Karmin

Just introduced to Karmin.  These two are amazing and you must check them out!

Foals at Wonder Ballroom

From submitting my Perfect Playlist to 947.fm, I got free tickets to see a band called Foals.  I knew nothing about them or the other bands, but was excited to see a show at the Wonder Ballroom.  The venue is pretty nice and not worn out like many other concert halls.  It has an awesome upstairs bar and seating area.  It's great, but I don't think the bar should be upstairs as I saw plenty of tipsy people falling down on the stairs.

Freelance Whales were just before Foals.  They are an Indie rock band from New York.  They sounded like Postal Service mixed with Mumford and Sons.  They were really close to being good, but just didn't sound quiet right.  They seemed to build a repetitive track rather than a solid sound.  They had lots of instruments and it seemed like each band member was a good musician, but all together the sound was very mundane and boring.  They must be good and have a following though because they are playing at a lot of great upcoming shows.  I assume people are going towards a folk sound like Mumford & Sons a little more every day, but I'm hoping this is a phase.  I would keep an eye on Freelance Whales because they might change just enough to be really good, but as of now, not so perfect.

Foals, the headlining band from England, was a little funny looking as they walked out on stage, but as soon as they played it was money.  The lead, Yannis Philippakis, has voice just like Robert Smith of The Cure.  Overall I thought they did sound like The Cure, but with a lot more rock.  According to their wiki page, it says they are linked to “dance-punk” and that sounds just about right for them.  They are fantastic musicians and every other song felt like a live jam session.  They were awesome and constantly had a fantastic bass line and beat.  I just thoroughly enjoyed one song to the next and was always loving the sound that came from them.  I highly recommend them and if you are unsure, see them in concert for the jam session vibe because they are fantastic live.

A Silent Film

Since I’m promoting bands, I thought I’d also share a band that I found called A Silent Film. They’ve played one song on the radio, “You Will Leave a Mark,” and it’s so good. It’s one of those songs that you hear and have to know more. They have a great sound that’s simple and somehow beautiful. I think they are a gem and I’m excited I found them.

When going to see A Silent Film at the Hawthorne Theater in Portland, the headliner was a band called Civil Twilight which was also pretty good. I haven’t instantly fallen in love, but they are pretty good as well if you want to keep with the same style. They have the piano and a majestic voice, but they have a more rock feel to them then A Silent Film.

Moral of the story, go out see live music and try to find good music that you love.

Perfect Playlist

Today, Skankeywear was featured on 947.fm playing our Perfect Playlist.  Check out 947.fm for more info on the Perfect Playlist and a radio station that still plays good music.  This was our Perfect Playlist which all songs had a loose interpretation or meaning to Skankeywear, but first and foremost, the music is good.

1)  The Steelwells "This Dance Is Out of Your Hands"  We picked this because firstly, we love The Steelwells, and secondly because there is a very small reference to Paisley and our Paisley shirt is the most popular shirt sold.

2)  A Silent Film "You Will Leave a Mark"  This song is picked out of irony, since clothing treated with C6 Tech does not leave a mark.  We love this band ever since we saw them live this past month.

3)  Muse "Resistance"  The Muse are great and have so many good songs.  This was just one of them which coincides with our them of resistance of water and stains.

4)  The Temper Trap "Fader"  This is a newer bad to us, but we are loving their sound and the variety that they have.  Our Skankeywear clothing is actually fade resistant as well, so it will not fade.

5)  Blind Melon "No Rain"  This song takes us back to the 90s in more simple times.  Plus, living in Oregon has gotten us to pray for no rain.  Rain or not, Skankeywear and NW Allen lines of clothing can hold up against any water or stains.

FYI, if you follow us on Twitter, you will find a promo code as a thank you for listening to us on the Radio.

The Steelwells

You may or may not have noticed in our Tweets and Facebook posts that we have supported a band called The Steelwells. They were recently invited into the “Choose the Cover of Rolling Stone” competition. We tried our best to keep them in the competition, but unfortunately they are now out. This has helped them get their name out there, though. We watched an episode of Chuck and heard “El Capitan.”

Who are they?

All five members stem from Orange County, California. What I enjoy about their music is as you listen, you assume that the song will take one road, but it usually takes the back road or one you didn’t think of. They have a folk-sy style to them on top of the epic soundscapes they build mixed with clever lyrics. They are musicians first, so good music comes first. They have great sound that is appealing to many generations.

Check them out when they next come to your town!