Sideprojects

So my first post was, essentially, a side-project post. Truth be told, although there are many new bands doing exciting things out there, the people that have the means to record these ideas so that they don't sound wind-tunnelesque are people that already have the contacts and equipment - for example from their main, well-known band.

Pin Me Down are a collaboration between Bloc Party's Russell Lissack and New York based songstress Milena Mepris. You can usually catch Russell peering at his guitar from under the seemingly Loreal-sponsored fringe that covers most of his face like cousin It's indie twin. His staccato guitar hooks are still present alongside the electronic dance beats and pop tunes, and blend well with Kylie, ehem, I mean Milena's vocals. Together, the pair of them make some very acceptable party tunes that I'm sure will be on the stereo at my barbecues this summer.

Foxboro Hot Tubs are a very different side-project. Rumoured to consist, basically, of all three members of the present Green Day line-up, it could be described as the pop-punk trio doing the twist. They may be retro to the max, however the same squeaky-clean sound that has dominated the band's recordings since Warning prevails. Billie Joe has disguised his vocals slightly on a few songs such as Mother Mary, but are pretty recognisable on the brilliant Stop Drop and Roll. I hope they do some gigs as the new outfit so I can put on shiny shoes, and get retro.