Burnt Ones at Death By Audio

The fuzz-psych universe has both a happier, glowy light side and a mopey bummer of a dark side. Lately the dark side is getting all the attention, most obviously because of the unexpected new My Bloody Valentine album. Well, that has nothing to do with Burnt Ones. They are solidly on the light side with a more optimistic sound. Not that they're a straight-up hippie band but they get awfully close at times. At other times they rock out harder, approaching Nightmare Air territory but never quite so vicious. Think of them as a "good trip" psych band who want you to stare at the sky instead of your shoes.

Posted: 7/1/2013 at 7:35pm     Tags: Burnt Ones  Death By Audio 

The Reigning Sound at South Street Seaport

At least for this one show The Reigning Sound were more of a soulful rock band than a raucous rock band. Personally I prefer the latter, but they're just so good no matter what they're playing that I didn't really care.

Posted: 6/30/2013 at 7:28pm     Tags: 4Knots Music Festival  South Street Seaport  The Reigning Sound 

Bad Cop at Glasslands Gallery

Some lead singers stand in one place the whole time and just sing. To these people, Adam Moult of Bad Cop is Satan. This guy was everywhere, on the amps, out in the audience, just pretty much being a one-man show (aside from the music of course, which was a five-man show).  I get the feeling that back in Nashville they're known as something of a party band despite getting pretty heavy at times.

Posted: 6/27/2013 at 7:10pm     Tags: Bad Cop  Glasslands Gallery 

Man or Astro-Man? at Brooklyn Bowl

Is it just me or has surf-rock turned into performance art? Bands like Man or Astro-Man? and Daikaiju seem to put as much effort into their look and stage show as the music. Fortunately that's lots of effort. You can probably imagine what Man or Astro-Man? sound like. Their music is nothing new. They just do it in the most entertaining way possible. Check out the Moogatron vs. Theremin battle. Silly and awesome.

Posted: 6/22/2013 at 4:33pm     Tags: Brooklyn Bowl  Man or Astro-Man? 

Jacuzzi Boys at Brooklyn Bowl

I'm not sure whether to call the Jacuzzi Boys' music a slightly cleaned up take on garage rock or a more furious take on indie pop. They do have a bit of that modern indie sound a la DIIV but wilder, less predictable. Either way I definitely see the appeal.

As for their stage presence, well, I get the feeling they're used to smaller stages. These guys just sort of do their thing, which in the case of singer/guitarist Gabriel Alcala involves whipping his hair around a lot. Catch them for the music, perhaps at a smaller, darker venue where the crowd won't be afraid to follow Mr. Alcala's lead.

Posted: 6/22/2013 at 1:18pm     Tags: Brooklyn Bowl  Jacuzzi Boys