Sexbeat London

nik.mercer — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:26:20 -0700

PRE / Comanechi

Hello again and thanks for tuning in to hear the news from across the pond. This months broadcast is an introduction to a few of our favorite bands. Let me introduce Akiko. Akiko is the singer in PRE, and sings and plays drums in Comanechi. Did I mention she’s about 5 feet tall, Japanese, and plays in her pants?

Let me fill you in: PRE is a five piece noise monster who have toured with L.A.’s very own Mika Miko and No Age. To watch them is a visual delight and a sonic assault that you can't tear yourself away from for fear that they will make it to light speed and you will be left floating in space. Akiko flies across the stage like a baby who’s lost her dummy; screaming and running under the legs of her band mates in pursuit of something to pacify her. She won’t find it on stage as her minders torment her with complex and layered blasts of airborne abuse, each member crashing into the next, fighting to stay standing. After a few memorable splits with bands including Aids Wolf, Dmonstrations and Crystal Castles, the quintet released the debut LP, Epic Fits on Skingraft Records in September 2007. It plays like Erase Errata with an angry fifth member who went to summer camp with Sonic Youth and Wolf Eyes. Printed on blue vinyl boasting a sleeve with an otter with human arms welcoming you into the lion’s den.

Comanechi is Akiko’s alter ego. Comprising of her playing drums and screaming with Simon playing a guitar trembling with reverb. Where PRE are technical and multifaceted; Comanechi are raw and snarling. They are more stripped down and sludgy with similar aspects to Nirvana and Bikini Kill. Despite having only two members their sound is by no means compromised; Simon’s guitar sounds like an orchestra of grunge bands all playing the same angst ridden symphony. The band have released a few 7”s on pivotal London club White Heat’s label and plan to release their album this summer. Both bands work can be found on their split out on Merok records; PRE – Popping Showers / Comanechi – Death of You.

Check PRE and Comanechi's MySpace pages and see for yourself.

Sleeping States

Charming, alluring, enchanting, when you listen to Sleeping States you become consumed by this wonderful bubble of music. Markland Starkie is the creator of this bubble. Upon moving to London from Norwich where he played with "skronk heroes" Kaito he spawned Sleeping States.

Choosing a softer and more delicate approach to writing music Markland began to compile heaps of songs that would add a new dimension to the idea of a singer/songwriter. In September 2007 the debut Sleeping States album, There The Open Spaces was released on Misra (U.S.)/Tome (U.K.). It is a really great record full of songs that manage to evoke the same feelings as when you slip into a daydream. Devoid of any grandeur it is music that is distinctly lo-fi surrounded by this primitive and raw essence, detuned guitar parts weave in and out of each other like knotted shoelaces. At the epicenter of Sleeping States are these lullaby melodies sung with a sense of coyness and boyishness that wisp you away, forging comparison with contemporary singer/songwriters such as Will Oldham or Vincent Gallo.

When listening to Markland’s words they appear incredibly assured for a 23-year-old. Unlike most singer/songwriters he doesn’t rip out his bleeding heart and wear it on his sleeve, everything is much more subtle. From experiencing the contrast between town and city his lyrics are more observations conjuring images of escapism. These are topics, which prevail throughout There the Open Spaces.

To watch Sleeping States play live is a very different experience. I remember my nemesis took me to their show and I was blown away. The music blossoms, things get chaotic, toy microphones, lots of weird sounds and freak outs, yet it still retains its sense of charm. Recently Sleeping States released a cover of Throwing Muse’s "Call Me" on the newly founded 7” singles label Felt Tip records, which rekindle the spirit of live performances. It begins, typically, with a luscious vocal melody before erupting into this wonderful frantic pop song. I think this is only the beginning of many wonderful pop songs.

Sleeping States' MySpace page