Band to Watch: ScotDrakula
ScotDrakula is a lo-fi, garage rock trio from Melbourne, Australia. The group released their debut album CRACKSTRENGTH – yes you read that right – last May. I’ll let their Facebook bio suffice as the band’s introduction:
We showed up at your party like a half hour ago, snagged a couple of unguarded beers from the fridge, hassled the dj to play something good, broke the toilet and lit a smoke off your oven. Your Move.
This is the type of licentious behavior that has served as the lifeblood of great rock bands for decades. I say this knowing full well that this same booze-infused debauchery often unraveled more careers than it furthered. But damn it if it don’t make for a good listen from time to time. For evidence, stream “Kick Out the AmberLights” here:
ScotDrakula teeters toward the punkier side of the indie scene. More in terms of energy and vocal delivery than the dense, power chords that serve as a hallmark of the genre’s guitar play. To be honest, the voice of lead singer Matt Neuman is one that took me a few spins to embrace. I tend to gravitate towards more delicate, soulful vocals. It wasn’t until I had clawed through the layers of reverb and fuzzy rhythms that I found a cocksure, classic rock n’ roll essence to Neuman’s voice. I was hooked.
Check out a video for the track “Don’t Do Anything Stupid” below. You can download CRACKSTRENGTH for free via ScotDrakula’s Bandcamp page. Songs “Shake ya Bones!” and “Buy a Shovel” showcase the band’s punk influences more than anything featured here, and are worth a spin on a day when you’re looking for a kick in the pants. Your ears will be running back for repeat listens, I promise.
Connect with ScotDrakula via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Hospitality “Friends of Friends”
I sit here and cringe as I think about the obnoxious marimba tone that will be ringing in my ear at 3:00 am this morning. I will be asked to be alive before the careless have gone to bed. The coffee will be stale tomorrow. I will look half-alive as I hit the terminal, and realize that I will need a special catalyst to carry me on my journey out east. This session of zombie travel will be rewarded with a midday arrival in the greatest city on earth: New York. A special motivating song is the only way I am going to fight through this morning. A welcoming band from Brooklyn will carry me to my destination.
Hospitality was formed in 2007 and they released their debut full-length on January 31. Since this record entered my world I have let it carry me through my early mornings. The vocals of Amber Papini constantly call for a party and beg for me to exist. Track, “Friends of Friends” begins will simple, howling chords. Offering more breath than a cup of espresso this song causes me to bounce much in the same way as songs that make up the CSS and YACHT colleagues. Enter Papini’s appropriate opening line “I don’t want to go, down to 14th street, in old New York, I’d rather be home” and now I have myself an anthem.
As I trudge through the terminal, “Friends of Friends” will do more for me than a quick pick me up. This song will serve more for me than 5 hours of energy…as long as I have it on repeat.
Connect with Hospitality via MySpace | Bandcamp
“Friends of Friends”
Written by Brett McGrath
Band to Watch: Moonlight Bride
I’ve found myself writing quite a bit about Brooklyn bands recently here on Thought on Tracks, so it’s time to branch out a bit. And what more logical second city to go to next than Chattanooga, Tennessee, home of Moonlight Bride, right? Actually, I know that’s asinine, and I have nothing against the great people of Chattanooga, but it just isn’t the place I’d expect great rock/pop music to come from. Barbecued ribs and religion sure, but not progressive sound. Enter Moonlight Bride, who take a brick and throw it right through my “Duncan’s Toychest” window (Home Alone 2 buffs rejoice) to shatter these preconceived notions of mine.
Moonlight Bride was founded by Justin Wilcox and Tyke Calfee in 2007 before adding drummer Matthew Livingston and guitarist Justin Grasham to complete the band. They released their first LP entitled Myths in late 2009, which sounds a lot like a more droning Interpol record. The tracks feature big build-ups, magnificent guitar riffs, along with some bold, aching vocals. Sample a live performance of “Young Guns” from the album courtesy of IndieATL below.
The guys are now back and ready to drop a new EP on February 28 entitled Twin Lakes featuring new track “Lemonade”, which you can listen to below. Oh, and by the way, this song is damn good. The track sounds a bit more shoegazey than their previous songs with more control and polish. The guitar is still featured and weaves its way through a song whose lyrics show a general angst in “making it” as a band.
“Lemonade”
Crafting music like this, “making it” shouldn’t be too far away for Moonlight Bride. They are currently touring the southern US (where’s the Midwest love guys?) before stopping through SXSW in March.
Connect with Moonlight Bride via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 