New Indie music......

[Vauxhall]

Does anyone have any suggestions for some good indie bands? Ones that are really unknown now...not ones you can buy at Tower or Blockbuster Music please
I listen to stuff like
Morrissey, Belle and Sebastion, Arab Strap, Black Box Recorder etc etc
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
thanks,
--JP--

[Mani]

> Does anyone have any suggestions for some good indie bands? Ones
> that are really unknown now...not ones you can buy at Tower or
> Blockbuster Music please

Here's a few:

The Autumns--quite frankly, the greatest band I've heard in years. They take the shoegazer route, but very melodically inclined, and play with dynamics rather than volume. Imagination rather than innovation. And storytelling rather than songwriting. The hooks are nothing short of phenomenal, and the songs are greater, much greater than any hit song a critc can overglorify. Their flagship is in L.A., where the Doors and Jane's Addiction before them, established a redefinition of wonder and amazement in their mystique. The Autumns carry the torch for this generation, and in my opinion, spearhead the millenium. Unlike the other L.A. bands before them, their craft is not necessarily in their looks {albeit, female fans will not be disappointed} but in the product itself, which will last you an eternity of enjoyment, and then some. They have five recordings out, and you can find a way to order them on www.theautumns.com. My suggestion is to start with both of their full lengths "The Angel Pool", and the new release "In the Russet Gold of This Vain Hour" (Produced by Simon Raymonde, former Cocteau Twin). Proceed with the EPs. At this point, their label has fallen, and they are searching for a new deal. Guaranteed, this time out they will have a bigger profile when signed. This is the best time to find out about them; they are already a major cult obession, but are poised to become bigger in years to come. If there is any band one must know of, this is the one. Otherwise, you deserve to be deaf.

Lift to Experience--A band in the same scene as The Autumns, and at times rank neck-and-neck with with them. Think Slowdive meets Johnny Cash. Three crazy bastards from Denton, Texas. Their sound at times is overdriven, but manages to touch your soul. Where the Autumns send you on a journey, Lift sends you on one of the greatest trails of your life. I've seen these guys live a few times, and everytime they leave me in awe, as if it was always the first time. I only know of one release, and I know it's out there, but I do not own it yet. It's on Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie's label, Bella Union. Check out www.bellaunion.com.

The Arrogants--Pop music at it's best. With the shimmer and white-haze a la Sundays, this band from Orange County is undeniably irresistable. Plus, this band has what every guy loves--a hot female singer with a beautiful voice. Check out www.arrogants.com

Sing Sing--remember Lush? Emma Anderson has a new outfit in Sing Sing. It's more 60s pop, kinda like early Saint Etienne. Nothing like the aggro-driven Lush sound. Very songwriting oriented, and kinda like a stroll down Paris. They are also on Bella Union. You like Belle and Sebastian, you say? Give Sing Sing a shot. Right now, their full length debut is not released, but will be soon. The site has real audio of a few songs, though.

The Chameleons--you might've heard of them. An 80s post-punk outfit. Sometimes they are classified as goth, but I believe otherwise. Very echoing, stereophonic dreamy rock outfit. Why am I including them? They broke up in the late 80s, but this year marks their return. They are looking towards a new full length release, but remain unsigned. At one time, they were on Geffen, but now they are independent, and since they retain a loyal following, they classify as indie nowadays. Their songs are anthems and mini-epics, and always take your breath away. Try to dig up their old stuff, which can sometimes be discouraging to search for. But, you find anything from them, you will not be disappointed. The best place to start is "Return of the Roughnecks:The Best of The Chameleons". Released a few years back, it gives you insight on this great band. Right now they just released an independent acoustic album, but they intend to continue. Their site is www.thechameleons.com. Honestly, I'd rather listen to them than The Cure.

From there, you should search through the links, and also visit www.4ad.com and www.bellaunion.com. In this day of imtemized corporate music, their is another indie revolution going on. Where the 90s pointed towards they buying and selling of rock, this decade seems to point towards another indie revolution. Listen to college radio, and search mp3 sites. There will be another 4AD, Sub Pop, and Rough Trade. There will be bands that will achieve the mass celebration like The Pixies or The Smiths. Go find them. And, remember, just because a band disappears doesn't mean they broke up. They may have gone indie. Cases in point, The Ocean Blue, The Innocence Mission, XTC.

Good luck.

[Karen]

You may like COLDPLAY, I love their new single YELLOW.

[hold on to your fred]

try
ACTIONSLACKS, AGENTS OF CHANGE, CIGAR, THE BOXERS, EL VEZ, MAKE UP, AZTEC CAMERA, THE SHIELA DIVINE, THE CLIENTELE




pashernate place

[Mani]

>THE SHIELA DIVINE

Those guys, I really like. They opened for the Manics last summer, and they really impressed me. I think they opened for Morrissey on his East Coast leg. There are no gimmicks to their sound. Just straight ahead, excellent songwriting.