Column: In Da Club - 005, Feb 2004
By: Joshua K
'ello!
After a beery, lairy, rockin' sojourn in Lahndan,* in which In Da Club decided it was Cockney despite being from Queens, NY, we're finally back back back on the scene. So give us a cuddle - and a rousing shout of 'Oi! Guvnor!' - and check out the latest bright young things New York City has to offer.
And don't forget to keep those tips coming to the inimitable Mr. L (tobyl@rockfeedback.com) and his able-bodied sidekick, the one and only Mr. K (that would be me: joshuak@rockfeedback.com).
INOUK
Sadly not a rock-n-roll Eskimo (though that would be pretty cool), but an equally exciting proposition: five sonically-adventurous young-ins who are the latest signings to UK label Independiente, with American distribution on tiny indie Say Hey Records.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Because they forgo punk-funk, screamo/extremo/emo and all the other rapidly expiring trends of the moment for a more daring and artful experience, full of changing dynamics, hidden yet soaring melodies and haunting tunes - while avoiding the awful trapdoor marked 'Prog' at every turn. Confused? Don't be. Instead just picture a glorious mashup between Brian Eno and The Byrds in David Bowie's Berlin studio. Warm tones inspired by the '70s but sounding timeless, driven by the interplay between co-lead vocalists (and brothers) Damon and Alexander McMahon.
But don't believe us. Seek out debut EP 'Search for the Bees' this spring, or their first LP this fall.
FIND OUT MORE: http://www.sayheyrecords.com/inouk.html
HURRY-UP OFFENSE
Fun yet disaffected, subversively intelligent pop-punk, named after an American football term for playing fast.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Who doesn't like to rock out? So why not do it hard, to three DIY youth who got their start turning up at East Village clubs and seeing how many songs they could squeeze into impromptu 10 minute sets. And when you escape the pit, appreciate such subtle touches as latest A-side 'Punk Life' - part of the independently released new EP, 'Labor Day' - which does nothing short of rework and reimagine Nortorious BIG track 'Juicy' for the alt-rock scene.
Following a stint on the US edition of the Warped tour, the band have recently been in the studio with Green Day producer Chris Dugan.
FIND OUT MORE: http://www.hurryupoffense.net
Until next month...
* Special cheers to rockfeedback maestro Toby L, The Kills, The Zutons, Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Camden Barfly, Ciaran at Paul Smith, and the fans for the hospitality.