For Fans of: Sleater Kinney, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ida Maria
Why you should check them out:
The stunningly aggressive Demander is creating a riotous following with their exceptionally moody and gritty new tracks. Their abrasive punk rock, strong female vocals, and indulgent indie metal have made them a venerable force to be reckoned with.
Background Check:
Singer/bassist Karen Correa and drummer Sivan Harlap were playing together in New York’s the Hissyfits when they first decided to venture out on their own. While opening for acts across the nation had introduced them to music’s manic lifestyle, their current lineup wasn’t quite enough. With a shared desire to make music that was a little rougher around the edges, they formed Demander in 2004 with guitarist Jared Scott, quickly unleashing brash and raucous battle cries amidst chaotically searing punk rock dissonance.Their debut full length, The Unkindness of Ravens, is a smart and tight collection of aggressive jams and darkly themed tones. Their standout single, “Hollis”, features Harlap’s sharply fractured beats, Scott’s screaming guitar cacophony, and Correa’s rumbling bass and dangerously sweet vocals. It was this album that first propelled Demander into supporting posts alongside the Hold Steady and New Model Army, showcasing their playful take on such heavy music. Recently, David Kurutz, who was also Sivan’s old high school pal from California replaced Scott.
After a bout of touring, the band released their Books 7″ in 2008 and have just completed their sophomore LP, Future Brite (release date TBD) which was mixed by luminaries like John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, Screaming Trees) and features guests such as The Hold Steady’s Franz Nicolay.With the early track “Math”, signifying a progressive step towards a new found indie rock lightness and pop punk straightforwardness. Not that Demander is easing up, they’re still packing all of the aggressive punch of the debut. Demander has always been a band on the verge of true breakout status, and Future Brite may be the most aptly titled prediction possible.
For Fans of: Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus and Mary Chain
Why you should check them out:
“Total Sonic Annihilation” is what they promise, and you better beleive that this Brooklyn based trio delivers it. After all, they are not called New York’s loudest band for nothing.
Background Check:
Imagine My Bloody Valentine distortion with the raw sound and monotone vocals of Joy Division, and you might have some insight as to what to expect from these up-and-coming rockers. Armed with guitarist Oliver Akerman’s self made effects pedals (through his company Death By Audio) and a talent for voluminous melodics, A Place to Bury Strangers have been attacking eardrums all over the country for nearly three years since their first EP in 2006.
Maintaining relative success with shows alongside The Jesus and Mary Chain and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the trio’s biggest breakthrough came from a highly positive Pitchfork review of their debut full-length album in 2007, resulting in the first 500 albums selling out instantly. Featuring machine like percision from drummer Jono Mofo and the fierce rhythms of bassist Jay Space, A Place to Bury Strangers are a band continually accelerating through their atmospheric sounds and fierce dance inducing beats. While listening to their self-titled debut on full blast might give you somewhat of an idea what A Place to Bury Strangers are capable of, their live performances are truly a force to be reckond with, just don’t forget the ear plugs.
For Fans of: The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, Talking Heads
Why you should check them out:
Known as of one New York City’s fashionable new bands, The Virgins went from playing a few local shows to premiering alongside Sonic Youth and Patti Smith, becoming one of the most hyped bands of 2008.
Background Check:
Long live pop music, it comes quickly with force, pushing it’s way from mainstream media one catchy little beat at a time. This time the music in question is from the New York quintet The Virgins, a band whos recent media exposure has resulted in a flurry of immediate success and widespread fanfare.
Formed in 2006, The Virgins self released their first EP in 2007, debuting five upbeat tracks that quickly put them on the map. Touring with fellow indie favorites Tapes ‘n Tapes and Tokyo Police Club early on, The Virgins popularity reached new heights when their songs were featured on an episode of Gossip Girl, bringing them to an all new demographic of listeners. While their dance infused pop song “Rich Girls” continued as a Gossip Girl staple, The Virgins returned to the studio to record their debut full length on Atlantic Records. Released June 2008, The Virgins self-titled album features ten tracks chock full of catchy choruses, playful lyrics and pure 80’s nostalgia.
Although frontman Donald Cumming has been writing infectious pop songs for years, The Virgins are a true case of being in the right place at the right time. As new celebrities and models constantly turn up wearing The Virgins band shirts, it’s safe to say that these guys really have it made.