Alternative Rock
As we waddle our way through the middle months of winter a gradual transition is made and my musical ears draw inspiration through bands influenced by the nostalgic alternative rock scene of the 90’s. And although it seems to be a rising trend in bands regardless, I feel that some of the best times to enjoy the more “moody” and emotion driven styles of rock is when chirping birds fly south, broads and boys bundle up and the coffee you make every morning is means to more than just waking with Folgers in your cup.
Below are a few tracks by newer artists I felt matched the representational spectrum of alt rock and the progression it has made since the early 90’s. – Styles ranging from hard rock legends like the Deftones to dream pop innovators Mazzy Star. Running your snotty nose though this collection of talented groups could brighten a hazy cloud-covered day.
Happy Diving
Happy Diving is a 4 piece rock band from the raider nation that is what I might call a guitar/vocal led band. The group offers a driving sound backed with heavier guitars that utilize a bunch of feedback and reverb and vocals baritone vocals. Mix and matched with a punk-paced Weezer, HD is signed to Father/Daughter Records and TOPSHELF RECORDS you can find more of there material via the bands bandcamp.
Happy Diving – Mikey’s Rules
Quell
Tyler Richardson started Quell as a solo project in the dead of an Oregon winter and ended up expanding to a crew of two in order to complete the Quell dream. -Steering away from the stereotypical grouping of alternative rock and nailing shoegaze almost quite directly in the face, Quell provides dissonant and soothing vocals with plenty of guitar wailing and a solid backline of drums and bass provided by Hakeem Hashash.
Quell – Drown
The Death Of Pop
Go grab your girlfriend. This group will have you swooning over anything majestic. The Death Of Pop is what you’d get if you were high on LSD and you walked in on Marc Demarco gettin’ it on with a unicorn-llama pegasus. Its strangely soothing in an unsettling way. The Death Of Pop consist of brothers Angus James, Oliver James, Thom James, and cousins Isaac Jones and George Abram. If you’re into jizz-jazzy these blokes are already right up your alley. You can find many of their songs on the bands soundcloud page.
The Death Of Pop – Gardens
[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qb218pxGbKI’]
Crime Lab.
Theres enough crime to go around. And definately enough Crime Lab for us all. These guys hail from Albuquerque and have been mixing criminal masterpieces in the growing comeback of the alternative rock scene. The group includes Oskar Petersen (vocals/guitar), Jameson Ray (drums), Joshua Prigge (bass/vocals) and Julian Sanchez (guitar/vocals). The groups debut album “Ya’ll Need Jesus 422-2” hits the head like a drag queen on the crack pipe. Producing bass heavy guitar riffs and expressive lyrics Crime Lab is sure to turn more heads than they already have in the coming year. Keep up with the crime and slime via the bands facebook as they plan to record their sophomore release in the San Fransico with the prestigious Jack Shirley
Crime Lab – Orange County
Infinity Girl
Dreamy as the come. Infinity Girl is just that. For any gazer who is looking for the ambient emotional piece, the groups most recent album Harm does not disappoint.
Brooklyn-based but formed out of Boston Nolan Eley, Kyle Oppenheimer, Mitchell Stewart, Sebastian Modak create a bassy fuzz mix with pop inspired drumming and dueling guitars. Their most recent release Harm can be purchased on 12″ vinyl or streamed in its glitzy dream entirety via TOPSHELF RECORDS. If youre into The Pixes or Yuck this will be gold to you ears.
Infinity Girl – Not Man
Mumrunner
Mumrunner is a well put together 4 piece band reaching our ears yonder the big blue. Signed to Soliti Music, Finnish fuzz-gazers Kati, Sauli, Juuso, and Jukka have been curating an almost “motorik” punk-pop sound thats firmly grounded with shoegaze roots. Since their latest EP release “Full Blossom”, Mumrunner has been staying busy playing shows in their local Tampere area and recording material for a new EP -hopefully to be released late spring. If you like what you hear look here to purchase a 12″ vinyl or other merch and on the groups bandcamp for digital releases. Check out Mumrunners’ track “Full Blosoom” below.
Mumrunner – Full Blossom
