On a recent day off, I took my wife’s truck in for a transmission flush. While checking in, the service guy neglected to mention that the entire staff took a whole hour off for lunch, which started about ten minutes after I arrived. In other words, I had serious time on my hands. I flipped through an issue of Spin, then Scientific American, People, Jet, Field and Stream and Redbook before returning to the single copy of Spin because, why not? What else was I going to do? Upon this closer, maybe even desperate inspection of the issue, I noticed a blurb on Montreal that mentioned The Dears, and they sounded pretty cool. Little did I know that a random collection of their MP3s, gathered off a smattering of label websites, would reflect my experiences at the auto shop so perfectly. There’s the smoldering righteous indignation of “Summer of Protest,” the hope and determination of “We Can Have It,” the bitter loss of said hope in “Heartless Romantic,” and finally, the goofy, bouncy happiness of “Corduroy Boy,” also known (in my mind) as “Yeah, I Got the Damn Truck Back!”
The Hentchmen
The Hentchmen seem like they’ve been on the Detroit garage-rock scene forever, and in band-years, they have. Twelve years or so as a butt-shaking rock and roll trio must equal about sixty years in real-person life. Anyway, age sure doesn’t slow them down on Form Follows Function, their recent ’60s rock-flavored release. Check out “Love” for a little of the nth degree.
The Same Fate
I like to look at local bands for 3hive, and usually that means Detroit acts. The Same Fate are even more local than that; guitar player Joe used to sleep in the back of my Creative Writing class a few years ago. He’s spent his time since wisely, skipping classes at the University of Michigan, playing gigs for ten people, and crafting gems like “The Last Flight of the Fireflies,” the most frequently played track on the family iPod.
Actionslacks
This last week, Tim Scanlin, Actionslacks singer/guitarist, sneaks into my office like Peter Parker pimping photographs to the Daily Bugle. Rock ‘N’ Roll undercover. Not only did his visit remind me to pull out his records, (their latest, Full Upright Position, has woefully flown way below the radar), he also admonished me to dive into the various projects of Craig Finn. Suffice it to say, on and off stage, Tim’s doing his best to ensure you hear “the bands that can save your life.” As for what his band sounds like, Tim said the most interesting comparison he’s heard is Peter Murphy singing for Cheap Trick. Download and decide.
The Glass
The Glass take all that’s good from the last decade of indie music and work into their soundscapes the qualities of Memphis, Tennessee: slow, easygoing, polite (to your face), good food, good friends. Like a still day in the summer heat, where Ol’ Man River, the Mighty Mississippi, is as smooth as glass.
Channels
Shan is getting married, right? (Sure it’s in June, but hey, let’s start celebrating now!) According to Webster’s, a chivaree is a noisy mock serenade to a newly married couple, made by banging pans and kettles. It’s also this tight new track from Channels, another project featuring Jawbox frontman J. Robbins. So there you go. Happy wedding, Shan!
Yo La Tengo
I have it! Yo La Tengo!
Deadstring Brothers
My friend Aram suggested the Deadstring Brothers for 3hive, and I think I know why. You see, Aram knows the oeuvre of Bob Dylan the way the rest of us know our birthday or the alphabet. I think, in the roots rock of the Deadstring Brothers, he hears a little tribute to Bob, or at least a recognition of the work of Bob’s son Jakob and his band, The Wallflowers. On the other hand, maybe he just thinks they’re a decent band. Either way, enjoy that pedal steel guitar slide in “27 Hours,” and thanks, Aram!
The Insomniacs
Many years ago Sean introduced me to The Three O’Clock, a mod-influenced power pop trio who were strong in the music but displayed a common shortcoming of mod bands: the lyrics were just stupid. “Jet Fighter Man/that’s what I am/cause tanks go too slow.” That’s actually my favorite song by them, but I mean, come on. The Insomniacs are another mod-influenced power pop trio who I turn to when I miss one of my favorite all-time bands, the early ’90s British mod-influenced power pop trio Five Thirty. (I recently had the priviledge of introducing Sean to Five Thirty, a little quid pro quo.) The Insomniacs have almost got it all: bass-shaking snarling (in the mod sense of the word) guitars, tight Small Faces harmonies, enough hooks to knock out Pete Townshend, and a singer whose voice makes him a dead ringer for the singer of Five Thirty. Let’s just not discuss the lyrics.
Low
Over seven albums, Low have collected praise and fans from all over the world. Their sound has grown and expanded, from the gentle stillness of I Could Live in Hope to the strong melodies and warm harmonies of Things We Lost in the Fire, and from the pure genius of their cover of Joy Division’s “Transmission” to proving they can make some noise with best of ’em on “Monkey” from their Subpop debut, The Great Destroyer. Simply one of the best bands out there. Enjoy.
Note: Their wonderful ode to the Misfits that was previously featured on 3hive is no longer available from their revamped website. It’s time to start a letter writing campaign to get it back!