Upon disbanding the Yah Mos, several former members of that Sacramento hardcore band launched !!! (pronounced by repeating any three syllables, with “chik chik chik” being the most common choice) in 1996 in California, playing a fusion of disco and punk that leans on funk. Of the band’s seven original members, three — vocalist Nic…
Iron & Wine is Sam Beam, a college professor from Miami, Florida who plays acoustic guitar and occasional banjo, keeping to a folk tradition while bringing in some country and old-time blues. He whispers his vocals and often sings his own harmony parts. Recorded at home on a four-track, the songs on The Creek Drank…
One of the pre-eminent dancepunk groups of the early 2000s, the Rapture began in California in 1998 when two childhood friends, multi-instrumentalist Luke Jenner and percussionist Vito Roccoforte, joined forces. The solid but unexciting debut, Mirror, reveals Gang of Four and Cure influences; dirty, somewhat sloppy guitar work backed by basic synth parts. The album’s…
Although bands associated with the term “garage” often sound amateurish but energetic, the Von Bondies — participants in the Detroit garage revival of the early ’00s — merit only the latter half of that description, mixing it up with a strong knowledge of punk, R&B and rock’n’roll. True to Motor City rock tradition, the group…
