Hot Damn Jamz 35: Punch a Hole in It
November 20th, 2009 | 8:30 am est |
This week we’ve got the usual stunning array of new bands to thrill, chill and amaze you. From New Jersey noise poppers to SF psych poppers to Welsh collectives, these are all names to learn because they are going to be big timing it in 2010. Next week we’ll bring you another overflowing bounty of brilliance, but after that we have some choices. We’ll probably have a year-end best-of HDJz round-up, but it might be cool to have a Reader’s Choice Hot Damn Jamz. If you want to take part please send in a comment with the words “I’m in, Bunky” and we’ll get in touch with you. First 10 people will get the once in a lifetime chance to be part of the HDJz team. Good luck!
Million Young
There are a bunch of bands doing a kind of dreamy, decayed-sounding bedroom electropop these days. Think Neon Indian or Washed Out to name two of the best. These guys are doing something very similar but with actual hooks, and vocals you can almost understand. Very nice!
Comanechi
Akiko and Simon’s riot-grrrl tinged noise-rock will make you want to punch a hole in it!
Cloud Nothings
This may be the first good band to ever come out of Cleveland, Ohio.
His Clancyness
Imagine if Beck never progressed past his first album or two. Also imagine if he didn’t kind of suck. You’re getting close to the idiosyncratic lo-fi sound of the impeccably-named His Clancyness.
Virtual Boy
This Los Angeles duo give their music an extra life by mashing together electro, 8-bit, pop and classical influences.
Gentle Friendly
Dense yet atmospheric and above all catchy, Gentle Friendly put a refreshingly different twist on noise-pop.
Big Troubles
These noisy, gazey guys from New Jersey sound like they should be from Sweden or even the UK back in 1991 or so.
’60s-sounding experimental electronics and folk-leaning instrumentation, a la Broadcast and Bibio, come together in The Focus Group.
Sparse indie rock from South China
Black Hand Laser Band
You just can’t beat a band with a name that rhymes, especially when they are a super cool Welsh neo-psych collective with NO MYSPACE PAGE!
Birds & Batteries
Moody, country rock-inflected synth-pop from San Francisco.
I’m in, Bunky
Having grown up in Michigan, I’m no fan of Ohio in general, but Pere Ubu’s from Cleveland…they don’t count as a good band?
And in an effort to be something other than snide, I’ll 1) reiterate my love for HDJ and 2) point out that interested parties can download MillionYoung’s Sunndreamm EP for free if they follow the link above.
that cleveland thing is nuts. you write for a pretty well respected site and assumedly get paid to post this stuff…that kinda ignorance is why folks think the internet is full of bullsht info…great job.
I’m in, Bunky.
I’m in Bucky.
Okay - The Cleveland thing was a joke. Perhaps ill-considered, possibly funny only to ourselves (well, one of us anyway). Also, if you followed the Jamz, you’d know of our love for Cleveland pop band Afternoon Naps. We shouldn’t have assumed that everyone would get that. Our apologies to the Michael Stanley Band, LeVert, the Dazz Band, Death of Samantha and Bone Thugs N Harmony.
I’m In bunky…
I’m in Bucky.
“I’m in, Bunky!”
“I’m in, Bunky”
3 more lucky people! Act now!!
I’m in, Bunky.
I’m in, Bunky! :)