Column: In Da Club - 002, Oct 2003
By: Joshua K
Hi, ho, here we go... 'In Da Club' #2 - nursing another month's worth of hangovers and still devoted to uncovering the next cool, life-changing and, at the very least, downright entertaining bands about to hit your world. Keep those tips coming, to joshuak@rockfeedback.com and tobyl@rockfeedback.com and get ready to rock...
JONNY LIVES!
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: It's all about the music for this lot. Carefully-crafted, mid-paced rock designed to stir the feelings, meets the powerful pipes of singer Jonny Dubowsky. So yes, the band can punch up the guitars like the big boys. But a true test of songs is how well they hold up when stripped back to their basic elements; based on thirty minutes witnessing Jonny busking solo with an acoustic guitar, rockfeedback can attest just fine indeed. See especially their deserves-to-be-an-anthem, 'Lost My Mind'.
Following a slot at this year's recent In The City, things are happening fast for Jonny and the boys. They're also playing a New York CMJ show before heading over to the UK for a week-long tour in November (including a London Camden Barfly gig on 4 Nov.). That week, the Superior Quality label releases their debut single, 'Get Steady'. Don't say we didn't warn you.
FIND OUT MORE: http://www.jonnylives.com.
THE HOLD STEADY
From the ashes of mid-'90s U.S. art-punks Lifter Puller comes singer Craig Finn's new band. A four-piece collision of driving guitars, pounding drums and spoke-sung lyrics that'll smack you upside the head while intriguing/enticing in the same heartbeat.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Rare is the band that offers something for everyone. Want swirling, visceral musical thrills like fellow Minnesota native Bob Mould (Husker Du / Sugar) used to make? Check. Gruff, in-your-face emoting? Check. And how about that rarest quality, indeed - smart words worth listening to, that combine intelligent observation, brilliant imagery and wry humor? Check that as well.
And don't forget opinions. You want your favorite bands to actually mean something, don't you? Well, The Hold Steady don't disappoint here either. Promised upcoming treatises on their website include: 'how much I hate 80s-influenced 'new wave' bands, and how lyric writing in indie rock is at an all time low. Trust me, you'll be ashamed of yourself. Stop encouraging this shit, OK?'
New Yorkers have been blown away at venues including Mercury Lounge and Northsix. You will too, at this month's CMJ Festival in NYC or when their album hits the shops early next year on French Kiss Records (Les Savy Fav, Ex Models).
FIND OUT MORE: http://www.theholdsteady.com.
Until next month...