Lost Indie Bands
Mike
What ever happened to some of music’s most buzzed about artists?
9. Boy Kill Boy
Boy Kill Boy rode on the coattails of The Killers sound by using their magic formula to an annoying degree. Their biggest hit was “Suzie” – a show off of the rest of their dancey sing-along debut album,
Civilian. The band released one more album before they imploded. Too bad no one gave a damn.
8. The Vines
When
Highly Evolvedwas all the rage, The Vines were hailed as the second coming of Nirvana – to which Kurt Cobain must have been rolling in his grave, as would the rest of us. The Vines made music that was alright and their success seemed as though it came too quick to handle. Or perhaps, it was the bratty behavior of Craig Nicholls that got in the way of the music. Did you know they released an album in Australia this year? Me either. It only sold 1655 copies at press time.
7. Giant Drag
Best known for a cover of Chris Issac’s “Wicked Game” – Giant Drag’s
Hearts and Unicornsmixed the greatness of PJ Harvey, The Breeders, Mazzy Star, and My Bloody Valentine to Annie Hardy’s own liking. In December of 2008, NME announced that she was suffering from a muscle disorder. The word now is that a new album is finished and we’re all wishing the best for her on both levels. Fingers crossed for good health and new music!
6. Black Kids
In ’07, the Black Kids truly defined the word “buzz band.” They were one of the industry’s most talked about acts, especially during CMJ. Interesting, considering what other artists – such as Spoon, UNKLE, and The Ponys – played that same year. Black Kids received heavy exposure from SPIN, Entertainment Weekly, and Rolling Stone for 2008’s debut
Partie Traumatic, but the following year their EPCemetery Lipswas met with little to no buzz at all. Irony can be rough.
5. Young Love
Young Love’s debut album,
Too Young to Fight, spawned two dance floor hits that bring flashbacks of “Discotech” dancing and long nights out. The album gained quick popularity but faded away just as fast. A sophomore release followed in 2009, but this time the dance floor was empty.
4. Late of the Pier
When a band makes a new sound fashionable, copycats are sure to follow. In the wake of The Klaxons breaking out in 2007, Late of the Pier followed. Regardless,
Fantasy Black Channelwas an enjoyable, dance-freakout album! The problem is, these former NME darlings seem to have disappeared ever since that rave-y, dance-punk sound became old news.
3. Ambulance LTD
Ambulance LTD’s debut album,
LP, is an underrated release of great rock records from the early 00’s. After band members Matthew Dublin, Darren Beckett, and Benji Lysaght left to form The Red Romance, Marcus Congleton bought the rights to the band’s name. He started writing and recording under the same moniker and went on tour with a new line up. Unfortunately, TVT records filed for bankruptcy – preventing the project from releasing the new material. What has happened since then is beyond me. A tweet or a Facebook status update would be nice!
2. Rock Kills Kid
The story of Rock Kills Kid is an eccentric tale. During the writing process of
Are You Nervous?,frontman Jeff Tucker was reclusive and homeless – often sleeping at the LA recording studio Fearless Records was paying for. When the album came out, it was moderately successful and had some great tracks. I was interested to hear a follow up… But with no recent updates or an announcement of a breakup, you have to wonder if Jeff went back to his old ways – spending all of his RKK money and becoming homeless again. I sure hope not.
1. Van She
Australian label Modular records introduced the Van She as “a new band from Sydney fresh on ideas, fresher than Flavor Flav, fresh like coriander, fresher than the Fresh Prince, fresher than fresh eggs”. Things were looking big for the band. Their debut album
Vwas released in 2008 and they have done remixes for Feist, Klaxons, New Young Pony Club and Dragonette. Crystal Castles even sampled them on “Vanished”. Despite these claims of being their country’s most innovative musicians, they didn’t go far in actuality – the band was lumped in with others bringing the 80’s new wave revival to the scene. The last thing I’ve heard is, there are plans to release a new single in the near future.
