Column: In Da Club - 001, Sept 2003
By: Joshua K
Welcome to the first edition of new column, 'In Da Club' - devoted to - in theory - uncovering the next cool, life-changing and, at the very least, downright entertaining bands about to affirmatively rock your world.
In each monthly edition, we intend to feature artists currently bubbling under, playing supports in clubs (hence the name - sorry Mr. 50 Cent; like, please don't kill me, I'm from Queens too, yo), recording demos and otherwise works-in-progress. Tomorrow's musical-heroes: known today.
As rockfeedback's NYC-editor, most of the bands will have some connection to my fair city. Many will be discovered by happy (drunken) accident, second or third on the bill before too many pints cloud the judgement. But the scope will be widescreen: performers you can love from Athens, to London, to Zimbabwe. And we welcome your suggestions for future editions, to either myself (joshuak@rockfeedback.com) or our fearless, if strange-smelling, editor (tobyl@rockfeedback.com).
Now, without further adieu, let's party like it's your birthday...
Like much of New York rock today, this debut missive goes out in the shadow of The Strokes. In case you've been living in Siberia, the City's hottest put out their second LP (again produced by rockfeedback's own Gordon Raphael) in late-October... So it's only fitting that both bands profiled below bear Strokes connections while, importantly, sounding nothing like the boys...
GO TO TOWN
Our first band are the epitome of the spirit of 'In Da Club' (pictured above). Rockfeedback first heard of them back in February, following a friend's chance meeting with Strokes guru JP Bowersock (who's serving a similar role here) and we've been following their development ever since.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Outside of the Bowersock credentials, they quite simply rock like bastards. Picture a cross between The Pretenders and Joan Jett on one hand - down to spitfire singer/guitarist Elle's throaty growl - and Gang of Four on the other - thanks to the crushing, mesmerizing rhythm section of Gin on bass and David smashing the skins like a young Dave Grohl. Impressive even at only their second gig, the past six months have seen Go To Town develop a tight set of original material. With recording done at The Walkmen's Mercata Studios, and label showcases in progress, this lot are young-ins to watch out for.
FIND OUT MORE: http://www.gototownnyc.com.
UNISEX SALON
This other unsigned New York act may sound familiar to attentive rockfeedback readers from a brief mention in one of Msr. Raphael's early columns and an appearance on his 'Top Hits Vol. 1' CD. But recent months have seen their stripped-down New Wave sound - once merely a boy, a girl and a keyboard - fleshed out with a full band to dramatic effect.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: An impeccable set of influences (Cars meets Talking Heads synth-rock, with soulful, Bryan Ferry-esque vocals) + high energy performance + a cool pop-art sensibility = an exciting, darkly glamorous mix. The now five-piece have recently graced NY nightspots Mercury Lounge, Piano's and the Saturday night headline-slot at indie den du jour, Lit. With recording plans imminent and labels including Palm Pictures offshoot Kemado Records taking notice, now's the time to welcome le Salon into your '80s-meets-the-new-millennium-loving bosom.
FIND OUT MORE: http://www.unisexsalonband.com.
... So, what are you waiting for? Get clicking... and more importantly, get out there seeing new bands... Next month: the fierce art-rock of The Hold Steady and the soaring indie-sweep of Jonny Lives...
Photo-Credit: Crackerfarm Photography