Poetic Memory: The Old In Out (List)
San Diego’s music scene offers plenty of options. Want gorgeous jazz vocals shimmering with old-timey charm? We’ve got Erika Davies. Need a mainlined dose of fast, endlessly catchy powerpop? We’ve got The Powerchords. Have a hankering for exquisitely depressing tales of heartache, complete with eerie saw-playing? We’ve got Black Heart Procession. But if you’re looking for a band that rocks so hard they’ll shatter your pint glass, you need look no further than The Old In Out.
Blending the raunchiest elements of blues, garage rock, and psychedelia, The Old In Out are a hailstorm of loud guitar, sledgehammered beats, and sneering swagger. We recently had the opportunity to pick drummer Christopher James Carrol’s brain about what inspires him:
“I’ve found that inspiration comes from within and without. Everything and anything from a cool movie to seeing a great art show to watching the sun set, or reading a good book on a rainy day afternoon. The things that truly influence me are the things that create whole new worlds to peer into: worlds of mood, color, and shape that challenge and unlock new doors of understanding.”
We’ve been fortunate enough to obtain Poetic Memory lists from lots of musicians in the past, but his is definitely one of the more eclectic ones we’ve seen. Carrol’s multifaceted nature is also apparent in his music; in addition to his work with The Old In Out, he also drums for up-and-coming prog monster Shapes Of Future Frames. Carrol’s Poetic Memory can be found below. (more…)
Polysics Invade San Diego
San Diego is a great place to see live music, but there isn’t always a synth-heavy, eccentric, Japanese spaz-punk band around when you need one. In a gracious effort to fill that void, Tokyo natives Polysics will be playing the Casbah on January 30th.
Citing Devo as a major influence, Polysics are truly a sight to behold. With their orange jumpsuits, science fiction glasses, and synchronized robotic movements, the hyperactive quartet put on one of the most bizarre and exciting shows around. The band’s self-described “technicolor pogo punk” is a thrilling spectacle, made all the more enthralling by front man Hiroyuki Hayashi’s boundless enthusiasm and slippery grasp of the English language. (more…)
Single Screen Signs Maren Parusel
San Diego’s Single Screen Records has just added German export Maren Parusel to its rapidly growing roster.
The former front-woman of Wild Weekend—which started as a The Zeros cover band but whose local prestige eventually grew to rival that of its muse—and the also-defunct Squiddo, Parusel has decided to fly solo. Her debut 7-inch is currently being pressed and will be released sometime this summer.
Single Screen has been melting a lot of wax lately. In addition to signing Parusel, the label has 7-inch releases planned for The Powerchords, Beaters, The Atoms, The Illuminauts, and Charles Musket, as well as the debut full-length from The Paddle Boat.
You can catch Parusel’s wistful pop melodies live at the Beauty Bar on May 23rd, where she’ll be playing with The Dabbers and Red Pony Clock. We’ve also got a video of her performing the captivatingly carnivalesque “Ordinary Day” after the jump. (more…)
The Powerchords – Dummy
Sure, almost a year has passed since The Powerchords released their infectious full-length album, …Think I’m Gonna, but it’s never too late to make a music video, especially when that video contains vibrant colors, wacky effects, and zany Japanese subtitles.
The power-pop quartet have been mysteriously absent from the live scene for a while, which is a shame since their performances are not to be trifled with. They do have one date lined up, though; they’ll be playing with Beaters, Reverse Cowboys, and Platanos on May 24th at the Che Cafe.
Download: Owl and Bear’s Honorable Mention of 2008
Owl and Bear’s list of albums that almost made the cut in 2008.
Single Screen Records Signs Black Mamba
Ethereal piano-pop band Black Mamba has become the latest artist to sign with San Diego label Single Screen Records. They are currently finishing up a 6 song EP, which will be released through the label on 12-inch vinyl in early 2009.
And while you’re eagerly awaiting the release of their EP, do yourself a favor and go see them live. They’ll be playing at the Beauty Bar with Drew Andrews and Boomsnake on December 9th, and at The Casbah with Tape Deck Mountain and Madison County on December 22nd.
Review: The Powerchords; September 27, 2008 at Bar Pink; San Diego
A large crowd of power-pop fans filled Bar Pink on Saturday to celebrate the release of The Powerchords’ red-hot full-length …Think I’m Gonna.
The Powerchords – …Think I’m Gonna
2008, Single Screen Records
The debut record from power-pop band The Powerchords has been a long time coming.
The band released their demo back in 2005, a seven song EP of finely crafted songs that immediately brought them to the forefront of San Diego’s music scene. But despite a rabid following and a reputation for excellent, charming live performances, the subsequent years saw only one Powerchords release—the Unattached Strings/Dream Girl 7-inch. Now, at long last, we have …Think I’m Gonna, a proper fourteen song collection of propellant punk and pop that will satisfy old fans and recruit new ones.
Powerchords Tourdates
San Diego’s The Powerchords are currently on tour in support of their new album, …Think I’m Gonna. They’re playing tonight in NJ, then heading down the East Coast, down through the South, and then back to San Diego for their record release.
Catch them if you get the chance!! Dates:
