Image from MySpace

What’s the Deal: Although they may share neighboring shelf space in record stores and similar vowel sounds with the DC reggae/punk band, their music couldn’t be more different. These two blonde Cincinnati boys, Benjamin Davis and Sebastien Schultz, have come up with a fairly affecting mixture of perky pop and sweetly vulnerable indie rock. Well, to be fair there is a third member; she’s a 1973 reel-to-reel for playback of background mixes named Irene. They’ve built up a little steam recently on the music blogs, and of course they’re headed to Austin for SXSW.

The duo uses synth, guitar, vocals through megaphones and telephones as well as a little help from Irene to create a sound that’s full of melody, occasional orchestral grandeur and enough grit to keep the ends frayed in all the right places. “The Lie” slowly stands with muted vocals and some warm keys, but becomes bold with all the buzzing, chirping, crashing and vocals that remind us a little of Julian Casablancas of The Strokes.

Something Interesting: The duo has done only limited touring and has only released an EP of demo versions of four tracks.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Afraid” and “Falling Tide”

Bad Veins MySpace

Image from MySpace

What’s the Deal: They’re a local trio of gals and a guy that all add vocals from time to time to their strong, garagey, psych rock and roll sound. Of course, you’ll be able to find their fuzzy guitars forging ahead supported by reliable licks and punky, excitable vocals for their fourth year playing South by. But, as soon as March 11th their brand new CD, Pardon Me, Are Those Your Claws On My Back?, will be released for national consumption. Locals will be able to get it a little early, however, at Waterloo during their in-store on March 7th.

“Couldn’t Believe It Blues” off the upcoming Pardon Me is a little slow to start and kind of trudges along, but soon takes shape into wild rock and roll number. It’s not so much ‘wild’ in the sense of being fast and brutal, but rather in the manner of being untamed and having the guitars and vocals, which sing “cause now I’m a junkie baby, and you’re my smack” at one point, go off in their own directions at times. “My Weakness” from their 2006 debut, Medium Freaky, possesses an energy and potency in the pushiness of the guitars and vocals that makes for a great rock and roll freak-out.

Something Interesting: Singer and guitar player Baldomero Valdez was once the drummer for the local group The Strange Attractors and Kelsey Wickliffe is in Les Petit Championettes.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “One Arm Man”

Faceless Werewolves MySpace