MP3: Hunx and His Punx – “Lovers Lane”
MP3: Hunx and His Punx – “Too Young To Be In Love”
Hunx and His Punx just released their second album, but in many ways it’s their first.
The record, titled Too Young To Be In Love, marks a change in direction for the Oakland band, as well as a new lineup. Last year’s Gay Singles established front man Seth Bogart’s playful flamboyance as he sang homoerotic takes on 70s punk, but Too Young is inspired by a different muse: 60s girl groups like The Ronettes and The Shangri-Las. Bogart has branded the revised sound “young oldies,” and the name is an apt one.
From the catchy opener “Lovers Lane” to the downtrodden title track, Too Young To Be In Love serves up sugary hooks and bittersweet nostalgia in equal measure. It’s a winning combination, and a lot of the credit goes to Bogart’s new, all-female backing band — comprised of bassist Shannon Shaw, guitarist Michelle Santamaria and drummer Erin Emslie — whose powerful vocals make the songs swoon and soar.
San Diegans can bask in all the old-timey goodness on April 9, when Hunx and His Punx play the Tin Can Alehouse. Shannon & the Clams, Shaw’s other band, and Plateaus will be opening. It’s also worth noting that the evening will be presented by Art Fag Recordings, the red-hot, local label that gave Dum Dum Girls, Crocodiles, and Best Coast their start, so you know it’ll be a good time.
Those of you with early bedtimes can catch an abbreviated set from Hunx and His Punx at 6pm that evening at M Theory Records. A word to the wise, though: Bogart has tried to make out with entire rows of attendees at his shows in the past, so you might want to hang back by the jazz section if you’re the shy type.
Hunx and His Punx tour dates
04.02.11 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill $
04.08.11 – Los Angeles, CA – Echo $
04.09.11 – San Diego, CA – M Theory Records
04.09.11 – San Diego, CA – Tin Can
04.10.11 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress $
04.12.11 – Austin, TX – Emos (inside) $
04.13.11 – Houston, TX – Fitzgeralds (downstairs) # $
04.14.11 – New Orleans, LA – Spellcaster Lodge $
04.15.11 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Mess Around at The Earl
04.16.11 – Nashville, TN – The End % $
04.17.11 – Charlotte, NC – Milestone Club $
04.18.11 – Durham, NC – Duke Coffee House $
04.19.11 – Baltimore, MD – Golden West $
04.20.11 – New York, NY – Cake Shop $
04.21.11 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie $
04.22.11 – Swarthmore, PA – Olde Club at Swarthmore College $
04.23.11 – Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands $
04.24.11 – Boston, MA – TT the Bear’s $
04.26.11 – Montreal, QC – La Sala Rossa $
04.27.11 – Toronto, ON – The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern $
04.28.11 – Detroit, MI – The Old Miami $
04.29.11 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle $
04.30.11 – Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club $
05.01.11 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry $
05.03.11 – Fargo, ND – The Aquarium $
05.04.11 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr $
05.05.11 – Kansas City, MO – The Record Bar $
05.07.11 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive $
$ – w/ Shannon & the Clams
# – free!
% – w/ JEFF the Brotherhood, Heavy Cream