Jason Karaban - Shift. Out 4th September.

I often get to thinking how lucky I am having this blog and hearing all the bands releases prior to the general public, I know patience is a virtue and all that, but when something like Jason Karabans album turn up, it feels like I am being treated to something special and feel privileged to have a few extra weeks of it all to myself, well, me and a few others anyway.

This is a delightful album, well written and constructed and one that effortlessly holds your attention on every track from start to finish.

From a home studio in Los Angeles, CA, a songwriter crafts melodic, harmonious songs.   The music eventually makes its way to a handful of well-known musicians across the country.  Though the musicians do not know Jason Karaban, they will listen.  And, eventually, they find themselves in the studio working with the reclusive musician. 

 Karaban isn’t new to the game. He began his career fronting the Philadelphia based indie rock bands Dragstrip Courage in 1997 and Grand in 2000.   A deal with Maverick Records emerged and then evaporated before the music was released and an artist once on the rise went into a dark period.  However, he never stopped writing music.  Karaban emerged as a solo artist with the release of Doomed to Make Choices, in 2006, co-produced with Mike Napolitano (Joseph Arthur, The Twilight Singers) and then later with Sobriety Kills, co-produced by Barry Maguire (The Wallflowers, Natalie Merchant) in 2009. 

A look at Jason’s solo career illuminates his impressive list of collaborations that read like a who’s who of the music world.   Over the years he has worked with the likes of Sara Watkins, Ani DiFranco, Ivan Neville, Lucy Schwartz, Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Garrison Starr, Pete Thomas & Davey Faragher of Elvis Costello’s Imposters, Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum), David Immerglück & Charlie Gillingham of Counting Crows just to name a few.  The result has been two critically acclaimed records, an obscure b-sides record and a three song EP from which numerous songs have been licensed for programs on NBC, MTV, VH-1, commercials, and indie movies. 

 On September 4^th Jason returns with Shift, his most realized work to date, and is planning to tour for the first time in his solo career.  Tracks from Shift can currently be heard on WFMU, WXPN and KCRW.

Contact, befriend, like and love Jason Karaban here: Facebook

"Shift" is instores from September 4th, listen to other tracks by Jason here: Bandcamp

I believe the album will be available there too.  Don't forget to grab the free single download there too!

Jason Karaban website: Official

The Above - My Love 7" single OUT NOW!

 

It is always great to receive some vinyl in the post and it is even better when it is a great band producing that vinyl and The Above certainly fall into that category.

"My Love" reminds me of The Yardbirds early offerings but with the professionalism and talent of their later recordings, this is a fantastic sounding single and the B'side "Chuck's Blues" is a an exciting Hammond driven instrumental that is sure to get your feet moving, just tapping or full out dancing, but your feet will move!

  "My Love" Performed by The Above from David Alan Horowitz on Vimeo.

The Above are a rock and roll group from Brooklyn, New York.  Influenced by the sounds of British-era R&B, this four-piece create memorable and exciting music with a compositional sophistication that are sure to leave both bar-goers and 60s rock and roll enthusiasts tapping their feet.  They have opened for the likes of Roky Erickson, The Fleshtones, Los Straightjackets, Lyres, Paul Collins and other seminal artists.

  

The Above also have a self titled long player available via their web page (link at bottom of the page) that is also not to be overlooked, 12 tracks of rip roaring guitar, Hammond, harmonica, I think I can safely say that this 4 piece are one of the best, most exciting R&B bands out there at the moment!

Contact, befriend, like and love The Above here: Facebook 

The bands official website where you can buy the single and that fantastic self titled album can be found here: The Above Official 

Budokan - Spin A Little Gold

 

This fine album only hit the "Ice Cream Man" mail box this morning and what a fantastic way to start my Sunday, so good in fact, that I had to share it immediately!

This is pure Power Pop with a seventies edge to it, not surprising maybe,  given that their name is borrowed from a Cheap Trick Bootleg album which was recorded at "Budokan" in Japan.  This 13 track album is chock full of guitar licks, driving beats and much, much more, this is pure unadulterated kick arse rock 'n' roll!

Budokan hail from Vancouver in Canada and have not only released this fine album in CD format but on a super fine 180gm gold vinyl, they say they want to "write songs that people will love and remember."  Well, they have certainly done that with "Spin A Little Gold", not a filler track of duff track amongst the grooves here, I am also loving the album artwork but I will save my rave about that for my art blog, which I don't have yet, but may very well have to start soon.

Budokan are:

Kent Bendall-bass and vocals
Andrew Molloy - guitar and vocals
Craig Vishek - guitar and vocals
Graham Watson - drums and vocals

I now have the album on third rotation already this morning, blowing all those Saturday night cobwebs away, this album is one for the Power Pop puritans.......and everyone esle!

 

Contact, befriend, like and love Budokan here: Facebook 

Stream and buy "Spin A Little Gold" here: Bandcamp 

Physical copies of the album and more info on the band here: Northern Electric Records

La-Ti-Da Records. Long live the 7" single.

I received an e-mail from La-Ti-Da records this week introducing me to five 7" singles that they have released this summer in the hope that one or two of them may appeal to me and gain some blog space.
Well, I am very pleased to say that all five releases appealed to me and so did the majority of the labels back catologue, so I have decided to do a feature on the label and include the 5 artists that they sent me.
The label based in Vancouver, Canada seems to specialise in 7" vinyl, although you will find the odd album in their catologue. These guys are obviously very passionate about their music as on the website you can find mixtapes that they have made for download, that don't feature their own band signings and very good mix tapes they are too.

Anyway, here are the five bands that they sent to me to listen to, all are very highly recommended and if you, like me, love your vinyl, this is a very good place to stock up, run by music lovers for music lovers!

So there you go, 5 top singles released this summer by La-Ti-Da Records that I am sure you will enjoy as much as I do.  

All of these artists can be found on bandcamp and all the singles can be downloaded there too, unless you have to have the vinyl, which we all know sounds brilliant, in which case go to La-Ti-Da Records web site at the link below.

La-Ti-Da Records Official Web page: http://www.latidarecords.com/

(Don't forget to check out those excellent mixtapes for free download there too along with all the other great artists and events that they have going on!)

Contact, befriend, like and love La-Ti-Da Records here: Facebook

Contact, befriend, like and love The Tranzmitors here: Facebook

Contact, befriend, like and love Needles//Pins here: Facebook

Contact, befriend, like and love Fist City here: Facebook

Contact, befriend, like and love The Ballantynes here: Facebook

Contact, befriend, like and love The React here: Facebook

The Jetsonics NEW EP OUT NOW.

The Jetsonics are a London 3 piece with a sound that that harks back to the days of New Wave and Punk of 1977 - 1979 (think The Jam here as opposed to The Police), their sound is raw, tight and punchy, they're old enough to know better. But they're also smart enough to know that knowing better isn't always much fun. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you The Jetsonics.

This is the third EP release by the band and like the previous releases, the songs are ultra catchy, full of energy, attitude and delivered with snarling passion.

I was lucky enough to catch the band last year playing with Len Price 3 and The Past Tense at the legendary "Half Moon" in London and can vouch that their live performance is every bit as good as their recordings!

The Jetsonics are:

Adam Donovan, Sam Day, Dave Lombardi

Live Dates:

The Jetsonics Live at The Scream Lounge, Croydon

Saturday, 6 October 2012 at 20:00 in UTC+01

The Jetsonics live at The Grey Horse, Kingston

Friday, 19 October 2012 at 20:00 in UTC+01

 Photo: Paul Slattery

 Contact, befriend, like and love The Jetsonics: Facebook

The Jetsonics official web site: http://www.thejetsonics.com/

Download all 3 EP's here: itunes

Contact the band via facebook or their official site if you would like physical copies of the EP.

Michael Gross and The Statuettes - Sunset Beach. OUT TODAY

Michael Gross & The Statuettes are an Indie Rock/Pop band from Salt Lake City that formed in 2008. Michael Gross is formerly a member of the band The Brobecks , which received regional and national recognition from various music web sites, blogs, and magazines around the country as an up and coming "buzz band".  In 2007 Michael left The Brobecks, and recorded a solo album in 2008 entitled “Tales From a Country Home”. Shortly after, Michael decided to form a band around this new project. The Statuettes were born. The current lineup consists of Michael Gross (vocals, guitar), Jimmy Kelly (guitar), Ben Johnson (bass/keys), and Andy Patterson (drums). 

The band has independently released three E.P.’s entitled  “Dust & Daylight EP” (2009), “Impulse & Exports EP” (2010), and "Imaginary Signs EP" (2011). Their debut full-length album entitled "Telepath" was released in 2010 by Jon Siebels of Eve 6, some of which are available for free download on the bands bandcamp page. (Link at the bottom of the page).

 When I received this album the band told me that they had been compared to Radiohead and Weezer and you can certainly hear those two artists in the songs, however, if you are not a Radiohead fan, don't let that put you off, Michael and The Statuettes are so much better and everyone likes Weezer right?

The album breathes into life with the melancholic "We're just shadows" which could have easily sat on Radioheads "The Bends", this is followed by the upbeat "Don't let me down" which has to be my favourite track on the album with its ultra catchy chorus and strong melody, if I was making a mix tape, for the car, this would definately have to be on it. That said, there are no weak tracks or fillers on this album, so I would suggest you just take the complete album with you.


 

The album closes with another great song, "Black is black" which is a song with a big sound and a fantastic production, this song is right in your face, actually, this one could be my favourite, in fact they could all be my favourites!

This is a well balanced album of uptempo songs and more laid back numbers, all of which are extremely well penned songs, melodic and with abundant hooks, delivered with total conviction and passion, this is a really great album and has certainly encouraged me to look into the bands back catalogue, which, I am really looking forward to hearing.

Michael and The Statuettes are:

Michael Gross - Vocals, Guitar, Jimmy Kelly - Guitar and Ben Johnson - Bass

Catch Michael Gross and The Statuettes live for FREE at one of the following gigs:

August 17th - St. George, UT @ Jazzy's

August 18th- Las Vegas, NV @ Freakin' Frog

August 19th- Long Beach, CA @ The Blue Cafe

August 20th- Los Angeles, CA @ Silverlake Lounge

Contact, befriend, like and love the band here: Facebook 

Listen to the new album and download others for free here: Bandcamp

Official Website: http://michaelgrossmusic.com/

Brandy Butler & the Fonxionaires - Don't Want Nothin' OUT NOW

Earlier in the year I raved about a splendid soul outfit from France called "Mr Day" who blew me away with their take on soul music, now I have been hit again by Brandy Butler and The Fonxionaires, this is really magnificent!

I first heard the powerful vocals of Ms Brandy Butler, on this occasion backed by the most excellent "The Fonxionaires," on the Retroman Blog Retrosonic Podcast, which was crammed full of great mod and soul music, and I immediately got in touch with Steve over there to ask him for some details as I really wanted to share this little soul nugget with the world. This is 'A' class Soul, Motown, Stax and a little Northern Soul, if you like any of those genres, you are going to love this, this hasn't been off the stereo since it arrived and it has got me delving into more of the output of both Brandy and The Fonxionaires as I am sure it will you.

‘There’s a soul revival a-comin’ and standing at the forefront of the storm is the Switzerland based band Brandy Butler and The Fonxionaires. Playing originally composed sweet and rough old school 60’s soul and then adding the sultry powerful vocals of Miss Brandy Butler (the Black American soul mama), you won’t be able to help yourself from Hip Shakin, booty swinging , and soul struttin’!

The Fonxionaires make hits. Numerous contemporary bands play soul music, recordings inspired by the classic singles of the Motown, Stax, Atlantic, and thousands of other regional U.S. record labels that forged the timeless R&B sounds of the 60s and 70s. But The Fonxionaires do something more. They take those sounds and ingeniously craft them into insistent, ingratiating music that light up the listener’s spirits like a long-lost friend entering a room.

It's been 12 years a-coming, but history has been made. The Fonxionaires have built a throne of soul, and collaborating with Ms. Brandy Butler, she'll be holding court like a Queen at its center. While their contemporaries may flirt with these highs, Brandy Butler and The Fonxionaires groove at dazzling stratospheric heights across 14 fantastic songs on this, their debut long-player: " Don't Want Nothin' "

Contact, befriend, like and love Brandy Butler and The Fonxionaires here: FACEBOOK 

Contact, befriend, like and love Brandy Butler here: FACEBOOK

Downloads available via iTunes  Amazon

Physical copies available via mail order at: http://www.copasetic.de/

Los Espeluzznantes - Sonidos Escalofriantes

 

And so the week begins again, the weekend is a distant memory, the hangover is gone and work beckons, but try as you might you can't shake the cobwebs from your head and can't bring yourself to wake up.  I have a cure!  Los Espeluzznantes are the cure.  If these guys with their dirty garage sixties infused vibes can't kick you into gear, then I suggest you take the rest of the week off.

Hailing from Almeria in Spain, their sound is crude and primitive, fuzz and farfisas jammed with the gloomy and raspy voice of Fatchivo referring to the most troubled of the Series B horror movies.
Think, The Mummies declared, The Gruesomes, Gravedigger V, The Fuzztones, Screaming Lord Sutch, The Trashmen, to The Staggers, The Headless Hearsemen and Manganzoides and you have some idea of where this band are coming from.....and possible where they are going!

 Sonidos Escalofriantes, or Spooky Sounds as it translates, is entirely sung in Spanish, but this doesn't really pose any problems whatsoever, if you can scream, you can sing along......providing you can scream in key of course!

Los Espeluzznantes are: 

Baron Fatchivo - Guitar
Mr. Cosmico - Organ
El Piña - Bass
Monica Vampira- Drums

This is an amazing album, it is everything Garage/Horror Garage music should be, raw, powerful, energetic, a bit scary and very, very loud.  Treat yourself to a wake up call!

Contact, befriend, like and love Los Espeluzznantes here: FACEBOOK

Buy the album here: Veneno Records

The Begging Sea (Ex Sherwood)

A few years back I discovered a great band called Sherwood who sadly broke up this year after several EP's and three full length albums, it was a real shame to see this band, influenced by The Beatles and Beach Boys amongst others, break up, but then that is the way things go I guess.

The good news though is that frontman Nate Henry has a new project going called The Begging Sea and is currently raising funds through "Kickstarter" in order to put a new album out.  I think that this is the only way many bands are able to put music out these days as funding from record labels is very hard to come by.

 

Take a look at Nate's great video to raise funds for the project.

 

 

So far The Begging Sea have managed to obtain pledges to the value of nearly 10,000 dollars but need to raise 15,000 to get the project under way with just under a month to go.  There are different deals for different pledges, you can have a meal with Nate, have a song written and recorded for you or someone else (cool gift idea!) or even a dog day with you and your dog and Nate and his very talented dog and much much more!

 

 

 Go take a look at the Kickstarter page here: The Begging Sea Kickstart

Contact, befriend, like and love The Begging Sea here: FACEBOOK

The 1840's - Pushing Squares Down Back to Size

This Tel Aviv 3 piece power pop outfit, led by prominent songwriter Avishai Efrat, sure know how to craft a fine tune or seven as they display here on this 7 track mini album.



The 1840's are: Avishai Efrat Vocals & Guitars, Abiathar Oren Bass & Vocals and Adam Blumethal
Drums.

This is a great debut from the band with some really driving, well crafted songs, my favourite track is the album opener "Rainbow" which has a great catchy chorus, my only disappointment with these guys is that they didn't go the whole way and release a full album, but I guess that just gives us something to look forward to!


I wasn't able to find out too much information about these guys as their bio is very short and reading their facebook to try and gleen some more info was a bit tough as the majority of the posts are in hebrew, but I am sure they would love to see some posts there from all over.

Listen to and buy the mini album at a "Name Your Price" cost here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, like and love The 1840's here: Facebook

Atomic Jones - Previous Adventures in Lo-Fi FREE 20 TRACK DOWNLOAD!

Not to be confused with the Tom Jones tribute band of the same name, this is the Atomic Jones featuring Paul Bertolino, Brent Ratkovich, Nathan Alfaro and Mitch Norwick which could only mean one thing, this is classic power pop with all the trimmings and more and what is more it is totally free and in these times of austerity measures, something for nothing is great and something that is free and great is even better!



This album was recorded on a 4 track and one surprising feature here is the quality of the recordings, but don't take my word for it, download it and enjoy it!!!!

Also check out Paul's other albums on Bandcamp, they are all brilliant and mostly free!!!!!!  Cheers Paul.

Download the album FREE here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, like and love Paul Bertolino here: Facebook

The Sitting Tenants - From The Ground Up. Out 13th August.

 

Another sparkling gem found on the bandcamp site that I just had to share is The Sitting Tenants, a band firmly rooted in the sound of the sixties but stretching their sound to encompass a bit of power pop and soul along their musical journey, I love the drive of these songs, stomping beats and some classic rhythm and blues harmonica as well as some dirty feedback!

 The Sitting Tenants are a band built from musicians with a love of classic power-pop, new wave, psych & soul. Signed to the very discerning Modernist label 208 Records, the band have a powerful small venue live show with some great tunes. This is the true spirit of pub-rock; original tunes with classic influences, well played. Thats live music!!

The Sitting Tenants are: Rob Dady - guitar, vocals, harmonica, Pat Luszcz - bass, vocals, feedback
Luke Bibby - drums and John Sawyer - guitar, vocals .

Rob Dady was the frontman and leader of the mod band "Roundabout" for ten years, touring all over Europe and releasing 2 albums before founding the "208 Records Label" and forming the current band.
The "208 Records" concentrates on bands influenced by the Mod & Psychedelic era, from power-pop to ska, from folk to soul to the mists of English Psychedelia.
Rob told me, "The aim of all my musical activity is to provide a platform for crafted bands & songwriters playing their own music influenced by classic bands from The Action to The Zombies & all in between!!" and listening to the bands on the label, not only do I suggest checking out The Sitting Tenants but check out the other artists that he has signed.

Contact, befriend, like and love The Sitting Tenants here: Facebook 

Stream and buy the album here: Bandcamp 

Check out the other artists on the 208 Records label here: 208 Records 

The Sunny Boys - FreebOObin. OUT NOW

The summer is always a great time, hitting the beach with friends, warm evenings with a heady blossom scent in the air and of course a good soundtrack for the season.

The Sunny Boys were born in 2003 as the Italian Beach Boys Tribute Band, and started producing their own material in 2008. The “Sunnies”, as the fans love to call them, are consantly in tour between Italy, Austria, France, Spain, Finland and Svitzerland, and after more than 350 concerts they keep on revisiting the Beach Boys harmonies also in their Surf/Rock original songs. In June 2007 they published “Back To The Beach“, a live album with 20 Beach Boys songs. On July 4th 2008 they published their second album with 10 original songs called “Beach Sounds“. In February 2009 they participated to the “Festival di Sanremo“, the most important music tv festival in Italy with their single “Respirando il mare”. In 2010 they came out with their second italian single “Aria di Vacanza“. In 2011 they are touring Italy, Finland and Spain, and in 2012 they release their second album "FreebOObin'".



The Sunny Boys 10 track album is a soundtrack to make that trip to the beach to, windows rolled down, arm on the door and played loud for all to hear, spend the day kicking back at the beach or wherever and then head home and party to the upbeat, melodic tunes with the surf harmonies we all know and love.

Well, that is me then, off to wax the board, fire up the little deuce coupe, crank up the stereo and hit the beach, if anyone asks where I am, tell 'em I'm surfin!

Listen and buy The Sunny Boys album here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, like and love The Sunny Boys here: Facebook

Stanley Road - Mieres-Bridge Limited Edition Single

Stanley Road have released a limited edition 7" single and once again it is an absolute stomper with echoes of The Jam in amongst the grooves.  I have to say I am really looking forward to an album from these guys who seem to be going from strength to strength!

Stanley Road born in 2003 in the Asturian coal basin, specifically in Mieres, post-industrial city full of unemployed where the drug drove youth wild and cause ravage back in the 80's ... The boys decide to form a Mod revival band with the idea of shake the national scene and return this style to the place it deserves.

Listen to and buy the single here:  Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, like and love Stanley Road here: Facebook

The band also have some great T-Shirts with their logo on and I am the proud owner of two of them!!!

Shipping queries and any other questions to: stanleyroadband@gmail.com

Retrosonic Podcasts Mod Scene Part 1 & 2.

 

My good friend and fellow blogger Steve from the Retroman blog has compiled 2 very good podcasts on the Mod Scene that I would like to share with you today, featuring music by, The Past Tense, Monkeeman, The Lemontops, Len Price 3 and many, many more.  Enjoy!

Check out the Retroman blog HERE

Contact, befriend, like and love Retroman here: FACEBOOK

Phenomenal Cat - Postcards From The British Empire. Part One. FREE DOWNLOAD

Earlier in the year I featured Phenomenal Cat and quoted their music as being "Delectable slices of power pop from the top shelf of the confectionary shop."   They have now released the first six singles from their single a month project in a single package which has a little nod to my earlier comment, only the ever modest band decided to go for the middle shelf, I however, still go with my original comment of top shelf material.

Phenomenal Cat have recently been taken on by Futureman Records for this release and are currently working on the next single for release later this month.

Download Part 1 of Postcards From the British Empire here: Futureman Records

Contact, befriend, like and love Phenomenal Cat here: Facebook

Don't forget to check out all the other albums on Futureman Records too, there are some great acts on there.