It’s with a heavy heart we tell you that These Arms Are Snakes is no more. It’s been a great run and we’d like to send out a very hearty “Thank You” to everyone that we’ve worked with or anyone that we’ve toured with; anyone that lent us a floor, towed our van and / or trailer, lent a van, given us a listen, downloaded our records prior to their coming out, bought our shit, or asked us where our band name came from; everyone who cooked us food, made habanero-infused tequila, had a safety meeting with us, let Steve gyrate all over you, had to live with any of us, made us pay shitloads of money to get off your punk label, got us into LOST, found Steve drunkenly wandering the streets of Tokyo alone, played Madlibs in the van (plural nouns), lost money promoting one of our shows, took Chris to the hospital, put up with our drunken sorry asses, got into a fight with us, etc. etc.
This band could not have been possible without all of you. We sincerely thank you.
I am sitting here trying to think of something clever to say about the experimental pop act Polysics but my mind is blank.
It would be all too easy to say they are the modern day Japanese version of Devo…just look at their outfits. Truth is they are Devo but mixed with some Daft Punk and even some of the more experimental Kraftwerk.
The Japanese new wave, electronic, punk rock act has actually been around since 1997 and started “in the spirit of Devo” according to Hyroyuki Hayashi, the band’s vocalist / guitarist. They even wear Devo-like jump suits with the letter “P” on them. The foursome recently released their tenth album entitled Absolute Polysics on MySpace Records (US Release).
I have only heard a sample of songs but I can tell you that they are a ton of fun and an absolute riot to listen to even if I can not understand all of their lyrics. For you people who like your music weird and of the wall, this is the band for you. To support my statement, both Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips and Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo have raved about Absolute Polysics. That right there proves there is something special about this band.
Next month (Feb 12th) Polysics are making a stop at Musica in Akron, OH and I think it is safe to say that it will be a show not to miss. I myself plan on being there and you should too!
London’s Scanners really can carry a gloomy mood in some of their tracks but without going overboard. The indie rock band has been around for a couple of years now and even if you have never heard of them are a pretty big deal – maybe not so much in the US but I have the feeling that will be changing in the upcoming months. If you were a fan of alt rock in the 90’s as well as have love for new wave this band might be up your alley.
Don’t be held off by this though if you were not a fan of either genre as the band also carries a great melodic talent heard throughout.
Philadelphia electronic jam band The Disco Biscuits (TDB) have always stood out to me as an original act since the day I was introduced to them. I have to admit I was not really into jam bands at the time they were brought to my attention, but thanks to a couple of jam band loving friends I was just intrigued with what I heard. They were indeed a jam band but their addition of electronics into the songs they played (also known as “trance-fusion” captured my attention fully and I was not the only one.
Over the years the band attracted a huge fan base and not only played all over he world from clubs to festivals but has also hosted their own festival known as Camp Bisco.
After my initial taste of TDB I remember immediately going out to pick up a couple of of their albums and even caught them live, twice at the Odeon (RIP) and once at Bonnaroo in 2006. For reasons unknown though I stopped listening to future releases by the band, that is, until now. Recently TDB released Planet Anthem an album that once again will be turning heads of many. This time around the band collaborated for the first time with other producers, songwriters, and musicians to push out a jam album full of indie rock, hip-hop, and electronical awesomeness. I can honestly say this as well – The Disco Biscuits have never sounded better.
Opening up the CD is “Loose Change” a song that was not speaking of extra quarters in your pockets. This song prepared me for the rest of the album with electronic heavy guitar playing and almost old school Daft Punk beats. “On Time” without a doubt will be making it’s way to the dance floors in 2010. This futuristic disco-ish song had me nodding my head in approval throughout. Comparable to something Dirty Vegas might have done this song had all of the elements to make the dance floor move and is best listened to at high volumes.
I felt as if I was listening to Radiohead when “Widgets” started playing especially when the shifting samples started. All I could think of was how similar it was to something that might be found on Kid A or Amnesiac yet the song held it’s own. I really enjoying the repetitious gentle singing that was implanted in my head throughout.
“You and I” was one of my favorite cuts on the album over the rest. Comparable to something The Faint might push out but with TDB flair, the song just overpowered the rest. Hearing this track confirmed that TDB tried something completely different and I must say, I approved.
The experimental jam of sorts “Konkrete” had a Middle Eastern feel techno feel to it. I just could not help but think of the Butthole Surfers during this track. Perhaps it was the monotone singing layered over the thumping bass and electronic noise. “Fish Out Of Water” shifted back to the older TDB I recalled with barely any electronics. WIth a catchy chorus and slick guitar playing the song was a fun jam to sit back and listen to.
The unsuspecting “Sweatbox” was like a Gorillaz meets Gnarls Barkley song on speed. This track was insanity at it’s finest with a mix of hip hop and rock and even some soul added in. I could not get enough of this track nor could I hardly believe TDB had something to do with it as it was completely out of their norm.
Following was “The City”, a more classic TDB singing style song mixed with indie rock. Think Kings Of Leon mixed with Phish…yes it is entirely possible. “Big Wrecking Ball” continued the indie rock feel sans the jam and made for a enjoyable song.
Being one of the first albums I have heard in 2010 I must say I was beyond impressed with what The Disco Biscuits dropped. They made a change in their sound on this album that took almost three years to complete and I personally think it is for the better. By doing so they have created a CD that will be attracting a lot of attention from new fans and old thanks to the array of genres mixed up in Planet Anthem.
