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The Peels

MusicBlog

Location: San Francisco

Website: http://www.dimmak.com/thepeels/

Bio: There's an imposing determination in Robyn Miller's voice. Even as she belts out the dejected words, "I'll just lay, lay, laaaaaaaaayyyyyyy" you can tell that ... (more) The Peels' singer could steamroller over an entire crowd if need be. Coiled, lunging and slinking, the San Francisco band -- featuring guitarist Lane Rider, bassist Joshua Keats, and drummer Ken Small -- propels her urgent wail with ferocious 60's-tinged rock. The cross-reference seeking sorts will likely compare Miller's powerful pipes to the brassy coo of Detroit Cobras leader Rachel Nagy, as well as the brash and unabashed yelp of Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O. Sure, Miller's impassioned delivery shares the same undeniable impact, but she also brandishes a world-weary honesty reminiscent of Chrissy Hynde from the Pretenders or Carla Bozulich of the late, great Geraldine Fibbers. The Peels' self-titled debut EP kicks off with the assertive force of "Only Son," a song bolstered by ringing guitars and a surreptitious bass line that ultimately transforms the tune from sultry slinking to an eruptive anthem. Filled with super-charged Dead-Boys-meets-Beach-Boys punk rock, tracks like "Lay" and "I Only Miss You When You're Gone" hearken to the prophetic impact that the Buzzcocks and X-Ray Spex sought with their own landmark songs. However, The Peels' brand of punk bears more similarity to the dirty garage-blues of punk's early years, particularly in Keats and Rider's wall of guitars and Small's taut drumming. The Peels was formed in Seattle after Miller and Rider met on an ill-fated blind date. Pairing up with Keats and Small, the band proved to be the perfect combination of talent and reckless inspiration. The Peels fought its way to prominence armed only with its fierce determination and musicianship. Several coastal tours and appearances on festival dates helped the band quickly gain attention and support dates with such like-minded bands as the Von Bondies and The Ponys. The band recently relocated to San Francisco, caught the ear of Dim Mak’s Steve Aoki and recorded its powerful debut LP with renown producer John Goodmanson (Blonde Redhead, Hot Hot Heat) at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle. As the Peels continues to make its rapid ascent, led by Miller's incredible voice, its irrepressible strength and charm is likely to bowl over many others. Watch out! (less)