Summer of Hate

Crocodiles are about to swim ashore our fair British isle this weekend with their debut UK gig at the Old Blue Last in London. They're promoting their LP 'Summer of Hate' which hit the shelves back in April. If you haven't heard the San Diego duo's efforts yet, you might like their indie electro take on a Jesus and Mary Chain sound. Their cool raspy lyrics over slow slaggy sun style guitars makes a great listen for a not so happy summer day. Angsty. The LP 'Summer of Hate' is out for your claws in a record shop near you and a large tour list is up on the Crocs' myspace.

Crocodiles – Summer of Hate
Crocodiles – I Wanna Kill

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Tidy

Put Battles away and pick up some speed with Gallops! I saw the four Welsh boys last night supporting the mesmerising Here We Go Magic. They sound nothing like the headline act but were equally as captivating. The math rock, progressive instrumentalists pounded out some tight tracks, all fueled by Dave Morait on drums (amazing drummer btw). I've heard only one recorded track of theirs, but it doesn't seem to capture the energy and force that these lads give out on stage. It's still a cracking track though. I strongly recommend you get yourselves to go see them. See their myspace for a few tour dates. They're onto releasing an EP very soon, so watch this space for more in the future.

Gallops – Lasers
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Sheikh it!

After reading a refreshing and interesting article in Loud and Quiet I was interested in hearing more about Teen Sheikhs. The Brighton three create upbeat, deep fuzz, shoe-gaze indie that packs a bit more punch than the likes of Crystal Stilts. If Wavves covered a Shop Assistants track, you'd be around the right mark. Really into their track 'Cracked' which is posted below. Here's hoping it's on the 7" they plan to release on the brilliant Captured Tracks label. They are also going to feature on the next Sex Beat compilation which are always little winners. Catch the Sheikhs at a few live efforts over the next couple of months.

Teen Sheikhs – Cracked
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Not dead

The Dodos are set to release a new album on August 31st called 'Time To Die'. The three piece from San Francisco will no doubt delight our sound buds with more acoustic wonderment in the same way that 'Visiter' did last year. A heafty promotion tour is already up on their myspace so you can get your mits on some tickets. No leads for forthcoming singles or tracks off the newbie yet, but be sure I'll post something when I can. So here's one off the last album for you...

The Dodos – Fools
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Books books books

The Books are playing a very special gig at London's St Giles-in-the-Fields Church on July 25th. Watch the vid above for a little taster of what to expect from the beautiful folk lead instrumentalists. A link to buy tickets is below to as well as one of my favourite tracks from some time ago.

The Books – Tokyo
Tickets
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Doll for a dollar

The beautiful Fanfarlo are letting us all get our paws on their album 'Reservoir' for a solitary $1. It's worth at least ten times that amount! The London band's beautiful upbeat combination of piano, brass, string, drum and dulcet vocals remind me a bit of Clap your Hands Say Yeah and even a bit of Arcade Fire at points. Amazing album. Get it now, but get it quick! The one dollar offer runs up on 4th July. The band are also cruising the circuits at the moment too. A link to the prize purchase is posted below...

Fanfarlo – I'm a Pilot
Fanfarlo – Finish Line

$1 album link
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Pixel perfect...

Into this track by Dead Pixels called 'So you Say'. It was releases a few weeks back as a B-side on the single 'Words Are Poison'. I think it should have been the A-side. It's a little cracker if you like indie punk electro dance stuff. It's got the bass and beats style from a Yeah Yeah Yeahs track keeping up with Lone Blomhoj on the vocals as she powers it out. The Pixels from London town pack a lot of energy into their work and no doubt their live antics. Be sure to catch them on a few dates up on their myspace. No big releases yet, but they've been workinn on some new material of late, so hopefully they'll pop it all on one format for our ears soon.

Dead Pixels – So You Say
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Royally fucked

A mate put me onto Duchess Says and I'm glad they did. The experimental punk band from Montreal definitely bust out some forceful stuff. If Kap Bambino, Deerhoof and Death from Above had a three-way and spawned a child band, it would probably sound like Duchess Says. Need I say more? All I'll tell you is that they have an album and an EP out that you should have them in your life. Here's one from the hardcore end and one from the softer end...

Duchess Says – Tenen Non Neu
Duchess Says – Black Flag
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¡Hola!

I was exposed to Rosvita last week when they played their debut London show. The trio from Madrid are currently touring their 'Reflux Tour' around Europe right now. If you want to see an energetic, cheeky performance of some interesting experimental post rock instrumentals and minimal lyrics then you should definitely go and see these boys. Some tracks are a bit more Art rock than others, when the drummer sings through a squeeky syth vocoda. But all tracks were captivating and vivacious. They've got a couple of albums out, but you should get yourself down to see them before the tour is out for full effect.

Rosvita – Llévame A Caballito
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Y not...

I've heard one solitary track by YGT and already I know they're something special. The minimal electronic duo comprise of Tom Mclean and Todd Marriot from the late great I Was A Cub Scout. Based in the East Midlands, YGT (from what I've heard) create beautifully subtle and tempered electronica. It reminds me a little of minimal Metronomy during the mid section, but no where near as pop driven. The track might be 8 minutes long, but you miss it when it's over. Very keen to hear what comes out next. They are planning to release a 12" and plan to tour in August. Catch them next week at the Old Blue Last. There are a couple more live dates on their myspace. Happy places are to be found in YGT.

YGT – GROTD
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