"Five For Friday" with Chicago fuzz rock trio She Rides Tigers

SHE RIDES TIGERS is a raucous three-piece rock band from Chicago that is crafting dangerous rock&roll music, both raw and visceral, on the verge of crumbling beneath its sonic weight. Consisting of Joe O’Leary (guitar, vocals), James Scott (bass, vocals) and Matt McGuire (drums), The band delivers their own brand of fuzzed-out psychedelic rock and Americana with the devil-may-care attitude and melodic tendencies of Britpop. Their debut E.P. "Standing On The Edge" comes out June 20th. The band shares some of their favorite songs in this weeks edition of "Five For Friday" but first check out the video for their latest single "Roll With It"

The Smiths "How Soon Is Now"

Joe-I begrudgingly accept nowadays that I love this song and always have, though I wouldn't have admitted it when I was 16 and way into the punk rock scene. The song is both saddening and sexy at the same time, with some of the most brilliantly expressive guitar playing I've ever heard. Johnny Marr will always be one of my very top guitar heroes because he knows exactly how to balance pure artistic expression with absolute service to the song. It's his voice. Morrissey kills it on vocals of course, but Johnny does an amazing version of this song all on his own these days with his current band.

Funkadelic "Super Stupid"

Joe-This sounds like a party. The huge, fuzzed-out funky guitar riff leads the charge and kind of sets the mood for this freak show of a song. The beat is super groovy yet huge. I can never get enough of this song and put it on anytime I get the chance to play DJ at a party. The singing is soulful and wild, and everything is kind of delightfully sloppy throughout. There's just something untamed and slightly dangerous to this sweaty unapologetic song that embodies everything rock&roll is about.

Barkmarket "Visible Cow"

James-This is the first Barkmarket song that I was exposed to. Upon a friend's recommendation, I found a copy of the album L Ron and put it on in the car. From the first chord sliding around the twangy acoustic guitar and Dave Sardy's scratchy, pitch imperfect delivery, I was hooked and cranked the stereo. When the rest of the band kicked - in way too loud, it should be noted - I'm quite sure a speaker blew. My mind blew. All of the right buttons were being pushed and my teenage rage took over again. "Visible Cow" opened my eyes to embracing the slop, scratch, click, and bang in music, and I've never quite recovered from that first listen.

Burning Airlines "Outside The Aviary"

J. Robbins has been my musical compass for about 25 years now. This song perfectly balances the elements what I think make him such an important musician and songwriter. Punk rock roots, pop melodies, aggressive deliveries, a ridiculously tight rhythm section, and that bass tone. Oh, that bass tone. I'll be chasing that tone for the rest of my life. I'll buy anything that J. Robbins touches.

Pink Floyd "Waiting For The Worms"

Matt-This is probably the single song I can point to that made me want to be in a band. Its also cool we get to put up a video link because the visuals for this song are just as important to me as the song itself. I remember going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with my parents on summer vacation as a kid and seeing this portion of The Wall in an exhibit. The image of the marching hammers was so earth shattering to me at the time. The song itself is bizarre and dark and unlike anything I'd heard before. I come back to this song a lot.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Ancient Psychic "Dream Punk" (aptwe.bandcamp.com)

"Dream Punk" is the debut album from Boise Idaho based eight piece unit Ancient Psychic. The album opens with the title track which serves as an intoxicating intro of what's to come. The crisp guitar sounds and shifting tones throughout "Handlebar's And Pegs" set a relaxing psychedelic mood with it's layers of reverberating vocals. Things swing into a more psychotic mood as the band blast into the experimental sounds of "Trippin". "Fresh Paint" is a captivating song full of dreamy undertones. It's one of my favorite songs on the record with it's thumping bass line, jangling guitars and atmospheric flavor while the exquisite "Animal Farm" builds on a laid back lulling feel like a warm comforting blanket on a cold winters night. The album closes with the lo-fi folk driven "How Do U Wake Up". It's a fitting ending to a truly impressive record by an incredible new band. Highly recommended.

Away "Those Places" LP (awayband.bandcamp.com)

The new ten track about from German instrumental outfit Away is a highly intricate and highly calculated body of work. First and foremost the songs show off an amazing level of musicianship as everything is so well produced, played and recorded. Unlike many bands of the "Post Rock" genre these tracks are actually all under four minutes long and many are under three which allows for each track to nicely make it's statement and complement the next. My personal favorite piece of the album is "Shining Tears". It moves in an orchestral way and features a shuffling beat and some dark moving undertones while keeping things refreshingly uptempo. Other highlights include the atmospheric sounds of "A View From The Balcony", and the speedy frantic "Fragments" which makes me think what it be like if Bad Religion made a reverb drenched instrumental. A top notch record across the Board.

Everyone But Me S/T E.P. (everyonebutme.bandcamp.com)

Made up of Nick Bain & Jason Grady Columbus Ohio's Everyone But Me have produced a fantastic debut E.P. that echoes the sounds of classic shoegaze and dream pop bands while adding their own direction as well. "Isn't Far" is an epic seven plus minute opener full of droning guitars, hypnotic rhythms and sonic sounds that make you feel like you've woken up in another world. "Say Farewell" has an incredible sounding guitar melody that matches perfectly with the lushly textured vocals. "Just Like Anyone" takes you further and further into space with it's mysteriously captivating presence while "I Never Believed You" and "Still Not Enough" brighten everything with rays of vibrant sonic soundscapes. A breathtakingly beautiful release.

Inner Wolves "Valkyrie" E.P. (innerwolves.bandcamp.com)

Crushing debut release from Inner Wolves that features four intense blasts of no fills guitar driven fury. It's certainly a take no prisoners attitude as each of these numbers hits with precise power. The whispering voices in "Fall From Valhalla" add to an already haunting vibe while the sonic threshold reaches new heights during "Hammer". "Muddy Lullaby" really showcases the playing of the rhythm section as the bass and drums really shine. Add in it's stellar production and you have a short, mean and to the point E.P. that's ready to destroy.

Pershagen "Silverarken" E.P. (pershagen.bandcamp.com)

The debut E.P. from Swedish instrumentalists Pershagen is an excellent collection of grey sounding guitar based pieces fitting for a walk shortly after a midnight thunderstorm. Opening track "Hela vägen hem" is a melancholy, moody piece that shows off the ambient side of the band. It's slow moving and some what jazzy and allows a lot of room for the band to move. "Silverarken" is even darker yet more textured as it incorporates some beautiful slide playing that reminds me of Daniel Lanois. "1935" is the most epic of three songs with a bit more gritty guitar tones and some amazing dynamics. A promising effort that leaves me wanting more.

She Rides Tigers "Roll With It" Single (sheridestigers.bandcamp.com)

Chicago's She Rides Tigers deliver with "Roll With It", the second single from their upcoming E.P. "Standing On The Edge". The guitar fuzz and rock n roll swag go into high gear as the band have created their most infectious song to date. There's an undeniable groove and sway to this in the vein of T Rex, early Alice Cooper and Slade. Simply put this is an essential blast of in your face rock n roll in it's purest form.

6 Records CMM Wants You To Know

Evil Arrows E.P. "Five" (evilarrows.bandcamp.com)

Channeling the spirits of T Rex, David Bowie and Queen, New York City's Evil Arrows deliver another batch of top notch tracks with the fifth installment of their E.P. series. Opening number "Dance With Me Louie" feature Bryan Scary's flamboyant vocals and a delicate touch of Enoesque synths. "Imitation Isle" adds a bit of jazz to the mix alongside it's catchy chorus and psych fueled guitar leads. Match those with the folk rock sounds of "Married To The Family Tree" and "Lordy Boxcar" and we are well submerged in a state of glam rock bliss. The shimmering tones continue on "False Alarm" with it's perfect blend of a Spector land beat and pop rock sense ability while "The Sunday Mope" can only be described as a piano pumping masterpiece. "Old Palace Moon" closes out our cosmic journey in grand fashion. It's both theatrical and epic and fades out with a hint of hope in what's to come. A true gem of an E.P. that blossoms with fervor and beauty.

North Division "Distraction Of Nothing" E.P. (northdivisionband.bandcamp.com)

Quite a power packed release from this Southhampton England outfit. "Smother Me" is a nasty full throttle opener that captures all the energy and angst of early 80's hardcore. It closes with sheets of ear piercing noise that leads to "No Consequence No Understanding" a mind numbing experimental piece full of backwards sounds and spoken words. I enjoy the captivating drones and ambient undertones. "Coalesce" is a more melodic track that comes off like a mix of Husker Du and Wire. It's dark sounds and distant reverb treated vocals mesh well with the galloping beat and desolate guitars. These moody, cold and crushing sounds certainly leave me wanting more.

She Rides Tigers "Chase The Flame" Single (sheridestigers.bandcamp.com)

This debut single from Chicago's She Rides Tigers is an impressive psychedelic rock n roll anthem. Think Placebo mixed with "Peppermint" E.P. era Sloan. Joe O'Leary sings with power while laying down some outstanding fuzz drenched guitar leads as the pounding rhythm section of bassist James Scott & drummer Matt McGuire take the energy over the top. This has one of those choruses that you can't resist singing along to. Get into it.

The Strange Land S/T Cassette (strangelandsf.bandcamp.com)

San Francisco's The Strange Land really impress with this incredible eight song album. "Melt" is a blistering post rock number in the spirit of Rozz Williams era Christian Death. "Time Wave" moves into more garage rock territory but still has a dark ominous feel to it that flows through the entire album. "X-Rays" sets the pace for another punk infused barn burner that lies somewhere between The Germs and The Cramps. The instrumental "Psychic Reality" is slower and features some acoustic guitars matched with pulsating electric leads that would make a fitting soundtrack to an acid induced western motion picture. Album closer "Inside Your Head" is any energetic send off to one of the most infectious and haunting rock n roll albums to come along in some time. Highly recommended indeed.

The Village Bicycle "Turtle Dove" Single (thevillagebicycle.bandcamp.com)

This gang from Cleveland O.H. have been making excellent music for the last five years and "Turtle Dove" is a fine addition to their ever expanding catalog. It's a highly enjoyable song that evokes a positive energy and spirit, moving through several parts at a very quick pace with it's spaced out sounds and beautiful dual female vocals. The guitars glide back and forth between a surf-ish twang and a 3 chord punk rock n roll riff. Think Headcoatees, and The Ramones. Quite an appealing blend of garage rock and psychedelic pop.

To The Wedding "Silver Currents" E.P. (tothewedding.bandcamp.com)

To The Wedding is the project of Bay Area musician Lauren Grubb. Her latest E.P. "Silver Currents" is a heart felt collection of breathtakingly beautiful songs. "Come On" has a soothing, lulling vibe that wields psychedelic guitar tones around Grubb's captivating voice. The title track casts dark shadows that move at an eerie pace and add a heavy aspect of mystery. The chilling cold drones of "86velocity" loom overhead creating an interlude that serves as a sonic cleansing of the palette while "Set Fire" is certainly the most intense song on the record. Starting with a simple acoustic guitar riff and Grubbs reverb drenched voice the song builds into a crushing riff that brings to mind the likes of Low, "A Sun That Never Sets" era Neurosis and PJ Harvey. The E.P. is capped off with the atmospheric sounds of "Time Pilot". This track is absolutely huge and evokes a feeling that is both warm and inspiring. A stellar record to say the least.