Filed under: Aural Pleasure, Hard News, Interviews, indie | Tags: anathello, andrew dost, chris spofford, fun., indiegasm, jack antonoff, nate ruess, november 15 2009, soma san diego, steel train, the format, wnyo
The Soma in San Diego, CA.
When I name the band “fun“, does that ring a bell? Nate Ruess sound familiar? What about The Format? OK, if that raised your brow (or even if it didn’t), you should invest some time into fun.. 
Nate, formerly of The Format, Jack Antonoff from Steel Train, and Andrew Dost from Anathello joined forces to release “Aim and Ignite” on August 25th of this year. What’s offered here is similar to what you heard in “Dog Problems”, the last album released by The Format. I certainly had high expectations for “Aim and Ignite” before it’s release and I’m very pleased with the turnout. The indie-pop flavor should leave you with a smile at the end of every song.
The guys have been on several tours since late 2008 promoting the group just to get their name out there, playing the few originals they had back then and covering some numbers from The Format. Tonight happened to be the last night of their tour with Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, and it ended on a good note I might add! After tonight, they’ll be taking a nice break until February when they get back on the road with Jack’s Mannequin.
Before the show, I had the honor of meeting up with Nate for an interview that I was particularly excited about. For your aural pleasure, yet again, I have recorded the interview.
I do recommend that you either go to http://www.myspace.com/fun or http://www.ournameisfun.com where you can listen to a few of the tracks off of the new album or even purchase and download the album itself.
Photo by Brad MacDonald
I really must say, Nate is a super cool dude. It’s musicians like him that are so refreshing in the world of music because he is human just like you and I. Nate does exactly what makes him happy and it’s a win-win for everyone involved. Another true inspiration to all musicians out there.
-Spoff
Filed under: Aural Pleasure, Sweet Releases | Tags: album download, indie, indiegasm, Sherwood, Sweet Release
That’s what Sherwood proclaims anyway, on their new album “QU” on a track called “Shelter”.
Sherwood is an indie pop band that hails out of San Luis Obispo, CA. They had a self titled EP that came out 2004 and have produced another EP (“Summer EP” 2006) and 2 full length albums (“Sing, But Keep Going” 2005, “A Different Light”2007) since then. They are currently signed with MySpace Records and have been growing attention.
This album, I found, has a lot of surprises in instrumentation. It goes from normal indie pop instrumentation, but then experiments with some “exotics” such as a steeldrum on “Not Gonna Love”. Also we see a lot of cool music forms such as a capella on “Shelter”, call and response on “Hit the Bottom”, and acoustic/piano duet on “Worn”.
This album has a great feel and varies its range in tempos and styles. It definitely fits in the great releases of the fall category. I would like to see them live if they make it out to New York.
As much as my words try to do justice, it can really speak for itself. Check out their myspace for the full album stream!
Enjoy!
“QU”
1. Shelter
2. Maybe This Time
3. Hit the Bottom
4. Make it Through
5. You Are
6. Ground Beneath My Feet
7. Around You
8. What Are You Waiting For?
9. Not Gonna Love
10. Worn
11. Free
12. No Better
written by TNuthall
Filed under: Aural Pleasure, Fore-Playlists, eTrackulations, indie | Tags: chris spofford, indie rock, indiegasm, Lovedrug, Oswego, the sucker punch show, wnyo
and call me in the morning
On my hunt for some new music, Last.fm suggested that I take a listen to some guys that call themselves Lovedrug. 
So I said “NO”, and then proceeded to download their latest album
“The Sucker Punch Show”, released October 18, 2008. Just like most music we here at IndieGasm write about, I was instantly hooked. Lovedrug isn’t exactly something I’d place under the category of “catchy”, but it’s definitely something worth spending some time with.
Canton, Ohio gave birth to the band in 2001, and since then, went through some changes. Lovedrug is presently made up of Mike Shepard (vox/guitar/piano), Jeremy Michael Gifford (guitar/synthesizer/piano), Thomas Bragg (bass), and James Childress (drums).
I haven’t had the pleasure to listen to the other albums they’ve released in the past, but I will say that “The Sucker Punch Show” sounds like something that Manchester Orchestra and Mars Volta would make (with a little Muse on top). Mmm Mmm Mmm. These dudes have a pretty distinctive sound which, of course, is a bit of a must in today’s music scene.
If you like indie-rock, give Lovedrug a shot. At least have a one night stand with them. To make it easier for you, here’s their music page for you to taste yourself.
“The Sucker Punch Show” (2008)
- Let It All Out
- Only One
- Blood Like
- Everyone Needs A Halo
- The Dirtiest Queen
- Borrowed Legs
- Broken Home
- Fake Angels
- My World
- Hante Bruit
- Panicked Witness
- Dying Days
Happy Halloween y’all!
Written by Chris Spofford
Filed under: Aural Pleasure, Tasty Tuesdays, indie | Tags: Aural Pleasure, belly up, chris spofford, company of thieves, indie, indiegasm, ordinary riches, Oswego, san diego, Tasty Tuesdays, wnyo
No, it’s OK. You can keep it. 
I’m still in awe from a performance that, 1. Happened four hours ago and, 2. Was not by Our Lady Peace. As I stood waiting for a group I had intended to see, a simple band calling themselves Company of Thieves warmed up the crowd as well as my heart.
With Genevieve Schatz on vocals, Marc Walloch on guitar, Mike Ortiz slamming the drums, Mike Miamone with the keyboard, and Bob Buckstaff slappin’ da bass, I was moved by how live performers should truly entertain a crowd. It isn’t very often that I wish for more from the opening band after they walk off the stage mainly due to the perfection of their artistic value. So, Genevieve and the gang, if you’re reading this… thank you!
Reigning from the beautiful city of Chicago, Company of Thieves proved to at least me that THEY should have been the ones headlining the show. These guys are cruising around the country promoting their first complete album titled “Ordinary Riches.” The sound provided is comparative to a mix of Sarah Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor and AG Silver… I think. It’s pretty difficult to really compare them to other bands. All I know is that Company of Thieves is within my top favorite performers of all time. They made my night and I want you to at least have a listen to their music online. It depresses me that you will not be able to experience what I did tonight unless you catch them at a show in the future because their CD does not do them justice. Though it is a great album, having them on a stage would be my first choice. Seeing Genevieve lose herself in a river of ecstasy that was their music was really something else.
To those who know me, yes. I have indeed fallen in love with Genevieve. It is only an understatement when I say that she is a stellar performer as well as Mark, Mike (squared), and Bob.
For more info and/or a taste of their music babies, click here for their official site and here for their Myspace music page.
Written by Chris Spofford
Filed under: Interviews | Tags: brian rosenworcer, chris spofford, guster, indiegasm, Interviews, Oswego, Syracuse, wnyo
August 29th 2009,
The Thunder-God himself
Getting to interview your favorite band of all time is a big deal. Fortunately for me, I was able to interview Guster. And fortunately for you, you get to read/hear all about it!
At long last, I have found myself in a position where I feel creative enough to give you (the reader) a review of a pretty awesome night. Not to mention that I deem it necessary to post something for those of whom are returning to school and need some material to hold them back from doing any ACTUAL work. Welcome back to school everyone! So sit back, relax, and enjoy this one because it’ll take a chunk of your precious work time.
On April 26th, Spencer, his girlfriend at the time, Meghan, and I found ourselves in a position to see Guster (more…)
Filed under: Hard News
Even construction workers love our show!
Hello All,
For those who tuned into IndieGasm last week, we stated that we would have a show this week for you guys. Unfortunately between finals, working, packing, and goodbyes, we three have been far too busy to get on the air and provide you with more awesome music or get new material on our site. DJ Spoff and DJ Spence $$ are driving across the country to the beautiful San Diego on Sunday the 17th of May. DJ Spoff will reside on the west coast as DJ Spence will be spending a semester in Hungary. And our wonderful DJ Christay will continue IndieGasm down its righteous path with a good friend of ours, Jason Checkla. (DJ superhero name TBD (DJ Check-it?)) So please, do not fret. IndieGasm will live on next semester with even more music while DJ Spoff and DJ Spence $$ will continue to add fine music material right here on this site. And we promise to have the Guster interview as well as Good Old War interview posted up soon for you guys. Trust us, we’re just as excited to put it up as you are to read all about it.
IndieGasm wishes everyone a safe and wonderful summer. We thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for being such great friends and supporting us. We love you all so much!!!
- DJ Spoff, DJ Spence $$, and DJ Christay <3
Filed under: Aural Pleasure, Sweet Releases | Tags: 1997, Jackson's Kid Summer, Le Moyne, Oswego, Sierra Sunshine, Syracuse, Taking Back Sunday
Jackson’s Kid Summer, based out of Syracuse, NY, is a band that consistently makes me happy. On top of being the most fun people around, they also happen to have talent like whoa. Kevin’s technical guitar playing, Kate Ellen’s beautiful voice, and Chris’ kickin’ rad bass playing make for a great time. The band has recently undergone some changes, after releasing their first (of many, hopefully) full-length entitled Sierra Sunshine. Jack Nolan, the former lead singer/rhythm guitarist, is singing on the album but is no longer playing with the band.
Their album is one of the most cohesive pieces of work I’ve heard in a long time. It’s a pretty common occurrence that you will buy an album, or download an album, and only find two or maybe 3 good songs on the whole thing. Let me tell you straight up: There are no bad songs on this album. There are songs that aren’t as great as the other ones, but they are still quite enjoyable.
There is a storyline in the album. It’s an arc of a relationship, that bounces back up towards the very end. I love it.
The imagery in the songs is beautiful. The band is reminiscent of bands like 1997, with fun, upbeat, poppy vocal hooks backed by intricate guitarwork. Others might hear bits and pieces of Taking Back Sunday, Paramore, and Jack’s Mannequin between the folds.
The boys in the band go to Le Moyne and Kate Ellen goes to Oswego.
Lead-singer Kate Ellen says that her favorite song is “The Quiet Years”, with the lines “And I can’t keep moving / what’s so wrong with staying in one place” which was heartfelt when she was leaving home to come to college, and reflects a relationship that didn’t work out. One song that stood out to me was the sweet and oh-so-fun “Saturday” which features some good head-bobbing riffs and attention-grabbing vocal lines. The building tension erupts at the end of the song like a volcano of shooting stars.
I highly recommend you buy their album, Sierra Sunshine, and listen to it all the way through. I can guarantee you that you will not be disappointed. Everyone I have talked to about Jackson’s Kid Summer has become an avid fan immediately.
You can check out samples of their music at: www.jacksonskidsummer.com
Download their hit song “New Day Radio” here: Jackson’s Kid Summer – New Day Radio
Keep on rockin!
Filed under: Aural Pleasure
Hello beautiful world. I would just like to a do a little plug for some music that my little brother and I have been making. We are planning a tour for this summer around NY state and would love it if you listened to our tracks. These tracks are not us playing together, but soon enough, they will be.
Leo Brill (my brother) – Charity Case:Download here
Check out his myspace here: www.myspace.com/professorraptorclaw
As for me, I’ve written 3 songs in the last 3 weeks after not writing music for about 2+ years. It’s pretty exciting for me.
Here’s a song about a Mermaid that I wrote:
Spencer Brill – Follow My Voice: Download Here
You can check out my myspace here: www.myspace.com/drbrontotail
You can download the other songs I’ve written from here: www.purevolume.com/ojosdelmar
Thanks for listening!
Filed under: eTrackulations | Tags: Busdriver, Chromeo, Jukebox the Ghost, Mysto and Pizzi, Say Anything, Stars of Track and Field, Two Tongues
Here is a collection of some of our favorite tracks from the past week. Some old. Some new. Some odd. Some punk. Some hip hop. Some stuff we played. ENJOY!
Chromeo – Bonafied Lovin’ (Tough Guys)
Mysto and Pizzi – Somebody’s Watching Me [that Geico commercial song]
Jukebox The Ghost – Under My Skin
Busdriver – The Troglodyte Wins
Stars of Track and Field – Arithmatik
Two Tongues – Crawl (Say Anything’s side-project)
Download it here: eTrackulations
Click away my pretties!
Filed under: Aural Pleasure | Tags: Honor Bright, Lights Out Dancing, Oswego, Post punk, Search The City, Sheldon Ballroom
We saw these hilarious Minneapolis, Minnesota based dudes at a show in Syracuse for the Honor Bright tour kickoff a few weeks ago. Lights Out Dancing put on a great show, have a ridiculous sense of humor and play some kickin’ tunes. Very Search The City -esque, post punk stuff. I dig it. And so should you. They’re also just nice people in general, so I recommend meeting them, as I’m sure they’ll show you a good time.
These guys are coming back to the area (specifically Oswego) on another leg of their tour with Honor Bright. We played their song “I Can Feel It” on our show a week and a half ago. You can download it below.
Check out their myspace here: http://www.myspace.com/lightsoutdancing
Download of “I Can Feel It”: Lights Out Dancing – I Can Feel It
They’ll be playing in Oswego with Honor Bright on April 15th in Sheldon Ballroom. We’ll see you there!
