The week-long CMJ Music Marathon just came to an end, as did my panic to squeeze into it as many shows as possible. I saw about 20, trekking from one end of Manhattan to the other (talk about a great schlep). Here are a few I thought were most noteworthy:
Apache Beat (pictured) are like a smart goth rock band without all the theatrics and bad make-up. Judging from the size of the audience, they might just be the next big thing out of New York.
A Sunny Day in Glasgow are one of the most breathtaking dream pop bands around right now. They remind me a lot of Cocteau Twins and the classic 4AD bands of the late eighties and early nineties.
On their Myspace, Baltimore band Double Dagger say "we are not post hardcore." While that might be true, they sure do sound and feel a hell of a lot like a lot of the iconic bands I used to listen to in my formative years like Fugazi, Drive Like Jehu and almost everything on Gravity Records. These guys make me think there is yet hope for smart, loud and emotional hardcore.
Ponytail, also out of Baltimore, also blew me away. Everybody I know has been telling me to check them out and after finally getting my chance, I can see why people are flocking to their shows. Crazy/hyper dance punk that sounds like it could lead to sugar shock. If you’re into Marnie Stern, check out this quartet.
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