Archive for the ‘The Brixton Academy’ Category

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The Brixton Academy

December 30, 2010

myspace band of the year

We’ve covered dozens of bands this year on myspace band of the week, but there were a few that got passed over for exceeding awesomeness.  This year’s myspace band of the year goes to The Brixton Academy.

The Brixton Academy named themselves after the concert hall in Britain.  And the British influence is pretty evident in their music.  “Take four lively lads, stick them in a basement club two floors underground in a far flung corner of a sprawling metropolis. Feed them on a diet of 70’s New Wave, pumped up early 80’s New Romantic Electro, and a 90’s hunger for indie Hacienda dance floor guitar rock. Top it off with identical black mop top haircuts then wrap in monochrome vertical stripes and you’ve just about got TBA.”

The first four songs on their myspace come from their debut album Vivid and they range from the club-ready “See You In A Dream” and the crooning love song “Shy Shy.”   The last two “Turn Around” and “Nightclub” come from their EP TBA.  They’re a little less synth-heavy but it’s nice to hear real bass.  No samples of their new EP L.O.T. are available but it’s more along the lines of “See You In A Dream.”  TBA likes to think of themselves as four mysterious dudes, but I think they’ll be “very much known all over the damn place” soon.

Buy TBA releases at CD Japan and Amazon.com.

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Stuff To Look Forward To, November 2010

November 10, 2010

Ah November.  The time of the year when releases begin to trickle down along with my willingness to blog about them.  But there’s still some good stuff coming out

Kimonos- Kimonos

Kimonos is the side project of Leo Imai and the Zazen Boys’ Shutoku Mukai.  The fact that their names rhyme is coincidence.  So far Kimonos have put out two singles.  “Almost Human” has more of a laid back rock sound while “Soundtrack to Murder” is a little out there.  They describe the album as futuristic and nostalgic, a “fitting soundtrack to the manic intensity of Tokyo City.” (myspace)

The Brixton Academy- L.O.T

Spoiler alert!  TBA’s 80s tinged debut album Vivid will probably top my end of the year list.  But it was a bit on the short side so they’ll be releasing this 3-track EP to end the year.  It took a bit of sleuthing to find this as the band still hasn’t “announced” it yet.  Both listings I found list L.O.T. as  a 2-disc release, so I would expect a DVD with a PV or two. (myspace)

noughts and exes- The Start Of Us

Just when I thought I’d never hear this, they posted a bandcamp link on their Facebook last night.  Noughts and exes is a Hong Kong indie-rock band led by Joshua Wong of Whence He Came.  Their sophomore album boasts a new lineup and was produced by Martijn Groeneveld—the same guy who does buddhistson! (myspace)

Detroit Metal City

Amai, Amai, Amai, Amai, ko-i-bi-to. Detroit Metal City is finally available on DVD in the US!  Grab a copy and cuddle up with your sweet sweet lover and a plate of cheese tarts.  DMC is the tale of one Soichi Negishi who longs to create Swedish pop music but spends his nights as the emperor of death metal.  He’s kind of a mental case.  But hilarious!  And yes, that’s Kenichi Matsuyama, the guy that plays L on Death Note.

Buy Kimonos @ CD Japan, Jet Set, Play-Asia

Buy L.O.T. @ CD Japan, Jet Set

Buy The Start Of Us @ bandcamp, their website

Buy Detroit Metal City @ Amazon.com, RightStuf

Secondary Excitement

about tess- Song of the Bird: One of the first bands signed to world’s end girlfriend’s label Virgin Babylon and now their second release.  Song of the Bird is a 74-minute track told in four acts that reveals the journey of a bird.  (myspace) Buy @ CD Japan, Unsupermarket

Crystal Lake- Into The Great Beyond: Does this album have great cover art or what?  (myspace) Buy @ Big Cartel, CD Japan

dustbox- Starbow: Thus marks 10 years of punk rock with dustbox.  Both singles so far have bored me but they can pull an album out of their ass by now.  (myspace) Buy @ CD Japan

Fear, And Loathing In Las Vegas- Dance & Scream:  At this point I think I like them more for their name.  They would be a hit with the Hot Topic crowd.  (myspace)

Kaji Hideki and Riddim Saunter- Teens Film: Hey, it’s the guy who sang “Amai Koibito”!  And he recorded an album with Riddim Saunter!  Buy @ CD Japan

Man With A Mission- Welcome To The New World: MWAM won me over with their awesome wolf masks and their occasionally dancey tunes. (myspace) Buy @ CD Japan

Meaning- Brave New World:  The drummer from Ellegarden joined a hardcore band?  And they want to fuck the world? (myspace) Buy @ CD Japan

Perfume- Ne:  It’s a sad state of affairs when Nakata puts more effort in Perfume than his own group.  Buy @ CD Japan, Play-Asia

sleepy.ab- Kakurenbo: New single…enough said? (myspace) Buy @ CD Japan, Play-Asia

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Posted in about tess, Crystal Lake, Detroit Metal City, dustbox, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Kaji Hideki, Kimonos, Man With A Mission, Meaning, Noughts and Exes, Perfume, riddim saunter, sleepy.ab, Stuff To Look Forward To, The Brixton Academy | 5 Comments »

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 13

February 5, 2010

Welcome to J-Rock Fridays the 13th.  Unfortunately, it didn’t land on Friday the 13th, but at least I didn’t feel compelled to compile another “scary videos” column.  A little less videos this week.  Get used to it.

Turntable Films- “2steps”

This song is so bright and happy.  There’s nothing else I can say.  If you like a little folk in your indie-pop this is your new favorite song of the year.

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Posted in Droog, J-Rock Fridays, OVERHEADKiNG, Peelander-Z, REAL', Stance Punks, Supe, The Brixton Academy, Turntable Films | Leave a Comment »