Howdy, Brian Coney here (stuck in some strange dimension where people greet each other with "Howdy"). Let it be known: at That New Band Smell we are all about diversity and mixing things - i.e. genres - up. Indeed, while the idea of following up the most twee of indie-pop with the downright blackest of Scandinavian metal seems perfectly natural on this segment, this week I've chosen three up-and-coming bands that are different yet totally accessible in equal measure.
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Lost Avenue - 'Ethanol'
Much in the vein of another young local band I featured on That New Band Smell recently, The Late Two's, Derry-based three-piece Lost Avenue play a distinctly rollicking brand of no-frills punk/garage rock. Listing amongst their influences the likes of Libertines, Babyshambles and Blur, the band will come good on the promise they currently show if they can take the unbridled energy contained on 'Ethanol' whilst simultaneously aiming to develop a part of their own sound that makes them stand out.
Fred and Bob - 'Lady'
Despite what their name might suggest - something I personally believe they wouldn't be foolish to change - Fred and Bob are a Dublin based alt-rock band comprising three girls and one guy. Seemingly on the road to carving out their own punchy brand of mildly anthemic, instantly memorable rock, 'Lady' is the second song from their brand new, four-track Anti-Gravity Love EP (well worth a listen if you're naturally inclined towards the vibes of 'Lady').
The Institute* - 'Bees'
Taken from their forthcoming three-track debut EP titled Hopefully, 'Bees' is opening track from mid-Ulster "acid prog" quartet The Institute*. With a penchant for rhythmic shifts and intricate guitar/bass passages, the band's overall angle, whilst certainly comparable to certain instrumental aspects of ASIWYFA and Kasper Rosa, retains its own distinctive sound. Whilst "early days" for the band, I am convinced they will do great things over the course of a full-length album.