Cutlass Supreme – ‘Heads Will Roll’ (Remix of Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

This remix is fresh – as in, it  landed in my inbox apparently only minutes after it finished the mastering process. Though I can’t reveal who Cutlass Supreme are (they’re keeping that under wraps until they release their EP), I can tell you they’re signed to Ministry and are super-duo of sorts, half of whom have received a fair bit of love ’round these parts before. Expect that EP in about month and then an LP early next year.

Above is their bootleg remix of Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ ‘Head Will Roll,’ which retains the original’s chorus and recognisable organ figure, but makes it even more likely one would dance (and die?). It’s fairly transformative, treating the original like more of a canvas than the paint, adding in synth bass, filtered breakdowns and some original vocals.

Also, they don’t have a Myspace yet.

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Dark Bells – ‘Fallen Time’

Hot on the heels of Canvas Kites comes Dark Bells, another post-Mercy Arms (and Diamondback Rattler) three-piece based in Sydney. ‘Fallen Time’ sounds kind of like a Howling Bells song mixed with the chorused bass-lines of early 80s (ie. amazing) Cure records – it’s got both a subdued, haunting quality whilst at times also managing to soar. A quick scan of the other songs on their Myspace reveals plenty more modulated, icy sounds and crawling basslines for those who enjoy the sound of the above track. The band have been Myspace members for about a fortnight now, so probably don’t expect a big release from them soon. Whenever it finally drops, I’ll be hoping it sounds a lot like the stuff they’re putting out now.

www.myspace.com/thedarkbells

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Unlike the birds vs humans hype of yesterweek, this is a marketing ploy that shows effort and intelligence from a small band and is actually related to music. Melbourne band The Little Stevies have made a short film/skit about their band cycling around the entire world, inspired by the lyrics of their own song ‘Dink You’ – for which this clip is ostensibly a promotional tool. It’s sa bit different to the usual film clip and so it gets attention, while incidentally exposing viewers to their music without feeling force fed. It’s a tad cheesy, yes, but there are some funny moments and it’s generally a good idea.

Below is the abridged version, which is probably all you need as a first time listener and not-yet-fan. I’m told they’ll be launching a full video next Tuesday for those keen to experience the full fruits of their labour.

Dink You (Abridged) {Pre-release Preview} from The Little Stevies on Vimeo.

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Sia – ‘Bring It To Me’

Firstly, commiserations to C W Stoneking, whose nomination in the ‘Breakthrough Artist (Album)’ category was bumped after a calculations error. (Update: word from the man himself is that he was ineligible since his last album was already nominated for an Aria). Secondly, congratulations to Sia, who has is now a contender in said category for her album Some People Have Real Problems alongside her previously-announced nomination for ‘Best Music DVD.’

To commemorate her new nomination, I’ve been sent what is ostensibly an Australian-exclusive. ‘Bring It To Me’ is an outtake from the Some People Have Real Problems sessions, which is largely unreleased except “maybe as a b-side on one of the formats somewhere internationally.” Regardless, I’d not heard it and I’m fairly sure anyone outside of the Sia fanclub won’t have heard it either.

So is it worth hearing? It’s an odd track that mixes Sia’s twee-pop tendencies with a Spaghetti Western backdrop and a chorus that shoots for Santigold. ‘Bring It To Me’ not as good as ‘Buttons’ for sure, but I actually think they should’ve made room for this cut on the album. What do you think?

www.myspace.com/siamusic

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The Bon Scotts – ‘The Kids Are Coming’

It’s not the worst name in the world, but it’s up there with ‘Primal Scream’ as the most misleading. I initially ignored these guys because I figured that one AC/DC was already one too many in my life. But, as it turns out, these guys aren’t pub rock aficionados at all and I’ve been foolishly dismissing them for god knows how long. This is what I get for judging a book by its cover. This is also what a book gets for having a misleading cover.

Streaming above for your pleasure is a song that you definitely won’t hear blasted at any sports/Irish bars. It’s far too quirky and acoustic for that, and what it lacks in shirtless, hairy machismo it makes up for with contagious feeling of child-like joy. If the kids are coming, it’s because this song sounds a bit like The Middle East if The Middle East were happy and loud.

www.myspace.com/thebonscotts

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Kasha – ‘Let A Storm’

Canberra – aka the ‘scream-o’ capital of Australia from what I’m told – doesn’t get a lot of attention from the music world, probably because the aforementioned rep it has. Also because it’s kinda small. But don’t forget it’s also from whence Young & Restless (RIP) hailed. Now they’ve also produced Kasah, a four-piece on the verge of releasing their debut EP after becoming the lucky recipients of the Australian Council’s ‘Soundclash’ funding program, which is awarded to music that’s “innovative within a pop music context” (that’s a paraphrase).

By ‘lucky,’ I didn’t mean to suggest that Kasha were undeserving. The above track is off said EP and it’s definitely a promising start. I hear shades of My Disco in there, and their playful attitude towards the time signature hints to a love of Battles. ‘Let A Storm’ sounds like someone took a pop song and then just played another song over the top, and the CD started skipping in the bridge. It’s energetic and raw and is a good example of why brain and braun aren’t mutually exclusive.

www.myspace.com/kashaband

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