Sometimes I like to look for songs that include the names of my kids. One of my daughter’s favorites is by Raffi. You know, whatever. I got a hit with The Loved Ones (nice, appropriate), and hey look, they’re even on 3hive! I figured I’d update Sean’s post from ’05 with another free download, “Suture Self,” and let everybody know that a new album’s coming out in February. Rock on.
Suture Self [MP3, 2.8MB, 128kbps]
Sean’s original post: 03/22/05
I know we’re late on this, but if you haven’t done so already, raid the SXSW site for a shload of MP3s (hit the day, then artist links) before they’re pulled. When in Texas, eat like a Texan. So, off to the The Salt Lick for slabs of heaven on earth. After demolishing three rounds of smoked ambrosia, my BBQ buddies dropped me off on Red River Street where I could hear The Loved Ones blasting their brand of stripped down, punk ‘n’ roll for all the world to hear. I scrambled my way up to the front of the stage for their raucous set, fueled by the bottled-up energy of their twenty-seven hour road trip to make the show. Me? I was fueled by brisket. Culinary and musical highlights coming together like magic.
We’ll go Detroit local for today’s post, and check out New Grenada’s punky rock riffs and rips, boops and bips, toy instruments and just about anything else they dig out of the closet. Like a lot of awesome indie rock outfits, John Nelson, Nicole Allie and Dave Melkonian seem to make a lot more sound than you’d expect from so few people. With three LPs and a handful of 7″ and other recordings to their credit, New Grenada seem to be about to hit the sweet spot (even if their photo suggests they’re survivng solely on the kindliness of others). Check out their latest tracks — “Emergency Brigade” and “Meat is Murdermobile,” from the 2006 release Modern Problems — for a sense of their sonic range.
Somehow, this holiday season snuck up on me. No more pigs in blankets! No more cheap red wine! I revolt. I can’t listen to DJ’s play the greatest hits of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s anymore! I revolt! I am deeply desirous of a comfortable pair of pajamas, a cup of tea, some only-me-and-no-one-else time and the piece de resistance… new Dead Meadow playing on repeat. Shan called it way back in ’05—“blissful rock and roll melancholyâ€. I couldn’t agree more. What better place to escape to in the midst of small talk, velvet dresses, candles and fake snow? These guys had it right when they took their fifth-album making selves to rural Indiana to create these tunes—there is something deliciously escapist about them.
Greg is having a good day. He won a debate on global warming, wasting his opponent, and will soon gorge himself on all-you-can-eat Chinese. Furthermore, he’s got the chance to tell the whole Internet about Albert Hammond, Jr.: “This is so much pressure… You actually typed that? Well, for lack of better words, Albert Hammond, Jr. is like The Strokes in caffeine-free form. Which makes sense, considering that Albert Hammond, Jr. is, in fact, the lead guitarist for the band mentioned prior. And, you know what, I’m gonna get Guitar Hero for my mom for Christmas.” Thanks, Greg. You rock. Thanks also to 
We just got this e-mail from Jared and Stacey Schwartz, and they’re doing this neat thing with a new website, 
Four out of five doctors recommend The Vandelles as an effective tinnitus tonic. There just isn’t anything better to beat a nagging case of tinnitus than the thick dose of white noise that is “Lovely Weather.” I’ve submersed my head in The Vandelles’ ocean of fuzz and wave upon droning wave of shimmering surf guitar has washed over me with soothing results. If that’s too noisy for your tastes, pod up the swell “Swell to Heaven” and get a load of what it sounds like when you cross-pollinate the Beach Boys with the Jesus & Mary Chain. Sweet summertime melodies swim lazily underneath the thick surface of guitars. I’ll withhold final judgement until I hear more, but The Vandelles are on the verge of christening a new genre: Wave of Sound.
Supposedly, jail can change a man. To my knowledge, none of the 3hive men have done time in the joint — I can’t speak for Lisa. Duquette Johnston did, in Etowah County, Alabama. According to the publicity people, his album Etowah “is a reflection on where life can take a wrong turn…” I guess Duquette would know. A few years back, Johnston and Superphonic labelmate 
Service Group songs start like any other indie pop song, then suddenly the ’70s era Top 40 guitars and choruses come roaring in, and its awesome, like when Datsun became Nissan. Service Group remind me of Boston the same way Ben Folds might remind you of Elton John, and that’s a good thing.