mp3: Twerps "Self Assured"

Black Eyes

Over a year ago I posted a few stunningly melancholic pop tracks from Australia's Twerps. A year later and the group is in the US playing shows. Nice to see these things come together. Anyway, they've got a few 7-inches on the forefront– one on Underwater Peoples, one on OESB, and another on Group Tightener. All of this seems fitting, as last year I remember getting all "I'm obsessed with this. You too?!?!" with all those guys. Something to be said for camaraderie. Anyway, the Twerps are playing their first NYC area show tonight at Glasslands with Family Portrait (Wet Dream lineup), La Big Vic and Chapter Music head Guy Blackman. Peep "Self Assured", which originally appeared on The Report V.II comp and is now featured, in mastered glory, on the UP 7-inch. Word.

7": Alex Bleeker These Days

"Never Going Back to School"
Group Tightener are on point again with their latest release, a fresh 7" from lead Freak and Real Estate low-end commander Alex Bleeker. While it's oft silly to judge a record by its cover, the cover of the These Days says it all. Suburban Freewheelin'. Both fitting and touching, the cover transports the listener to a place where rock and roll myth and ethos are mere everyday realities. The Q104.3 classics that built the foundation for much of what we call rock and roll are so ingrained in our minds that its often hard to look away and think of a world where they didn't exist. It's clear Bleeker's got them on his mind, as he unabashedly, and unironically, channels the spirit that birthed so much of the music we now take for granted. Listening to "These Days" it's clear that Jackson Browne's original, written for Nico, is a fond touch point. {ED Note: however, Bleeker's version of "These Days" is not a cover. It first appeared on the Underwater Peoples Winter comp.} It's a tune we all know and love. It's part of our collective cultural psyche, yet Bleeker finds a path in the tune that's never been explored, choosing to wander around the edge, while subtly highlighting his influences and idols. The end result; a brand new, completely different, but still familiar tune that plays with the idea of turning off/on our audio memory. "Getting By" is similar and works in its "I swear to God I've heard this before" head scratchery. Harnessing the vibe of Grateful Dead's late career hit (and most identifiable song) "Touch of Grey" and driving it down the same roads the Feelies explored while recording The Good Earth. Playful and introspective, the new Group Tightener release finds Bleeker moving away from the no-frills Freaks LP and carving a niche for himself as a songwriter unafraid of tackling sounds and ideas many would think cliche, turning them into feel good anthems for youths who only heard "Touch of Grey" years after Jerry passed.

Pick it up at Group Tightener.

Alex Bleeker- Getting By

show: Beach Fossils, Freaks, Cloud Nothings, Nude Beach

"Journey Through The Past"

As another Saturday night descends upon us, lets head down to the Monster Island Basement, and pretend its our very own fallout shelter. Sort of like that Christopher Walken/Brendan Frasier movie Blast From the Past, sans Alicia Silverstone, and plus a ton of cheap beer and kick ass bands. Y'all are probably already familiar with Beach Fossils and Alex Bleeker and the Freaks, if your not, get acquainted now so you can sing-a-long or at least have the option of doing so. Speaking of sing-a-longs, Cloud Nothings, Cleveland's teenage wonderkids, whose basement pop sensibilities are steeped in anti-cool kid aesthetics. Like most of us, Cloud Nothings have probably spent more than a few nights driving aimlessly around their hometown, looking for something, anything, or nothing, to do. Their return to Brooklyn is especially notable as the last time they played, with Real Estate and Woods, they had the Market moving. Throw in Nude Beach from New Hope, aka Pennsylvania's classic freak outpost, and it's sure to be a blast. Did I mention this is a Chocolate Bobka & Group Tightener Party? Oh, well, it is, so yeah, it's definitely gonna rage. 8pm, $7. Game on.