http://www.thegeekcouch.com Music. Movies. Random Geekdom. Wed, 28 May 2014 13:27:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.10 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/2014/03/03/music-review-arliss-nancy-wild-american-runners/ http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2014/03/03/music-review-arliss-nancy-wild-american-runners/#comments Tue, 04 Mar 2014 04:47:51 +0000 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/?p=10085 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2014/03/03/music-review-arliss-nancy-wild-american-runners/feed/ 0 Arliss Nancy,Black Numbers,Cory Call,Drive-By Truckers,Kyle Oppold,Lucero,The Gaslight Anthem,The Hold Steady,The Replacements,Wild American Runner Artist: Arliss Nancy Album: Wild American Runner Label: Black Numbers Release Date: Out Now - Vinyl / Digital RIYL: Drive-By Truckers, Lucero, The Replacements, The Hold Steady, The Gaslight Anthem ★★★★½ - Artist: Arliss Nancy Album: Wild American Runner Label: Black Numbers Release Date: Out Now - Vinyl / Digital RIYL: Drive-By Truckers, Lucero, The Replacements, The Hold Steady, The Gaslight Anthem ★★★★½ I've always felt that if an album can garner the feel of a live performance then that album is guaranteed to age incredibly well. Artists like Bruce Springsteen, Paul Westerberg, even Bad Religion and Pennywise have all accomplished a sense of timelessness with each album. Arliss Nancy blends Americana, Country and a dash of punk together into an enticing listen with their third studio album Wild American Runners. Whether you're driving down an old highway, out on the porch drinking and smoking or just spinning the record with headphones on, Arliss Nancy feels like a band already weathered from the road. Each song conjures up a smokey bar and whiskey soaked booths. Formed in 2007 by singer-songwriter Cory Call, Arliss Nancy has 6 years, 3 full length albums and 2 EPs under their belt. They can still be considered a fairly young band but Wild American Runner is mature and polished. Cory's rough voice is remnant of Springsteen with some Westerberg thrown in for good measure, a perfectly imperfect touch that compliments the music. Call is joined in the songwriting tasks by bassist Kyle Oppold. Together with the rest the band, they've filled an album with dust covered anthems that will stick with  you warranting a few more listens as you cruise down the road. If you're looking for a consistently good blend of Americana and Punk then Arliss Nancy is your jam. Gravely vocals over solid songwriting and some memorable hooks, Wild American Runner will be spinning in my record player for quite some time. Worth checking out. Sean C. Duregger no 6:45 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