcamp). Radio Control's song on this episode is titled, Robot Machine, off of, Hot Audio.
2. The Slats
The Slats were a three-piece pop-rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They played an unusual sounding, almost plucky kind of rock. It's an odd mixture of punk, rock, and pop. A majority of their tunes sounded like this, but I like to think they just experimented a lot, and they did so with some really sweet, catchy writing. During their time as a band, they released a number of albums which includes The Great Plains of San Francisco, Car, and Boom Patrol (my personal favorite). Check out a song from Boom Patrol on Episode 15. A few of their albums can be streamed and purchased on their Bandcamp. The Slat's song on this episode is titled, Automobile, off of, Pick It Up (Latest Flame).
3. The Please and Thank Yous
The Please and Thank Yous are a rock-pop punk band from Chicago, Illinois. This band formed in 2006, and have produced an EP titled, Mulligan (2008) and one album, Mind Yr P's & Q's (2010) since then. Cassette tapes of their full-length album are available through Ice Age Records (check out a song from Mind Yr P's & Q's on Episode 15). The band recently finished recording and tracking music for an upcoming second record and a couple unmixed tunes can be heard on their website. The Please and Thank Yous' song on this episode is titled, Model Behavior, off of, Mulligan.
4. Challenger!
Challenger! are a punk band from Madrid, Spain. They play really energetic punk and pop that's saturated with big vocals and catchy melodies. The band has a few releases out right now which includes their most recent, Ümelsion (2010), through the BCore record label along with Dilitid (2008), which also has a cover of The Equals', Police On My Back, and Challenger (2006). Select tracks from all three are available for free download on their Bandcamp (check out some of those tunes on Episode 27 and Episode 35). They also have some new music on the way in the new EP, Pastor Alemán, to be released sometime this year. Challenger's song on this episode is titled, Awfully Hypnotized, off of, Dilitid.
5. The Sidekicks
The Sidekicks are a four-piece rock band from Ohio. Last month the song, Grace, was released, which will be a part of the upcoming full-length, Awkward Breeds, set to be released February 21. The 7” single (pick up through Red Scare) however includes the exclusive B-Side, The Wallflowers, while the digital version includes two additional tracks, an alternate version of The 9th Piece and the acoustic track, Stay. Both Grace and The Wallflowers are nice rock-pop songs with big melodies and well placed phrases of continuous harmonies. Grace is the more upbeat of the two while The Wallflowers holds a more steady, indie vibe. Along with this is, The 9th Piece, an unplugged rendition of the more rocking version that will appear on the new album (listen to it on the Sidekicks' absolutepunk profile). It's just as enjoyable as the alternate version which is followed by another pretty acoustic song, Stay. This track is saturated with nice falsettos and a wonderful set of vocal harmonies. The Sidekicks' song on this episode is titled, Grace, off of their single and their upcoming album, Awkward Breeds.