CMJ: EXCLUSIVE NEW DOWNLOAD: Royal Bangs - Little Switzerland + Two More
Royal Bangs are from Knoxville, an eastern Tennessee town probably known more for NASCAR and the University of Tennensse than any tradition of rock music. But that isn’t to say that their collapsing, arty garage rock doesn’t keep with some semblance of Southern hospitality. What I’m saying is, while these guys might sound like their banging away at anything they can get their hands on, crashing through cleverly-crafted songs that sound like the MC5 with RISD degrees, they never manage to sound uptight or elite. Case in point: “Little Switzerland,” a tune whose verse is punctuated with some optimistic yelps and lingering maracas. WHO DOESN’T LOVE MARACAS? Aside from the triangle, they are easily the most democratic of percussion instruments. All you do is shake them! For CMJ'ers that want to play air maracas (count me in), Royal Bangs will be playing their showcase at the Cake Shop on Saturday, 10/25 at 11PM. For those that just want to hear a phenomenal young band, you'll find three songs from their album We Breed Champions—including the exclusive "Little Switzerland"—below.
Sounds like: White Denim, Weezer's Pinkerton, Pavement
Exclusive Download: Royal Bangs - Little Switzerland
Download: Royal Bangs - Broke Calculator
Download: Royal Bangs - Let's Get Even
