Kanine Records

Double negatives with Xray Eyeballs

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 | musiX, pdX | No Comments

I read that Xray Eyeballs frontman O.J. San Felipe includes lullabies as some of the inspiration for his music. Sounds kinda weird, but when you sit down and really absorb the themes of “Rock-a-Bye Baby” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider” you realize that whoever wrote those was—if I may be so direct—a little fucked in the head.

Xray Eyeballs are a little fucked in the head. Which is why I like them. Not to mention there’s something to be said about a band that was noticed for a T-shirt before their music. And they look like extras from Blade Runner. Plus, I just like the band name. The Brooklyn five-piece makes noisy pop music that balances light and darkness, tasteful and unsavory, organic kale and crystal meth. Their debut full-length (out April 19 on Kanine Records) Not Nothing is a creepy good time where guitars rule the land and minds float in the gutter. Ya smell what I’m steppin’ in? “Egyptian Magician” is a good place to start, although the vid for “Crystal” will give you the full, undiluted picture.

“Egyptian Magician” - Xray Eyeballs

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There will be (Surfer) Blood

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 | musiX | 4 Comments

I’m often drawn to bands based on their names … which is why I am a big fan of Italy’s Necrodeath—not to mention they sure can play some good jams.

Surfer Blood is another band I had to check out because of their handle. Quick word association: Surfer Blood, Great White shark, Jaws, Steven Spielberg, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford, Han Solo, the Millennium Falcon, tractor beams, the Death Star, Deathstar, brilliant noise-pop …

… which brings me back to Surfer Blood. Now, calling Surfer Blood brilliant would be a bit generous, but the four-piece is making some pretty fun and rambunctious rock out of West Palm Beach, Florida … a place I will likely never visit.

The band’s debut Astro Coast—which actually has a Great White on the cover—was recorded in a dorm room at the University of Florida. The familiar elements are there—Beach Boy harmonies, skuzzy guitars, ramshackle indie rock arrangements—and I must say these guys have managed to strike a perfect balance between them all, churning out songs that are sweet and reckless (and I will say that the second half of the 6-minute “Slow Jabroni” comes close to brilliance).

The almighty blogosphere has already latched on to these young lads like a fleshy chunk of Vampire Weekend-flavored chum, and will probably not let go for the duration of ‘10. For once I might be with them … then again, I also predicted big things for Necrodeath.

“Swim” - Surfer Blood

“Slow Jabroni” - Surfer Blood

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