http://www.thegeekcouch.com Music. Movies. Random Geekdom. Wed, 28 May 2014 13:27:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.11 Fiercely Independent Music. Artist interviews. Hosted by Sean C. Duregger. Sean C. Duregger no Sean C. Duregger [email protected] [email protected] (Sean C. Duregger) Sean C. Duregger Fiercely Independent Music. music, independent, rock, alternative, post rock, interviews, art, culture http://www.thegeekcouch.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/geekcouchbp.png http://www.thegeekcouch.com http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/07/14/bands-you-should-know-belgrade/ http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/07/14/bands-you-should-know-belgrade/#comments Sun, 14 Jul 2013 22:00:02 +0000 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/?p=9828 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/07/14/bands-you-should-know-belgrade/feed/ 0 Adam Arcuragi,Alison Ranger,Appleseed,Belgrade,Catherine Wheel,Ink & Dagger,Jena Berlin,Jersey City,Metroplex,mp3,Nada Surf,New Jersey This band took me by surprise. They were so good, in fact, that even though I had a promo copy of their album, I went out and ordered the LP. - Belgrade is unique to anything out right now, but could be peers to many late 90s and early 2000s post-punk... This band took me by surprise. They were so good, in fact, that even though I had a promo copy of their album, I went out and ordered the LP. Belgrade is unique to anything out right now, but could be peers to many late 90s and early 2000s post-punk bands. Melodic but not pop. There's a rough edge slightly beneath the surface of their music.  If you're a fan of Appleseed Cast or Sunny Day Real Estate, this is right up your alley. Belgrade's self-titled album has been in top rotation on my iPhone, Spotify and in my car since hearing it. At home, it's in my top stack of LPs.  One of my favorites of 2013 so far. BELGRADE (Jersey City, NJ) SELF TITLED (DIGITAL | LP) RIYL: Jealous Sound, Nada Surf, Catherine Wheel, Appleseed Cast, Sunny Day Real Estate With liquid-like intros and outros. Belgrade's fleshy songs are sure to spur a variety of emotions. Daring themselves a slap in the face with the glove of simplicity, Belgrade keep things subversively straightforward. While embracing more than healthy doses of echo, the air between meaty ideas is apparent and fluid. Belgrade offers layers of cycling guitar, nimble bass lines, snappy dynamic drums and floating vocals as they teeter from an understated warm twang to a groaning twisted reverb-fest. Urging you into a heap of head-tossing joy while never letting things fully explode in your face. The name of this game is restraint, boys and girls. Everybody can, and has, played loud and bombastic - but lets see who can best tightrope-walk the wavy line between blissful/breezy melodies and purposeful energetic sharpness. Internal rebellion never sounded so endearing. Let's cloak those catchy pop smarts under blankets of reverberated echoes bounced off last night's full moon - still ringing in the squinty-eyed hangover morning. Let the sound shimmer and swoon forward and back like a chorus for the night time, to be consumed during the day. Anthems to prep us all for that cloudy nocturnal courage. History: Having been called "vintage indie" at times, Belgrade's members bring a seasoned take on melding musical styles and eras, excited with purpose for this new and nostalgic sound. Belgrade is made up of longtime players in the Philadelphia and southern New Jersey regions. Featuring current and former members of bands such as Restorations, Metroplex, Ink & Dagger, The Progress, Jena Berlin, Frail, Adam Arcuragi (band),Ma Jolie, Circle the City, The Deadly, Pots & Pans, Alison Ranger, and more. [source: beartrappr] Sean C. Duregger no http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/07/14/bands-you-should-know-banquets/ http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/07/14/bands-you-should-know-banquets/#comments Sun, 14 Jul 2013 20:30:37 +0000 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/?p=9819 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/07/14/bands-you-should-know-banquets/feed/ 0 Anthem,Bottom Shelf,Brian Maguire,Chris Larsen,Dave Frenson,Hot Rod Circuit,Hot Water Music,Jersey City,New Brunswick,New Jersey,Polar Bear,Polar Bear Club I fell in love with Banquets' self-titled album immediately after hearing it. Originally they were advertised to me as "pop-punk" but even hearing the first measure of music, I knew that wasn't the case. If I had to classify Banquets' sound I'd say New... I fell in love with Banquets' self-titled album immediately after hearing it. Originally they were advertised to me as "pop-punk" but even hearing the first measure of music, I knew that wasn't the case. If I had to classify Banquets' sound I'd say New Found Glory meets The Ataris meets Hot Water Music with a dash of Samiam and a sprinkle of The Gaslight Anthem. Their album is a fantastic balance of hooks, melody and straight up honesty. It's infectious, well written and catchy as hell. Every song. So, do yourself a favor and check this band out. Sample them on Spotify and please support the band by going out to a show, buying their music or their merch. I hope this band is around for a long time. BANQUETS (Jersey City, NJ) SELF TITLED (DIGITAL | CASSETTE | LP) RIYL: The Gaslight Anthem, The Loved Ones, Polar Bear Club, Samiam, Hot Rod Circuit In 2010 a band named after a beer (Banquets) put out a 7" titled with a Lebowski reference (This Is Our Concern, Dude). Yes, Jersey City's Banquets may have started in a humorous manner between friends who just wanted to have fun and play music. But, what the band has blossomed into in a few short years is nothing short of remarkable. Of course, the talent was there all along, you could see it in the strains of those first four songs. Move on to 2011's triumphant LP debut, Top Button, Bottom Shelf, and it was clear to see, Banquets was in fact, the real deal. Now here we stand in 2013, Banquets are set to release their sophomore LP, the aptly Self-Titled album showcases a band firing on all cylinders. Following up their brilliant debut LP, 2011's Top Button, Bottom Shelf, Banquets return with a Self-Titled sophomore effort that continues the band's no filler approach. Much like its predecessor, Self-Titled clocks in at 10 songs under 30 minutes but there is a bit more breathing room here as the band expands and hones their sound. Along with guitarist/vocalist, Dave Frenson and bassist Chris Larsen, the addition of Brian Maguire on drums has been key to the band's growth. Lead singer, Travis Omilian, is the secret weapon though, hiding behind the band's ultra tight melodic pop/punk. There is a worn romanticism and a nostalgic charm to Omilian's lyrics. Combined with the band's dynamic sense of urgency and uplifting spirit, Omilian's lyrics give Banquets a depth that is rare to find in the genre these days. Self-Titled truly encompasses the band's growth into a songwriting tour de force. [source: beartrappr] Sean C. Duregger no