Bands
This is an interesting little thing. It's not a list of reccomended bands, because I've missed out a lot, and lo and behold, there's not a spec of J-rock anywhere on here. It's not just a list of little-known bands with websites, as it once was. I think it's best described as a whole bunch of bands that I FOUND through the internet, grew to LOVE through the internet, and never would have been exposed to if not for the INTERNET. If you're looking for a list of reccomendations, I suggest you visit the Reviews section.
Astrid Haven - Two words: FUCKING HELL. They're bizarre, obscene, oddly philosophical, and the lead singer is unspeakably good looking (AND does pin ups... *Drools*). I'm seriously considering getting their symbol tattooed on the back of my thigh, since I have no regard for my living skin... You can find a review of their first album here and with any luck a second album should be coming soon.
Collide - Like a weirdly melodic Skinny Puppy... with a decent female vocalist (Who ain't bad looking). I adore their cover of 'Preacher Man', mainly because, as a devotee of Quentin Tarantino, I know the original rather well. And dammit, YES, I will buy at least one of their albums soon. SOON.
Dope Stars Inc - These babies are now signed and working on their second album, which I will be queing for (Well, you can't que on the internet, but still...). Having been to Italy a few times, I can also tell you that these boys are a rare find for two reasons. A: They make great music, and B: They ain't called 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' for nothing (Grace is mine. Hands off). Click on the links and you can find a reviews of their EP 10,000 Watts of Digital Pleasure and their new album Neuromance.
Meg Lee Chin - All is quiet on the Meg front... That shop better work soon. Electronic, industrial-influenced EBM, with bizarre soundbites and what sounds like a truly strange mind behind the music. If I could actually buy an album, I'd be able to say more...
Johnny Hollow - Ah... Johnny Hollow. So many words spring to mind. Weird. Spooky. Eerie. Dramatic. Subtle. Gothic. Yet not. I might even go as far as to say 'Genius'. Hmm... why the hell haven't I bought the album yet? Ah, yes... the postage is almost as much as the disc is. Easily one of the best websites I've seen in a long time (Although I'm still annoyed they took 'Shock Me Peter' off the radio track listing), even though it's not updated with any real frequency. A review will follow as soon as I stop grumbling about postage costs.
Midnight Syndicate - All right... I'll admit. I first heard about these guys because they made a soundtrack for 'Dungeons and Dragons' (I'm a geek. Deal with it). I never thought I'd plump for a band with no vocalist (Who am I supposed to oggle and worship?) but I tend to think of them as 'composers' and that makes it alright (Cause to tell you the truth... I like Mozart's operas but I wouldn't want to meet him). Pure Gothic ambience with SO MANY uses. Dinner party? Stick it on as background music. Friends over? Background music. Role playing game? Background music. Deep in the throes of art or writing or hand made dread falls making? Well... you get the idea.
Lazy Lane - Eerie, melancholy and haunting. A delicious combination of B-movie House of Horrors imagery delivered with a ghostly kind of grace. I don't know a single other band that could pull off the lyrics 'We hang around sleeping upside down; in a cavern where we can't be found' and not make it sound corny. And of course, there are reviews of their first album The Chills and their new album Keepers of the Gloom.
Psydoll - From the land of the Idol Singers and Battle Royale comes a couple of mad robots and their new breed of delicate Anime-style industrial noise. They have astonishing diversity (Within one song, no less... listen to 'In The Fog' and try and argue with me) and the moment they make their 'War In The Box' and 'The Daughter Of Doctor Neumann' albums avaliable online, I will dance with glee.
The Birthday Massacre - Woah momma. I love these guys. I preordered the second release of 'Nothing And Nowhere' two months in advance. I cried the first time I saw the trailer for 'Violet' (And then shrieked with joy and ran around the house yelling 'New EP new EP new EP!', which really irritated my mother, I can tell you). Diverse synthpop style electronic rock with smoothly bizarre lyrics and a definate shade of purple to everything (Don't ask me why), I shall simply say that I want 'To Die For' played at my wedding (Okay, I'm not having a wedding... big deal). Reviews for Nothing And Nowhere and Violet are both avaliable.
The Dresden Dolls - Erm... 'Brechetian Punk Cabaret', whatever that means. I may not understand the label but I sure as hell like the music. Amanda Palmer made me want to learn how to play piano. Seeing them live made me go do it. The playing is maginificent, the feelings are so real and what's more, they're even better live than they are on the CD, which is pretty damn impressive. Difficult to define, but well worth listening to. You can also read my reviews of their two albums, A Is For Accident and The Dresden Dolls, and my review of their live performance at Madame Jojo's September of last year.
Sky Salt - Although they've lost their INCREDIBLY attractive bassist, which was partially what attracted me to them in the first place (I'm shallow, okay?) they still make damn great music. Their lead singer comes across like a cross between a demented Russian suger pixie and a Hollywood golden era child star. Their music is a complicated mix of fairy tale charm and light hearted rocking out. With vague elements of folk, goth and punk, they're... well, they're Sky Salt.
Flirting Through Violence - When I first heard these guys, I was... confused. At the time, I mused beautifully on how once apon a time, I requested that all the bands I like have vocalists who sung like angels, and how some of the bands I was growing to like now... didn't. But don't let that put you off. I adore them to pieces ('Choke' is quite possibly one of the most moving songs I have ever heard, and some six months down the line still one of the most listened to songs on my Zen) and await their first studio album with bated breath. P.S. Kevin wears a dress remarkably well for strait (Or at least I'm assuming so) caucasian in the southern USA.
Club Decease - Unfortunately, I have lost the single track medly I once download (God knows how long ago) but recently remembered to look them up. Well, that album's out now, and as far as I can remember - not vividly, but passionately - they were good. Sweet, eerie, macabre and romantic. As far as I can remember. Hmm... I think I'm gonna have to buy that album...
Queen Adreena - Okay, I actually first heard of these guys because I got told 'Go see them live, they're fucking amazing'. And... I did. And they were fucking amazing. Whoo! Um, yeah... a hint of punk princess, some madcap age play antics, and something else I just can't place. You can find a review of their latest album Butcher and the Butterfly and their live gig at the Zodiac, October 2005, by clicking those links.
Jill Tracy - The later day queen of Cabaret. Her voice is like black feathers and opium smoke, and refreshingly electric free Malcontent Orchestra which serves as her musical backing come across like they origionally worked with Bonejangles (Corpse Bride, anyone?). Why are you still here? Go listen, damn you!
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra - You just don't get orchestras like you used to... AND THAT'S NOT A BAD THING! As well as working (Or rather, re-working) existing classics, the talented little team of writers have a fair few good ideas of their own. Yes, that's right - the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is not a fixed group, rather a collection of whoever the writers think is appropriate. It's an interesting little gig, doncha thing?
Thomas Truax - I'm into cabaret at the moment. Could you tell? I'm very picky about male voices, but this one is just fine. Truax's lyrics are genius, his voice is stunning and the man makes his own instruments. Definately the most talented Hornicator player I have heard to date.
Trauma Pet - Fairly run-of-the-mill female fronted techno music to be slightly sad to while dancing, and the lead vocalist has a nice accent. They also dress well. I would like to hear more!
Mistula - A flippino band fronted by... dolls? Yes, dolls. Asian ball jointed dolls, to be more exact. Religious imagery. Dolls. Foreign languages. Kick-ass music. All of my favourite things rolled into one. You can tell why I like them, can't you?