5 Favorite New Bands of 2008

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Kheris

Kheris is a fantastic local modern rock band that deserves a national listen. Personally, I have no idea why these guys don’t have a label deal yet. This band – Steve Slesser (Vocals, Guitar), Keith Slesser (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Aaron Gagne (Drums, Vocals), Rob Nye (Bass Guitar), Kyle Kettering (Horns, Keys, Vocals) – consistently produces lyrics, melodies, and arrangements that would hold their own on any Top 40 list in the country. All they lack is proper promotion, marketing, and free time to work on their craft. In other words, if you have anything to do with signing bands, you need to give Kheris a listen!

Steve, Keith, Aaron, Rob, and Kyle are a group of Christian men that are devoted to producing and playing modern-rock. The contemporary Christian music scene is plagued by bands who attempt to play a Christianized version of real rock, but only end up sounding like wannabe hacks who can’t write lyrics without constantly consulting their trusty handbook of contemporary Christian cliches. We all have, after all, heard the Christian Pearl Jam aka Third Day, right? Point made, right? Kheris is a living, breathing, walking example of a band of Christian men that not only can actually play good modern rock, but also are dedicated to the craft that is modern rock. There is a very real difference between a “Christian Rock Band” and a “Band Of Christians Who Can Play Modern-rock.” If this difference is not clear or obvious, one listen to Kheris will resolve that issue for you straight away.

The band’s power-pop rock has, according to their MySpace page, “a subtle psychedelic twist that gives it a refreshingly unique and engaging sound.” Their lyrical content both challenges the mind and inspires the heart, the way good music should. If you are a fan of great modern-rock, and are looking for new music to load into your iPod, then give Kheris a listen. It’s more than worth it. Also, the band is putting the final touches on their first full-length album. The yet-to-be-titled album is scheduled for a December release, last time I heard. Favorite Songs: Wasting Time (Kheris EP); Hurricane (Kheris EP); ReLapse (Kheris EP).

Kheris’ EP is available on iTunes.

Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on Keith and Lauren Slesser’s incredible gifts for worship leading (an act that is very, very different from playing in a modern-rock band!). Keith (Kheris’ Lead Guitarist) and his wonderful wife have been leading worship at our church plant in Lancaster City (Inner Metro Green) for the past few months. They are incredibly awesome people and really great friends. Keith is a skilled musician and he has a pastor’s heart, for sure. Lauren is incredibly talented as well. In fact, she’s recording an album of hymns at the moment. We are having a good time leading and dreaming about this church plant! Maybe we are having too good of a time? Nah! Anyway, Kheris is good folk.

Flogging Molly

Flogging Molly is great rock n’ roll, period. There is also a noticeable dash of punk influence in their music, which only makes them more raw, if not somewhat reckless sounding. A splash of Celtic veneer completes every song and the resulting sound is very, very unique. Flogging Molly is a very welcome sound in this era of artificial sounding over-production and talent masking. Favorite Songs: “If I Ever Leave This World Alive (Alive Behind The Green Door); Another Bag of Bricks (Drunken Lullabies); The Sun Never Shines On Closed Doors (Drunken Lullabies).

Bon Iver

Bon Iver (pronounced “bohn eevair”) epitomizes the indi/folk sound and vibe. Again, this sound and vibe are welcome entities in this world of abused loops and obviously auto-tuned, stretched voices. Justin Vernon recorded For Emma, Forever Ago in a cabin in Wisconsin, with very basic recording equipment. The result was nine refreshingly honest sounding tracks laden with emotion, unction, and atmosphere. Favorite Songs: Creature Fear (For Emma, Forever Ago); For Emma (For Emma, Forever Ago).

Fleet Foxes

Neo-hippies everywhere rejoice! Seattle is more than grunge, thankfully! Fleet Foxes is a folk-rock band (more folk than rock, honestly) that claims an unlikely genesis in the former grunge capital of the universe: Seattle. Their box-car sound, however, if comparable to anything at all, leans more towards the Dylan-esque than it does Pearl Jam, Nirvana, or typical Sub Pop. This group may at first seem like a sixties nostalgia act, but they are so much more than a throwback. They are full blown folk artistry producing tranquil and hypnotic soundscapes that will either put you to sleep or excite some sort of action. Favorite Songs: Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Fleet Foxes); He Doesn’t Know Why (Fleet Foxes).

TV on The Radio

Axl Rose should have listened to TV on The Radio’s Dear Science before he finally let go of the musical and commercial flop that is Chinese Democracy. TV on The Radio does what Axl tried in vain to accomplish: Coherently mix and blend an endless number of artistic styles, genres, concepts and influences into one enjoyable compilation of experimental rock (the key word being “coherently”). Some may mistakenly use the term “experimental” to refer to the “state of being lost,” but TVotR vividly proves that to properly experiment one should know exactly where one is at any and every given moment. Excremental as Dear Science sounds, listeners will never wonder if TVotR got lost somewhere along the way. The coherency of this body of work is quite remarkable, given the many musical concepts represented. TVotR is quite possibly the most talented and enjoyable new band I have personally discovered in 2008. Favorite Songs: Family Tree (Dear Science); DLZ (Dear Science).

Incidentally, there is a lyrical citation of Axl Rose in a TVotR song called Dancing Choose: I see you figured in your action pose / Foam-injected Axl Rose / Life size / Should something shake you and you drop the news / Lord, just keep your dancing shoes / Off mine. So, maybe Axl did hear this album? If he did, he wasn’t paying attention, obviously. Chinese Democracy gets the biggest musical flop of 2008 award.

The Year’s Surprise: Coldplay

No, Coldplay is not new, but the band’s music is very new to me. Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends is the first Coldplay album I have ever owned. Prior to Viva la Vida, the band was ignored and avoided like a flu strain. Surprisingly, I enjoy their latest musical offering … a lot. The band does the alternative-rock sound well and their hiring of Brian Eno as producer did nothing but bring out the very best in the band. Coldplay is as close to a U2/Sting (1999-present) hybrid as once can get. That’s a good thing too. Favorite Songs: Viva la Vida (Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends); Death and All His Friends (Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends).

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