The Sign Off

So right now, it's 5 minutes to midnight, and I've just now discovered an all new alternative, pop-punk group from Boston, Massachusetts. The Sign Off are a great alternative, pop-punk group that have a new sound for a new decade that's bleeding bad music all over the place. Composed of Mike McGivern (vocals and guitar), Adam Leonard (bass), and Conor McEntee (drums), TSO's indie-rock sound revolves around the traditional power-trio three-piece, but there's something more there. It's not the same old sound that's felt from every new group sprouting up out of Boston, New York or D.C. As unique as Cream was in its time, or Motorhead in its time, The Sign Off brings something new to the table. Perhaps it's the indie-rock voice of McGivern, the Eve 6-like melodies, or the seemingly Sum 41-inspired lyrics. Whatever it is though, I was hooked from the first chords of "Her Ok Tragedy." While the piano, unbelievably, has become an overused instrument today (thanks to sampling and awful pop songs), the few piano chords on "Her Ok Tragedy" combine perfectly with the soothing guitar, the rhythmic bass line, and the easy-going drum beat. The concert continues on TSO's debut EP, Blood in the Alcohol System, with "Revisions," a witty, poppy ballad about life and hardship. On to the title track, "Blood in the Alcohol System." While this one seems to deal with darker sides of the human psyche, that doesn't at all mean it's a bad song. (After all, "Reign in Blood" off Slayer's classic album, Raining Blood, is a heavy metal classic). The EP wraps up (at least for now) with "Maturity." Now, whether or not this track describes the members themselves is not the point. What is, is that it's a new stab at an old idea. But new stabs are always welcome, and this track is just great to listen to. Check these guys out, they're worth the login.

Sounds Like: Sum 41, Yellowcard, Bowling for Soup

Key Tracks from Blood in the Alcohol System: "Her Ok Tragedy," "Revisions," "Blood in the Alcohol System," "Maturity"

Check out The Sign Off at: http://www.unsigned.com/thesignoff and http://www.myspace.com/thesignoff

Behind the BackDrop

So I found this rock three-piece earlier today, and I've been listening to them all day. With melodies as catchy as anything Mayday Parade or All-American Rejects, native Iowans BackDrop give you your daily dose of pop-punk and much more. Made up simply of Landon Boyer (guitar and vocals), Alex Wiese (bass), and Brandon Hanes (drums), BackDrop deliver fresh Boys Like Girls melodies and vocal harmonies with crisp, new, Fall Out Boy-like lyrics. From the opening hooks of "Wish You Were Mine" to the continued driving guitar riffs and drum beats of "Halfway There" and "Almost Over," BackDrop revitalize the pop-punk sound with a new take on the scene. The real jewel, however, may in fact be their acoustic ballad, "Follow Me." I was more than happy already with their electric tracks, but when "Follow Me" came on, all that went through my head was that, maybe not on this first album, but definitely on their next album, these guys could most certainly write something along the lines of Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" or even Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)." I don't know how these guys are able to work so well together, and frankly, I don't care. Everything sounds tight, crisp, new, and just great. Like candy for your ears. If you haven't heard of them, don't worry, I hadn't either. But get yourself up and listen to their stuff. These guys could very well be the next Boys Like Girls band to make themselves an overnight sensation. Iowa will never be the same.

Sounds Like: Boys Like Girls, Mayday Parade, The All-American Rejects

Key Tracks: "Wish You Were Mine," "Halfway There," "Almost Over," "Follow Me"

Check out BackDrop more at: http://www.unsigned.com/backdrop and http://www.myspace.com/backdropband

Life Without Ryan

So these guys are just amazing- pure and simple. A smooth mix of emotional lyrics, easy-going guitar and bass, and a chilled out drum beat, Life Without Ryan is the southern answer to northern jam bands like Phish and Dave Matthews Band. While not a jam band itself, LWR incorporates the easy-going guitar riff and bass line of Matchbox Twenty, Tom Petty, and Dire Straits with the southern drum beat of Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Comprised of Luke Warren (guitar and vocals), Ed Varsalona (guitar and vocals), JD Dick (bass), and James Reynolds (drums and vocals), Life Without Ryan is the chilled out, Sublime-ish sound that would be perfect for a summer day by the pool, or even a day inside while it storms outside. This music is so versatile, I even feel bad trying to label it. The reality is is that it's just such a good mix of alternative rock, jam band, rock, southern rock, and pop rock that it would be a crime to pigeon-hole it in one genre.

One listen to the first song, "All That I've Got," hooked me. With as many hooks as a Matchbox Twenty song, "All That I've Got" could easily garner attention toward the band if it received just one play on the radio. Followed by the tracks "Telescope," "Winona Ryder," and "Something Sweet for Leah," "All That I've Got" kicks off a pretty damn-good EP. Twenty Minutes Late is definitely and EP to check out. (And the small synth section on "Telescope" would make Gary Numan cry because it fits so well in the song). If you haven't heard of these guys, get your ass over to their sites and listen. You'll end up playing their stuff over and over.

Sounds Like: Matchbox Twenty,  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Third Eye Blind

Key Tracks from Twenty Minutes Late: "All That I've Got," "Telescope," "Winona Ryder"

Check out Life Without Ryan at: http://www.unsigned.com/lifewithoutryan, http://www.myspace.com/lifewithoutryan and http://lifewithoutryan.com/

The Avery Dylan Project

Oh my god! These guys are so amazing that the minute I heard them I knew I'd be writing a new entry. A blues/rock trio from right here in Georgia, Athens I think to be precise, The Avery Dylan Project is almost a modern incarnation of Cream. Granted they may not have the same Ginger Baker-style drumming that Cream enjoyed, but listening to these guys, I'm still bewildered how they could possibly still be unsigned. Made up of Avery Dylan on guitar and lead vocals, Clint Swords on bass and vocals, and Mike Strickland on drums and vocals, ADP are truly a modern blues/rock answer to who can come out of the Deep South. While Strickland lays down a hypnotic, almost seductive beat, Swords joins in with an almost hidden, yet invaluable bass line. Dylan, on the other hand, soars high above, with Clapton-esque guitar riffs that make my ears smile and my eyes tear because I haven't heard such an amazing use of blues guitar since I first heard Eric Clapton and Cream for the first time years ago. Would I definitely see these guys live? Yes! Would I sign them if I had my own label? I would sign these guys even if my label was exclusively punk rock and post-grunge. Check them out. The key tracks that I'll list below, listen to ALL of them. The guitar is absolutely SICK!

Sounds Like: The Yardbirds, The Bluesbreakers, Cream, ZZ Top

Key Tracks: "Broken Down," Take Away," That's Ok"

Check out The Avery Dylan Project at: http://www.unsigned.com/averydylanproject and http://www.myspace.com/averydylanproject

Avision Red

Considered the best kept secret of Boulder, Colorado, Avision Red, is a fantastic mix of hard rock technique, progressive prowess and alternative vocals. Consisting of David (vocals and guitar), Josh (guitar), DJ, (bass), and Shawn (drums), Avision Red blends smooth, melodic vocals with raw guitar riffs and interesting stylistic drumming that reminds of Roger Taylor of Queen and possibly even Keith Moon of The Who. David's and Josh's guitar licks interplay perfectly like that of Phil Collin and the late Steve Clark of Def Leppard. And DJ's bass sounds like that almost taken from Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. I listened to their first song, "Dead to the Last," and immediately decided I had to hear their other, "Every Promise a Person." Just when it seems Shawn's crazy, Keith Moon-style drumming threatens to throw the song of its heels, DJ's bass line, Josh's guitar, and David's vocals bring it all back to an exciting and anthemic chorus with a strong riff, feeding into a frenzied solo. If you haven't heard these guys, put it at the top of your to-do list. Colorado's best kept secret, and possibly the state's new contribution to hard rock, Avision Red, are not to be ignored.

Sounds Like: Def Leppard, Sonic Youth, Queen

Key Tracks: "Dead to the Last," "Every Promise a Person"

Check out Avision Red at: http://www.unsigned.com/avisionred and http://www.myspace.com/avisionredmusic  

August Redemption

I came across these guys completely by accident, but August Redemption has rekindled my faith in underground rock. A surreal mix of metal, alternative and grunge, August Redemption mixes piercing lyrics with serene guitar riffs, and melodic drumming. Comprised of David Randle (vocals), Luke Bishop (guitar), Glen Jenkinson (guitar), Gavin Arnol (bass), and Emonn Sheehan (drums), the hard rock quintet delivers an almost new wave Doors/Jefferson Airplane sound mixed with the slow pace of Nirvana's "Something in the Way" and the guitar licks of Alice in Chains' "Down in a Hole."

I was reading the band's page and thinking I would skip on to the next group, until the music player loaded, and "Curse" started playing. I was hooked. The surreal motion of the song almost had me swaying as it moved to the next song, "Tales of a Broken Heart," and then I was motionless. Speechless. It was almost as if the underground sound that came out of Seattle that I'd fallen in love with had migrated to Australia, the band's home country. If you haven't heard them yet, get on it. Their site will be below. Listen to their debut EP, Liquid Courage. It's a new sound for a new decade. 

Sounds Like: Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Mudhoney

Key Tracks from Liquid Courage: "Curse," "Tales of a Broken Heart"

Check out August Redemption at: http://www.unsigned.com/augustredemption and http://www.myspace.com/augustredemption

Sonic Boom

Two words: they're back. It's been three years since Sonic Youth's last studio album, Rather Ripped, and since then they've been busy, busy, busy. But now they're back, with a new label, a new member, and a new album. Sonic Youth's The Eternal debuted in June 2009, and features a new member to the group, Mark Ibold (bass). The other four founders are still there and going strong, Thurston Moore (guitar and vocals), Kim Gordon (guitar, bass and vocals), Lee Ranaldo (guitar and vocals) and Steve Shelley (drums).

After a nine album history with Geffen since 1990's Goo, Sonic Youth has decided to release The Eternal on a fresh new label, Matador Records. The new album includes 12 new tracks and continues with the SY tradition of pounding bass, distorted guitars, and tight drums. If you haven't heard the new record yet, I suggest picking it up. I haven't listened to it enough yet to give you any key tracks I love more than the rest, but I will say this record is something to get excited about. The Eternal, Sonic Youth's answer the the year 2009. Check it out.

Sounds Like: Pixies, The Breeders