Artist: Seven Feet Four
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I received a 4-track CDR from Lukestar way back in April. There wasn't much info included in the package, just that the band was currently on the prowl for a record deal and that the tracks were recorded by Carl Vikman in Sweden. No song titles, no band bio, nothin'. I has seen Lukestar's name in passing, but didn't really know much about them 'cept that they were loosely associated with the Norwegian hardcore scene, or at least that seemed the be the circle they travelled in. However, upon listening, I was taken aback - what's up with this squeaky, androgynous voice? Is this supposed to be emopop? And that drumming... my god! That's what makes the band. The first chorus comes in and teases you with a gigantic hook, only to give way to another, more drawn-out verse with an even more amazing drum break. Then the second chorus, bigger than the last and straight into a triumphant bridge of dueling guitars lines over even busier drums. It's within the realm of noiserock, but not really all that noisy. Melody still rules. One more short, final chorus and, all of a sudden, it's over. The first time I heard it, I was left scratching my head. Not only did it totally defy expectations (those vocals!), but it wasn't quite like anything I'd heard before. Definitely comparable to a lot of the bands Carl Vikman has worked with before - Seven Feet Four, Trapdoor Fucking Exit, Traktor and so on - but with its own unique flavor. Way more pop to be sure, though still rooted in hardcore. Think back to before emo became a bad word. It took me a bit to process, but repeated listens eventually embedded "White shade" firmly into my brain. There's something really intriguing about the way it teases you with the main chorus hook and then moves on. It's such a fantastic part, but it passes by so quickly! In many ways, its stinginess is its strength - I get blindsided and am left wanting more. You might not get it immediately the first time through, but it'll get you.
Too bad Lukestar's album won't be out until 2008 - I was really looking forward to hearing more. As-is, the four tracks I do have remain some of the best stuff I've heard this year.
Lukestar - White shade
Seven Feet Four has now, finally and officially broken up (sadly), but 3/4ths of the band are now playing under the name Giant Boar. Check out two tunes at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/giantboar
Torpedo has enlisted Martin Karlsson from Seven Feet Four as their new drummer. Not a huge surprise, especially considering that ex-member Jimmy O is probably too busy with his main band The Je Ne Sais Quois and their upcoming record release.
My radio show this week is all about good-time summer jams:
01. TALK 1
02. Junior Senior - Move your feet
03. Tigerbombs - 1000 sparks
04. Säkert! - Vi kommer att dö samtidigt
05. TALK 2
06. Maia Hirasawa - And I found this boy
07. Margaret Berger - Samantha
08. The Knife - Heartbeats
09. The Ark - The worrying kind
10. TALK 3
11. Bamse - Kapten Busters sång
12. Marit Bergman - Adios amigos
13. Last Days of April - Playerin
14. Nic & the Family - Hej Monika
15. TALK 4
16. Basshunter - Boten Anna
17. The Alpine - No I in team
18. Aqua - Barbie girl
19. TALK 5
20. I'm From Barcelona - Treehouse
21. Bertine Zetlitz - 500
22. Eric Prydz vs Floyd - Proper education
23. TALK 6
24. Children of Bodom - Oops, I did it again!
25. Whale - Hobo humpin' slobo babe
26. Kurt Nilsen - She's so high
27. Desert Planet - Return of the ninja droids
28. TALK 7
29. Laakso - Italy vs Helsinki
30. Peter Bjorn and John - Young folks
31. September - Cry for you
32. TALK 8
33. Randy - Summer of bros
34. Ace of Base - All that she wants
35. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-Garde - Democracy
36. TALK 9
37. Håkan Hellström - Kann ingen sorg för mig Göteborg
38. Seven Feet Four - Last days of summer
39. Tiger Lou - The war between us (Rupesh Cartel remix)
40. Madrugada - The kids are on high street
41. TALK 10
42. Europe - The final countdown
Download the companion "Summer jam '07" podcast mix right here.
Tack!Tack!Tack! got a mention over at Popjustice: http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1145&Itemid=206
T!T!T! is tonight, but should you find yourself in or around Berlin, be sure to check out Sweden, Sweden! tomorrow night at Club Magnet with the amazing lineup of Moonbabies and Seven Feet Four plus DJs Tiger Lou, Firefox AK and more! Seriously, so many of my favorite people all in one place. It's gonna be amazing.
8
There's a new batch of swedish indierockbands out there. The scene is very much alive and kicking, much thanks to bands like Seven Feet Four, Division of Laura Lee, KVLR, Alarma Man, Knife and Ape, LDOA and Logh. On this three track-EP, this Eskilstuna-based quintet deliver the kind of tunes that put them in the same league. I had often come to the conclusion that something was missing after hearing their previous recordings, but not anymore. This is well-played and tight indierock with hooks. Especially the title track that, if there's any justice in this world, should get more airtime and attention. It's about time these guys release another full-length.
- Jonas Appelqvist
One of the big things that got me deeper into Swedish/Scandinavian rock way back when was explosive, guitar-heavy indierock. Fireside, Starmarket, Him Kerosene, KVLR - these are the bands that caught my interest and had me pouring through liner notes looking for more names to track down. Sadly, that scene is nowhere near as strong these days though there are a few who keep the fire burning: The End Will Be Kicks, Seven Feet Four, Aerial Convoj plus young upstarts like Traktor and today's post subjects The Sound O.E. The band has been lurking in the shadows for a couple years now, but it wasn't until very recently that they seemed to rise above and the new three-song EP "Me and Laureline" proves it. The screechy sprechstimme delivery of the verses might be a bit much for some, but remember that what they're doing is essentially sloganeering - the words are meant to be heard loud and clear. It's call & response; a call to action. When the harmonies of the chorus come in, the intentions are indisputable. The Sound O.E know exactly what they're doing. I think the arrangement could still be tightened up a bit, but I like what they're doing and definitely look forward to hearing more.
The Sound O.E - New bankruptcy
This week's hot tip: Voices Break the Silence. If you're at all into Convoj, The End Will Be Kicks, Seven Feet Four or any other "angular" rock acts, these guys will be right up your alley. In fact, it was Ola from Seven Feet Four who first told me about them - a day before Magnus from Chalksounds/Nomethod (the former being the label of both Convoj and TEWBK) sent me an excited IM with the same recommendation. The band remains unsigned for now, but I doubt it will take long for someone to pick them up. I know this sort of rock doesn't usually get people fired up like whatever flavor-of-the-week twee act is going 'round, but I live for this kind of stuff. It's got just the right balance of heaviness and melodicism: huge churning bass and slicing guitars. Also: I tried to interview them for this week's profile piece, but they never replied to my email. What gives? Get back to me!
Voices Break the Silence - The way
Martin Senter from the mighty Seven Feet Four will fill in on guitar for Olov of The Smackdown on the band's upcoming European tour. Also note that the band is now booked by the excellent Under the Stars, Me!
The Sound O.E has posted three new songs on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thesoundoe
If you're into melodic hardcore/post-punk like Seven Feet Four or The Je Ne Sais Quoi you'll dig these guys too.
November's album of the month is Seven Feet Four. Along with The End Will Be Kicks who I posted a track from yesterday, these dudes are Sweden's leading purveyors of noisy, energetic indierock. It's available in both CD and mp3 format at a nice price, so check that shit out, okay?