exploremusic

“Gold and Warm” by Bad Veins

Let’s talk about Bad Veins. They’re from Cincinnati and record for Dangerbird records, the same company that was so patient and supportive in breaking Silversun Pickups.

Two guys. Ben sings and plays all the guitars and keyboards while Sebastien plays drums. Both were in a bunch of other bands, but nothing ever worked out. Ben was making recordings on his own at his house but realized that he needed a real drummer and a second set of hands to make everything work.

Here’s the big bit of trivia. There is a third member of the group. Her name is Irene. She’s a 1973 pioneer reel-to-reel tape machine that sits on the stage with them. Ben and Sebastien record all the background bits onto Irene, press play and then play along. That used to be common back in the early days of techno-pop—Depeche Mode and The Human League used to do it all the time. Today, though, it looks coolly retro.

There’s more than a little bit of The Killers to the sound of Bad Veins. Begin with a track called “Gold and Warm”. 

“Polar Bear” by Mumiy Troll

We’ve talked about Mumiy Troll before. They’re Russian—Siberian. Vladivostok, out there on the east coast. They’re very, very good. They’re slowly working their way through countries outside the Russian federation. Maybe you even saw them play on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Alan’s a big fan of these guys and he wants you to hear a song called “Polar Bear”.

“Country” by Black Hat Villain

We’ve also covered Black Hat Villain in the past. They’re from Victoria, BC and play the same kind of stuff you’d hear from Chevelle or Breaking Benjamin. Sludge and snarl. Their EP is called My Generation. See what you think of a song called “Country”.

“First Class” by Greg Macpherson

Greg Macpherson is a Winnipeg singer-songwriter who reminds me a lot of Gord Downie when Gordie kicks it up just before he starts to dance. He has a record called Mr. Invitation, which is worth exploring. Start with a song called “First Class”.

For fun, some hippie stoner rock from 1972. Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. It’s a song called “Freakin’ At The Freaker’s Ball” from a record called Sloppy Seconds. Here’s a video of a nicely drunken performance.