Music

With new releases from Japandroids, JEFF The Brotherhood and Andrew W.K. all on the horizon, it is safe to say that 2012 is becoming a landmark year for bro-rock. Expect this summer to be full of shout-along anthems about hanging with your buds, going to killer parties and overall staying positive in face of adversity/criticism/vaginas. Today, five-piece bro gang Fang Island have released the first song from Major,  the follow-up to their 2010 broner-inducing self-titled album. The song is called “Asunder” and it is full of everything we have come to expect from these guys: massive guitar solos, fast-paced percussion and incredibly life-affirming lyrics. Listen below and get ready to bro-out when Major hits release on July 24th (bro).

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The band formely known as The Morning Benders has recently changed their name to POP ETC. While on a UK and Europe tour in 2010 they realized that the word ‘benders’ doubles as meaning homosexuals. Ex-Morning Benders bandmates thought ‘benders’ was just a funny term to describe the act of going out and partying all night. But, in other countries the band name was creating a distraction, not allowing them to be taken seriously. They also did not want to have a name that was demeaning to the gay community; the purpose of their music is to unite different groups of people, not to create separation. This led to the birth of POP ETC; it is the same band, but new name. They wanted a name that was easy to remember, as well as a name that describes their sound, and those were the two main reasons they choose POP ETC.

POP ETC. has released an 11-track mixtape that is definitely worth checking out. “Halfway to Heaven” is the first single from the album; and as described in their name, it is filled with catchy pop sounds, etc.

POP ETC.: Halfway to Heaven

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By: Robyn Johnson

The Sugarman Three

What The World Needs Now

Daptone Records

The Sugarman Three is a retro-funk band from New York. Sugarman formed in 1996 by saxophonist Neal Sugarman, Hammond organ player Adam Scone, and drummer Rudy Albin. This album immediately commands the listener to dance. Even if you feel silly doing it, the baselines will not let you stand still. As a fan of Motown and Funk, I could definitely see myself putting on this album to dance around the house while cleaning.  This is especially present in the song “Got to Get back to My Baby,” which is somewhat predictable, but still satisfyingly funky and easy to move to. The track “But It’s Allright” is fun and familiar sounding, like something you would hear at an outdoor get together. The only thing that I think would make this track better would be some loud, soulful vocals. The track entitled “Witches Boogaloo”  is punctuated by lots of whooping and hollering, which makes you feel as if you are in some kind of cool, but probably stereotypical jazz nightclub. That’s not a bad thing though, especially since in your nightclub dreams you are probably wearing some hip hat and smoking out of a long cigarette holder. Although that could just be me. All in all, the album shows good musicianship, and it is a good purchase if you like Motown and Funk. It’s not groundbreaking, but it will make you move. And really, that’s the whole point.

By: Rachel Martz

UPDATE: Fixed!

Hooray! Athfest headliners (and WUOG’s best buddies!) Reptar, in conjunction with Comedy Central, have uploaded their album Body Faucet to Youtube so that all of the hardcore “Reptards” can get an early taste before the album officially drops through Vagrant Records on May 1st. It’s clear that the energy and pure funk from their live shows has translated well to their first full length, even if Youtube user theoctobersurprise seems to disagree.

“Vagrant has f**ked this band up. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RAW, Athens, rock n’ roll? This band may be f**ked before anyone gets to hear them. Look at my channel and listen to how they REALLY sound, before these producer scum got their hands on them. Or go to KEXP’s channel, they had a great recording session there. What a shame.”

Geez theoctobersuprise, LIGHTEN UP. Be cool, man.

Pre-order what will surely be the most important local album of the year over at:
Amazon
iTunes

By: Nathan Kerce

By: Audrey Brasuell

Alternative female R&B duo THEESatisfaction throw a fashionable get-together in the music video for “QueenS”, the standout track from their debut album awe. There are fancy silk gloves, Cosby sweaters and sick dance moves galore. The house party theme of video is fitting given that the song itself sounds like a super funky rendition of an “Event Description” page on Facebook. “QueenS” and other tracks from awe are currently in rotation over at the station so keep your ears peeled.

By: Nathan Kerce

Horse Feathers

Cynic’s New Year

Kill Rock Stars Records

Portland band Horse Feathers’ is an instrumentally diverse band, incorporating the sounds of bells, piano, banjo, woodwind, horn, and a acoustic guitar to name a few. The band’s relaxed folk inspired album is the fourth of its kind, and HF has increasingly perfected their sound over the past six years. The vocals of Justin Ringle are hushed, but never vanquished by violinist Nathan Crockett or cellist Catherine Odell. If you are looking for a somber indie folk album for the summer, this is the one.

Reviewed by: Robyn Johnson

Another brooklyn-duo is on the scene, and they are bringing you the finest in aggressive pop punk. Secret Music’s new music video for “Ghost In The Graveyard” features Ted Batchelor, who holds the Guinness World Record for longest body-burn. This is the first single released off of their debut self-titled album (produced by Passion Pit’s Ayad Al Adhamy). Secret Music is kicking off their West Coast tour with Middle Class Rut and Beware of Darkness April 22nd. Next stop, East Coast please?

Secret Music Spring 2012 Tour:
* w/Middle Class Rut and Beware of Darkness

4/21/12 The Juggermaut Gallup, NM
4/22/12 The Black Sheep Colorado Springs, CO
4/24/12 Marquis Theatre Denver, CO
4/25/12 Club Sound Salt Lake City, UT
4/26/12 Neurolux Boise, ID
4/27/12 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
4/28/12 T A Club Spokane, WA
4/29/12 El Corazon Seattle, WA
5/2/12 Fulton 55 Fresno, CA
5/3/12 House of Blues San Diego, CA
5/4/12 Constellation Room Santa Ana, CA
5/5/12 Silverston Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, NV
5/6/12 Troubadour West Hollywood, CA

WUOG favorites Cloud Nothings have released a bizarro animated clip for Attack On Memory single “Stay Useless” that is half rejected 90’s Nicktoon pilot and half exciting giant monkey battle. Click the image above to watch the video via MTVu who recently honored Cloud Nothings with a nomination for their highly esteemed “Breaking Woodie” award.

1. Tanlines: All of Me

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2. Bear in Heaven: Sinful Nature

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Tanlines has released a second video (first: “Brothers”) from their latest album Mixed Emotions. If indie-pop is your thing, then the relaxing vocals, hand claps, and 80’s synths of “All of Me” will surely be right up your alley.

Brooklyn band Bear in Heaven released “Sinful Nature” last month as the first single off of their third album I Love you, It’s Cool. Like their other songs, “Sinful Nature” is drenched in dreamy vocals and floating, bass-heavy synths.

Both songs fit perfectly on your feel good, dance-y summer playlist.

By: Robyn Johnson