If You Like: The Strokes, The Libertines, Arctic Monkeys

If you like:

-Arctic Monkeys

-Hot Hot Heat

-The Libertines

-The Strokes

Try:

The Haznauts

When I first started looking into this foursome from Corona, California, I didn't really think about their name. It took until the point of actual e-mail correspondence that I considered it. While it looks and sound like a normal--albeit awesome--word, "haznaut" is actually a complete invention.  And that sums up the band, really. While the first few riffs sound like a typical--albeit awesome-- indie rock band, there's really nothing in the dictionary for them. 


Citing The Strokes as a major musical influence, they're bound to draw comparison to the type of bands known for their enthusiastic enuui, like the Libertines and Arctic Monkeys. It's punkish indie rock with the kind of non-stop energy that makes  you want to be a drummer. Or a speed freak. But there's something else there, a heated intensity that sets them apart. With their riotous guitar riffs and in-your-face vocals, there's almost a glimpse of early-90s metal-rock a la Faith No More. It's not a combination you'd think to try but it goes down well.


They're currently in Nashville recording their first EP. I for one will be looking forward to it. And if you're anywhere near them in the next few months, do what you can to check out a live show. Something tells me it would be a good one.


Stalk online on their reverbnation (infinitely better than myspace--why does that still exist?), facebook, and website

Love Bullets (The Haznauts) by MrShuffleupagus

Tongue Tied (The Haznauts) by MrShuffleupagus

If You Like: The Black Keys, The White Stripes, Iggy and the Stooges

If You Like:

-The Black Keys

-Blues-rock

-Garage rock

-Iggy and the Stooges

-Dr Dog

-The White Stripes

-Generally being badass

Try:

Hanni El Khatib

I know you're thinking "if I hear about ONE more Palestinian-Filipino one-man band, I'm leaving this blog for good." But hear me out. Because this is some balls-out thrash-garage-rock that will restore your faith in the survival of real guitar music.

LA-based Hanni El Khatib's sound pays homage to the mid-century Americana aesthetic that paved the way for rock and roll, from soulful, dark blues to Shangri-La's-ish doo-wap. This is the musical equivalent to a knife-fight at the malt shop.

Comparisons to the Black Keys and the White Stripes are numerous and inevitable. Khatib also just finished a tour opening for Florence and the Machine. And California-based music writers consistently place him on their "ones to watch" lists. So you could say that the multi-instrumentalist is receiving all the right exposure to become the next big thing in rock. But I like to think that the inherent fucking coolness of someone who makes music "written for anybody who's ever been shot or hit by a train" will do the trick on its own.

(Music available from Stones Throw.)

You Rascal You (Hanni El Khatib) by Mr.Shuffleupagus

If You Like: Beach House, Blonde Redhead, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

If You Like:

-Beach House
-Blonde Redhead
-Portishead

-Post-punk/New wave 

-Radiohead circa In Rainbows

-The Yeah Yeah Yeahs



Try:

LoveLikeFire



Though SanFrancisco-based, LoveLikeFire has a definite retro-British feel to them, with various bloggers and reviewers comparing them to everything from The Cure (kinda), to Siouxie and the Banshees (getting there), to Echo and the Bunnymen circa Porcupine (never would have thought of that one but bingo).

With rolling percussion, shimmery guitar reverb and Ann Yu's ethereal, Beth Gibbons-esque vocals, this band's dreamy-arty-post-punk revivalist sound is dead on trend, if not just ahead of the mainstream curve.

So the only question is: how is this not more popular?


From the just-released Dust:

In My Room (LoveLikeFire) by Mr.Shuffleupagus

Falling Asleep (LoveLikeFire) by Mr.Shuffleupagus

And from 2009's Tear Ourselves Away: