So remember that post where I was bashing shoegaze bands from LA. Heres one that is pretty good. They sent me their new EP, Sometimes They Collide, gave it a listen and was quite surprised. The Hectors have all the shoegaze elements correct, except the vocals which are recorded in a pop manor which could be good or bad. For me personally I really wanted to here some dreamy shoegaze vocals but you can’t always get what you want. I do enjoy the powerful instrumentals. Anyway, they are worth checking out. They are playing a FREE show tomorrow in Hollywood, so if you are in the area come on down!

The Hectors-Proof For Sale

Myspace
Official Band Website

So I have been following these guys since the start. It all started when that asshole bass player John didn’t want to play a show with my old band at Bill’s house in Mid-City. Anyway in this post I am going to review their first Self-titled full length release “HEALTH”. Just being up front I am not posting this because I am their friend, this is just my honest asshole opinion.
The best way to describe this album as said before is My Bloody Valentine meets Steve Albini and gets stuck in Jurassic Park. It’s like nothing you have ever heard before. The album is full of dreamy, but heavy hard hitting rhythmatic songs with the occasional weird noise hear and there. Maybe they sampled a dinosaur or they just made up the sound with the 983472986729837567923865205723048203857 pedals they use. Anyway it’s something great that rock music needed. While everyone out here is caught up with some bullshit gimmick ,scene, disco beat, playing boring subpar music but adding in a chick in the band to excuse the excess suck, having people call themselves DJs when all they know how to do is press play on their macbook and iPods, HEALTH’s album gives LA some serious street cred. Even better it does capture their sound as if they are playing live. After seeing the guys many times and hearing the CD I would say it’s pretty on the ball. All they really needed to do is capture their incredible live sound on CD. They sure as hell did that. My suggestion: buy the CD and see them live. Buy some depends because you may shit in your pants.

Here are two tracks off the new album. Enjoy!
HEALTH-Crimewave
HEALTH-Heaven

HEALTH myspace

So I recently got into these awesome girls from South Bronx called ESG. So funky, so minimal, and so awesome. The drummer even got $13000 worth of Fraud slapped on her for claiming workers comp. injuries then going on tour to play. As you can tell she ain’t hurting. It’s impossible to find their stuff on CD and original pressings on vinyl. Repress is pretty easy. But here is a video from youtube that lets you know what they are all about. Don’t even bother searching for ESG on myspace music. All you will find is about 79 different really bad rappers with that same name and the occasional Brazilian metal band.

So here is a band that has been around for a bit and still does not get the credit they deserve. I breaks my heart when people pump up shitty artists such as Young Love or the Bloc Party and everyone swallows it up. Anyway Glass Candy is a Portland based duo.(yes I am typically against duos especially when it’s a couple). They incoporate some of the grooviest beats, thickest basslines, sexiest vocals, and catchiest synth work around. I think the easiest way to go about talking about this band is the old fashion list. Here are the reasons why Glass Candy is UnderRated:

1. IDA is one of the few female vocalists out there who can really sing and yet somehow not be an attention whore and try to make the project about herself.
2. Johnny Jewel’s drum programming is awesome. One of the few guys in music who does use the element correctly and does not try and replace a drum set with it.
3. SELF-PRODUCED
4. They make straight white men dance.
5. Their shows are $5 mostly
6. IDA and Johnny are both hot. (Uncle Alex is featured in the Glass Candy film saying how he wants to jump Johnny’s bones)
7. They use external hardware live not a Mac to make most of the sounds.
8. Great to listen to drunk at 3:30 am in the morning
9. Big by word of mouth
10. THE MUSIC IS DAMN GOOD

Things I hate about Glass Candy:
1. Their 7inchs almost impossible to find.
2. PUT OUT A FUCKING FULL LP AGAIN FOR GOD SAKE! YOU ARE NOT THAT INDIE!

IKO Live at the Echo in Los Angeles with drummer

Life after Sundown Live at the Echo in Los Angeles with drummer

Glass Candy-Myspace

Also you can get all the rare Glass Candy songs that were on tour CDs or 7inch HERE Just goto the section called Death Disco