Chain Gang of 1974 will play Rickshaw Stop this Thursday

tix are $10 at the door, the show is 18+ and starts at 10PM

Born in San Jose and raised in Hawaii, Kamtin Mohager is the shape-shifting singer/multi-instrumentalist behind the Chain Gang of 1974. According to Mohager, his first proper release was “all over the place, from a piano ballad to songs that sound like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Primal Scream or Justice.”

Now he sounds like this:

band of the week + concert review: Free Energy

Last night, Free Energy brought something to the Popscene’s stage that very few indie bands nowadays can brag about…deliciously decipherable guitars, high jumps, and 70’s swagger out the wazoo. Opening up for Dan Black (whom I shall sum up as the head scratching combination of Coldplay and rap wrapped up in self indulgence and stage makeup), the Philly band quickly gained the audience’s approval—much to my delight.

Free Energy, which, according to their lead singer Paul, was named after the song ‘cause it stuck well, are well ahead of the game—even if only musically. I have no doubt that people will soon catch on to this insanely catchy band, as James Murphey has already done by producing their forthcoming March 6th debut, Stuck on Nothing.

Their set was overflowing with high energy and guitar feel-goodery, the band’s chemistry was perfect. Knock you off your ass with a punch in the face perfection. Paul Sprangers (vox) and Scott Wells (guitar) used to play in the now-defunct Hockey Night, but they regrouped as the force that is Free Energy, recruiting a couple of friends to play drums (Nick Shuminsky) and guitar (Geoff Bucknum), with Scott’s younger brother Evan on bass.

I had a nice chat with Scott after the band’s set and he told me that he enjoyed playing the Popscene a lot more than their Rickshaw Stop show on the 24th, mainly because the Noisepop people were being all stressed out etc etc. I was surprised to hear that he has recently been binging on U2, especially War and Joshua Tree. He blames Brian Eno’s flawless production for his fixation on the latter album.

When I asked him what the band listened to while writing songs for Stuck on Nothing, he replied with the more logical answer of “Thin Lizzy”.
Thank goodness for small favours.

Set list:
Hope Child
Bang Pop
All I Know
Dream City
Something in Common
Stuck on Nothing
Free Energy






Free Energy - Something in Common [mp3, highly recommended!]

Free Energy - Dark Trance [mp3]

Concert Review: The Rakes 02 April 2009

I discovered The Rakes through last.fm. They came up in The Strokes radio (which is what I usually listen to at work, surprise, surprise). I subsequently wrote down “THE RAKES!!!!” on a slip of paper and stuck it into my bag to look up later.

A few weeks later, I was cleaning out my room and decided to give my bag a go, too (I am a huge slob). I found three different slips of paper, all of them saying “THE RAKES!!!” in some form or another.

That’s how awesome they are.

Now, take my aforementioned enthusiasm, add a dance club and a stage for lead singer Alan Donohoe to act like a crazy robot on, and you’ve got yourself a formula for success.

Much to my pleasure, they had composed a set list which I heartily approved of. Before going to the show, I was hoping they’d focus on their debut (Capture/Release), their newest album (Klang), but also play “We Danced Together” and “The World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect” from the second album (Ten New Messages). And that is precisely what they did. I was thrilled that they played my favourite of theirs, “Violent”.

Each member of the band was aware of their mates and they worked beautifully together, in sync throughout the night. Meanwhile, the crowd (including yours truly) was going crazy. One audience member tried to pull the lead singer down to the floor (this actually eventually worked), and eventually proceeded to jump onstage to dance with Alan (who didn’t seem to mind too much).

It was a great night, I am so lucky to have been able to attend one of their FOUR American shows, especially at such an intimate venue as the Popscene. They already played the Troubadour (LA) but still have two NY dates (Bowery Ballroom on the 6th and Bell House on the 7th).

Set list:


4/5

The Rakes are good at creating catchy dance music with realistic, dreary lyrics. They are not musical pioneers in any way, but they REALLY excel at what they do. I suggest that you check them out, I am quite enjoying their latest album Klang, but I suggest that you start with the following:

The Rakes - The World Was a Mess But His Hair Was Perfect [mp3]

you can find videos of "Violent", "We Danced Together" and "The Lonliness of the Outdoor Smoker" on my YOUTUBE page

more photos: