This summer, I attended and covered a lot of shows for this here blog. I felt inclined to share my opinion on what artists I enjoyed the most. 10 of them, to be specific. In no particular order, 5 locals and 5 not-so-local.
Honorable Mentions:
(locals)
Skin Tags // Shitstorm // Complainer // Swear Beam // MME // Willis
(not-so-local)
Wretched Worst // Coral Remains // Pleasure Leftists // Rough Blush // Human Bodies // Round Eye
I don't know how else to put it, this band is groovy. Noodly guitars with a tight rhythm section that makes for one of the "prettier" sounds in the St. Louis scene. Parts will make you tap your feet, other parts will make you move your whole body and the rest will simply make you just say "Yes" aloud over and over.
A psychadelic, garage rock group out of Detroit that kind of sounds like an all-girl Black Sabbath came to St. Louis and had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands. Smooth bass lines, a maestro on guitar, catchy jams and vocalist that was small in stature but large in presence and delivery.
"Posture can do anything" is something I once heard. This St. Louis three-piece lo-fi, indie rock whatachamacallit may have had the biggest buzz amongst St. Louis bands this summer, and for good reason. I must have listened to their demo 1,000 times this summer and when their Never Knows Best tape dropped, I was all over it.
Those damn Acid Kat punks introduced St. Louis to this lo-fi psychadelic garage two-piece from Ontario at Acid Kat Fest 3. Of all the bands that played AKF3, Moon Hag stood out to me the most. Shortly after AKF3, they released Terrify, a wonderfully put together tape that you can buy online or physically the next time you see those Acid Kitties wondering around.
This St. Louis math rock trio is currently my favorite act going right now. A group comprised of some of the most talented musicians in STL, all known from their other projects have come together with each of their individual styles to create a fresh and unique sound all their own.
Post-punk weirdos from Chicago, Toupee put on one of the wildest, stickiest and most entertaining shows I have been to in quite a while. If you are into pounding drums, wild and noisy guitar licks, a barrage of vocal power and having your emotions played with, please listen to Toupee.
No punk band in St. Louis is making quite the waves that Veil has been making. The aftermath of Self Help has turned to one of the biggest attractions in St. Louis. Veil is a must-see band with a must-hear sound. I am eager to hear what else they have in store.
Goner Records garage rock renegades, Nots put on a show that turned human beings into rabid animals. With a sound so powerful, aggressive and uncontrollable, it's understandable how they managed to do such a thing. They have become favorites to many in St. Louis including myself with their raw energy and I hope to keep seeing them.
These wily veterans of math rock are still pushing forward and crafting new elements to their already impressive sound. This St. Louis trio is one of the most technically sound bands around. Their songs are not short, sweet or to the point. You can never predict where Yowie is going. As soon as you think you know what's next, they make a complete 180 and all you can do is try and keep your jaw from hitting the floor.
True legends of noise and experimental music from Los Angeles came through St. Louis and played the very last show at the William A. Kerr Foundation* and what a way to say goodbye. A three-piece that may have been the loudest band I heard this summer. No telling how many songs they played, considering a lot of their songs don't reach the 30 second mark, but all of them were intense. Not a band for everyone, but to say these men are not talented would be silly.
* apparently not the last show anymore!
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