Ah, right -
...Well, as a member of an "underground"-band myself, I have recently started to think about how many good, but unsigned bands there actually are out there - Bands that have no fat record contract or any sleazy manager.
Just in my local area where I live, there are several extremely talented and good bands that definately deserves some more attention, and I can imagine that there's a lot more of them around in the world...
Now, I thought that I could just place some links and descriptions to some of my favourite bands around here, and then if anyone feels like doing something similar... Hey presto - Write it here. If you feel like it, that is.
DYsDaIN (http://www.dysdain.com/)
Perhaps nothing for those not interested in the more extreme metal-scene, but for people who are, this band is something above the rest.
Wierd, downtuned and technical riffs stands as a solid background for their two singers, one doing a more "traditional" death metal-growl, and the second one doing more high-pitched screams and also some "clean" vocals. Just to hear that odd contrast on tracks like "You vs. Me", "Armaghetto" and my favourite one - "Dread" - makes my day.
Go download their songs or buy their demo, becuase it's absolutely worth it.
And just to add a last comment - Possibly one of the best live-band I've ever seen as well. Pure Rock Fury, if i ever saw it...
The Grand Opening (http://www.tgomusic.com/)
And perhaps the total opposite of above mentioned Dysdain, we have The Grand Opening, a band who plays soft, melancolic pop/rock with vibes from both Red House Painters, Pedro The Lion and Neil Young. Personally I'm more fond of their older, quieter material, but new songs like "A Pair of Shoes" are also great. Check them out.
Volcanic (http://www.volcanic.cjb.net/)
With sludgy riffs taken right out of the book of desert rockers Kyuss, Volcanic is a cool Stoner Rock-band that should please anyone interested in hard rock of the 70's with a bit of psychadelica in it...
Hollowhead (http://www.hollowhead.com/)
Now we're talking pure, agressive metal with a huge influence from Slayer among others, and with some very political lyrics. I still think they could use a better singer, but they are a very promising band none the less.
The High-Heeled Honeys (http://www.high-heeled-honeys.tk/)
60's Rock meets 70's Punk? Yep, I think that's the best way of descibing HHH - With only two members and a limited number of chords they rock on, furiously and with the energy of a rabid bulldozer gone berzerk - But not without losing the sense of melody.
Kickass, to say the least.
Well, there - Wasn't that nice?
Now start supporting your local bands! Yarr.
Theres a really good rock group here called the Philly Fake Outs. I'll look around, maybe they have a website...
Israeli bands for your enjoyment:
Reeds (http://www.mp3.com/reeds), a sort of punk-ish band, they're pretty good.
Useless ID a pretty famous pop-punk band (they're on www.kungfurecords.com).
Erm, DPA (http://www.mp3.com/dpa) a hardcore-punk band.
Betzefer (http://www.mp3.com/betzefer) a metal-ish band (and a pretty damn good one, too).
I'll post more later when I remember them.
EDIT: OF COURSE! How could I forget my favourite Israeli band Mutant John (http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/280/mutant_john.html)???
Good ol' indie!
ANOTHER EDIT:
The Astroglides (http://www.fastmusic.co.il/htmleng/artists/astroglides.htm) an amazingly good surfcore/hardcore band. Worth checking out.
There's an excellent indie band from my hometown of San Diego, California called The Black Heart Procession (http://www.blackheartprocession.com/); their latest album Amore del Tropico is absolutely brilliant and fast becoming one of my favorites of all time.
Also, a practically unknown yet rocking band called The Cheat (http://www.thecheat.net/) (named after the H*R character but having nothing whatsoever to do with HR.com) hails from my current home of Berkeley, CA.
EDIT: Oh yeah, and I'm a member of a so-called "underground" band as well, so, yeah, support local musicians!
Remixor: You grew up in San Diego? I grew up in Orange County & frequently liked listening kioz when I was on road trip to SD. Sadly a rock station in OC was replaced by a spanish station which had no intention of playing rock :(
Holy poop Remixor, The Cheat is pretty goddamn awesome!
I can't find any song by The Black Heart Procession, though.
Do you have any idea where I can find some?
Quote from: Highwaygal on Thu 25/09/2003 06:30:50
Holy poop Remixor, The Cheat is pretty goddamn awesome!
I can't find any song by The Black Heart Procession, though.
Do you have any idea where I can find some?
Wow, I'm really impressed that you actually checked The Cheat out. You're probably just about their only non-California fan. What songs did you like? I thought "The Irk" is particularly bad ass.
I would think that Black Heart Procession should be not TOO hard to find, although I'm not really sure since I just buy their albums. Try searching for "Tropics of Love"--I just searched for "black heart procession tropics of love" on Kazaa and didn't have any problems, and it's one of their best songs. Also, "Did You Wonder" is their big song they're trying to push. It's one of their more "conventional" ones.
And Moresco: Yeah, I lived in SD since I was 6 or 7 or so. I didn't get to OC much but I do know that by the time I left SD I had stopped listening to the radio altogether. I from my friends back there that the new 94.9 is excellent though.
Well Remixor I downloaded "Pass it on", "The Irk" and "You don't love her", so far my favourite is "Pass it on", great song.
I also downloaded two Black Heart Procession songs, also incredibley awesome ^-^
Edit: Hey, that's not the smiley I wanted!
Nice, nice. Wooo, I've added to someone's musical listening repetoire! I still can't believe I got you into The Cheat. I am very proud of myself.
Phlargh, I'm not letting this one die.
POST YOUR LOCAL BANDS!
NOW!
When I lived in boston, I discovered there is more local talent then there is signed talent. Way too many bands to list, and that was back in 1995.
C.
Ok, just to be a bumper and to "keep the underground movement alive" - I'll add Gravelgrinder (http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/467/gravelgrinder.html/) to the list - If you found Dysdain a bit extreme, these guys'll probabaly make you puke.
Fast and uncompromizeing Grindcore/Death Metal-band consisting of only two members...
(If you are swedish, listen to "Vinterdikt" and try to hear the lyrics... You might find it quite amusing...)
Any more local talents you want to put in the spotlight?
- Write 'em here, folks.
remix0r - I downloaded the Cheat's stuff ... it's pretty darn good. I love the 'local band' sound. I like when bands sound the way they want to sound rather than the way the record labels tell them to sound.
There is a band I love (in Michigan) called The Killer Flamingos (http://www.killerflamingos.com). They have some orginal stuff (they do have a CD out) but their live shows is mostly 80's covers. I had a HUGE crush on Michelle (the lead singer). Man can that chick sing!! She's got a great voice!
Whirling Road (another Michigan band) was awesome. But they broke up because the lead singer was a jerk that nobody could get along with. I wish their site was still up 'cause these guys were awesome. I've got two of their songs available for dl if you're at all interested:
Whirling Road - Whispering the Words (http://www.twin-design.com/random/wr-whispering-the-words.mp3)
Whirling Road - Die (http://www.twin-design.com/random/wr-die.mp3)
Abruzi Drive was also awesome but, like Whirling Road, couldn't get along and broke up.
I still listen to their music on a very regular basis!
Also, funny story, I travel alot and one time (I can't for the life of me remember where I was (I think Boston)) but I saw Jason M'raz in some small venue. Just look at him now. I remember thinking (when I saw him) that he would make it someday. Same with Nora Jones, and the band Live.
Oh man, I can't wait to tell the guys in The Cheat they now have listeners in Florida and Israel...
We've mostly got metal bands around my area, and they all get me to do cover art for them.
There is a punk band called Plus Guy, and the lead singer is bloody great (not to mention extremely hot). Named themselves Plus Guy because it's three chicks plus a guy. :)
Well, my friend was in a band called Overflow about 5 years ago, but then he quit that band and joined onto a little band called Good Charlotte.