 | The Steps |
There are certainly a shit-ton of good up and coming bands coming out of Austin currently. Of course there is White Denim, Boxing Lesson, and now we can add The Steps to the list. I have been checking out this self-titled LP , and it is some damn good stuff. They have some cool Strokes/Hives-esque moments intertwined with some cool solos and more traditional melodies that all combine to make a very good record.
These guys are certainly not trying to reinvent the wheel here, and the album can be largely described in a larger category of ‘rock out’, but they kind of explore a lot of different areas within that. The sound is mostly a driving power chord rock, rhythm and bass sound with some sweet guitar solos and backing harmonies thrown in for good measure. I guess I would somewhat describe it as Peter Moren (sounds a lot like him) singing songs that run the gamut back and forth between the Strokes and Teenage Fanclub. It is some really solid stuff. Songs like “Dagger” and “Miss High Heels” would certainly fit the prior description. “Cold Floors” and “Loose Mind” have that distinctive Hives-style blues power chord rock progression. Then songs like “Pull The Cord” (the opener), “Belle” and “Washed Up” head more in the more melodic power pop direction. It never really feels too awkward though when they go from one to another though, and the album as a whole never feels too schizophrenic. As I said, the songs all are pretty upbeat and rock and roll so even though the stylistic choices may differ from song to song, it still all fits together pretty well.
This album is some incredibly solid straightforward rock and roll that gives you a great mix of fast paced rock outs and guitar solos, which are two things I am a huge fan of, so certainly check this one out.
They are touring this Spring, unfortunately I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing them live yet, but their album has a type of sound and songs that would set up perfectly for an energetic and great live show, so I’m sure you would be well served checking them out. Plus they will be at SXSW, in addition to these dates:
Feb 7 2009 10:00P Vinyl **Time Change Atlanta, Georgia
Feb 8 2009 9:00P Exit/In Nashville, Tennessee
Feb 9 2009 10:00P Emerald Lounge Asheville, North Carolina
Feb 11 2009 10:00P Bel Rio Charlottesville, Virginia
Feb 12 2009 11:00P Milestone Charlotte, North Carolina
Feb 18 2009 10:00P Stubb’s w/Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights Austin, Texas
Feb 19 2009 10:00P Fitzwilly’s w/Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights College Station, Texas
Mar 5 2009 10:00P Pangea w/ Fastball & other special guests Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2009 3:00P SXSW Music Festival Austin, Texas
May 2 2009 6:00P Pecan Street Festival w/The Boxing Lesson, nelo, and more! Austin, Texas
