Every year San Francisco unleashes a break out band on the indie music scene. Last year it was Girls, the year before that, The Dodos. This year I’m putting my bets on The Morning Benders. The Berkeley-based group are getting ready to release their next album, Big Echo, on March 9th and boy do I like the direction they’ve headed with their sound. The album’s opening track, “Excuses”, has a bit of a throwback sound to 50s du wop. Very symphonic, harmonious and just lovely. Check it out.
J’adore Le Temper Trap. Really, I do. And it was as much of a surprise to me as it probably is to you. For one, I typically loathe male falsetto vocals. I don’t know why, I just do. But The Temper Trap is different and the sole exception in this category. Lead singer Dougie Mandagi’s falsetto voice is beyond comparison and in a realm unto it’s own. Their debut LP, Conditions, has ruled my airwaves for many months now. And finally, the Melbourne-based band that has won over Europe and Australia is headed our way. They are scheduled to play San Francisco’s The Fillmore on March 12. I suggest you get tickets and see fame in the making.
The Flaming Lips covering Pink Floyd’s “On the Run” (feat Henry Rollins) –
Welcome to the first edition of The OCMD Cribs – an inside look at the weird and eccentric lives of our favorite indie rock stars. And who better to fit that bill than Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips. He’s been in good form lately, caught on Google Street Maps in a bathtub in his front lawn recently. And now the unveiling of his renovated Gaudi-esque, psychedelic compound in Oklahoma, as reported by Gizmodo (via @epicureanzealot). I can just picture Wayne lounging in his signature white three piece suit here, can’t you? For more pics of the project, visit Fitzsimmons Architects.
Most rock stars fall into the ‘eccentric’ category and all seem to get more so with age. The great thing about Wayne is he get crazier in an endearing and playful way. The rest of them just get weirder and creepier. Prince? Weird. Michael Jackson? Creepy. You get my drift. Anyway, I’m kinda liking this thread. Look for more in the future.
Do you like shoegaze? Or perhaps feeling a bit nostalgic for the 90s? Look no further than Dublin-based, Butterfly Explosion, who’s debut album “Lost Trails” is out now digitally. The group is venturing to our shores next month for a handful of performances, including an appearance at SXSW. Look for them at the Bands from Ireland showcase at B.D Rileys on March 19.
Okay, really. I never ceased to be amazed at the sheer brilliance of our city’s very own cadre of bedroom rockers. Just take a listen to this one man act, Doc Matthews, calling himself Numbers Game. A recent transplant from Detroit, he now calls San Francisco home and recorded this track in his bedroom…of course. And if that’s not impressive enough, check out his video for the song “Love Dreams Love.” All DIY by Doc himself. I love his early 80s throwback sound.
San Francisco synth rockers, Maus Haus, are poised to break out. They’re already climbing the charts at CMJ and now they’re set to kick off this year’s Noise Pop festival at The Mezzanine with the likes of My First Earthquake, !!! and Sugar & Gold. The band will be unleashing their new 7 inch the same night (that sounds kind of perverted, doesn’t it?) featuring the tracks “Winter” and “Zig Zag”. Consider yourself informed.
A beautifully executed video from the folks at Yours Truly. And an amazing new tune by our very own The Morning Benders from their upcoming album Big Echo featuring the who’s who of San Francisco musicians. Kumbaya, SF!
the OCMD 