Tiger Beat's Keepers Of The Flame

New Neo-Psychedelic Nuggets
featuring
The Moons, Marble Vanity

The Green Pajamas & Research Turtles

Friday, February 01, 2013

The Moons

This four piece combo hail from Northampton, England and have released two exceptional LP's --- 2010's 'Life On Earth' and last year's 'Fables Of History.' The band's leader and principle songwriter, Andy Crofts was previously a working member of The On-Offs. Today, in addition to piloting 'The Moons,' the handsome frontman also plays in Paul Weller's current band where he's featured on keyboards. The Moons other members include guitarist James Edward Bagshaw, bassist/keyboardist Tom Warmsley, and drummer James Gordelier. As for that 5th guy, nobody knows exactly who he might be. Nor do we know just how he ended up in the photograph, but as we do know, boys will be boys!

Collectively, 'The Moons' like fast cars, seaside holidays in Brighton, East Indian curry dishes, pints with the lads, listening to old records, getting into mischief, and pretty girls in short dresses. You can probably guess what that means. These Brits are Fab Gear!!

Marble Vanity

You likely already have a marble vanity somewhere in your home or apartment (no doubt in the loo, we'd expect!), but rest assured it's nothing like the one you're about to hear! This Marble Vanity happens to be a supergroup of sorts (or so we're told). They're comprised of former members of CoCoComa, Hollows, and The Hipshakes (no, we've never heard of them either, but then we don't live in Chicago where Marble Vanity reside and presumably so did those other bands). That also includes Lisa and Bill Roe, the proprietors of Trouble In Mind Records (the group's headquarters and its associated record label). Although we're not entirely certain, we suspect that the guy on the right is Bill since he kind of looks like a record store clerk. Meanwhile his bandmate in the fringe jacket bears a remarkable resemblance to actor, Owen Wilson, wouldn't you agree? How groovy!

The birds and bees in Marble Vanity admire what they call the '2nd tier' bands from the 1960's (i.e. bands that were influenced by bigger, more popular groups like The Beatles, The Byrds, or The Stones, and then recorded with the intention of sounding like them, but failing in the most glorious of ways. That translates into forgotten groups like The Index, The Bachs, and Yellow Balloon. Wow! Now that's what we call 'reaching for the stars!' But seriously, we're not actually so certain that those heights are necessarily the best thing to which to aspire. In their defense however, Marble Vanity also believes that sometimes you can inadvertently end up creating something unique unto itself. This daring foursome would certainly like to think so, and so do we! Go for it, guys!

Yet here's something else. Because they record for such a very small label, Marble Vanity's self-titled debut record is limited to only 500 copies. Gee whiz! When you consider everything, you can't help but wonder whether Marble Vanity themselves might just end up being '2nd tier' like their heroes. But we think you should give this deserving band a fighting chance!

The Green Pajamas

The PJ's have actually been around since the halcyon days of 1984. No wonder that guy in front looks so old! Founded in Seattle, Washington, the Pajamas are probably the earliest of the 'new neo-psychedelic' bands. In our music mix below, we've taken selections from what was actually the band's debut called, 'Summer Of Lust.' Back in that D.I.Y. era, The Green Pajamas believe it or not, released it on cassette tape! Remember those? Do you think they still use a VCR too? No, we're only kidding. Except for their sound, their thoroughly modern now. That's why last year, 'Summer Of Lust' was re-released (on CD this time!) and therefore in some ways, it almost qualifies as 'new' again. Not quite, but almost. 

Despite The Green Pajamas being among the silliest of names we've ever heard (and we've heard plenty!), it doesn't seem to have had any affect on them personally, or on their popularity. This 5 piece outfit (4 guys and 1 girl) have managed to carry on for nearly 30 years now! And in that time they've recorded almost 25 records! While they may be a bit older, today they can proudly claim to play their instruments a whole lot better than they did before!

Research Turtles 

Speaking of silly names, here's another one, but the Research Turtles are anything but witless! These four Louisiana lads make a joyous noise, plying their own brand of Brit-Pop from deep within the American South. Under the direction of bassist Jud Norman, Research Turtles have been a bit of a revolving door when it comes to personnel since they first formed in 2004, but now they've settled into a powerful foursome with an equal number of solid LP's to their credit. Today in addition to Jud, Research Turtles members include Joseph Darbonne who sings and plays the lead guitar, Logan Fontenot who handles the rhythm guitar parts, and newcomer Chad Townsend now occupies the drummers stool. And hello, girls! These handsome young men are very single! Here's the Tiger Beat lowdown on each member:

Jud

 Likes: Motorcycles, cafes, Jellyfish (the band), things that are round

Dislikes: Wine snobs, chocolate cookies, running shoes, shrill sounds

Pet Peeves: Bad P.A. systems

Favorite Foods: Muffuletta sandwiches, Po' Boys, apples

Favorite Movie: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes

Favorite Color: Navy Blue

Joseph

Likes: New gadgets, good stereo systems, The Who

Dislikes: Fishing, anything red, "being alone"

Pet Peeves: Cigarette smoke

Favorite Snack Foods: Cheese doodles, M&M's, dill pickles, ice cream

Favorite Books: The Nick Tosches Reader

Favorite Color: Heather Green

Logan

Likes: Brunettes, drive-in movies, rum and coke

Dislikes: Chinese food, mp3's, "being asked too many questions"

Pet Peeves: Leaf blowers

Favorite Beverages: Rum and Coke, Red Bull

Favorite Records:

The Kinks 'Something Else,' Flip Wilson 'The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress'

Favorite Color: Crimson with Gold Paisley

Chad

Likes: Sleeping on the couch, channel surfing, drive-thru banking,

  "getting a chance to solo"

Dislikes: Haircuts, doing laundry, fruit, when someone says

"Whadda ya' call a drummer without a girlfriend? Homeless!"

Pet Peeves: Broken foot pedals, "not getting a chance to solo,"

when someone says

"What do premature ejaculations and drum solos share in common?

You can feel them about to happen and there's nothing you can do to stop them."

 Favorite Foods: Potato chips, pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, onion rings

Favorite Beverages: Beer

Favorite Books: Japanese Manga

Favorite Color: Black

The Music

Tiger Beat's New Neo-Psychedelic Nuggets

1) Forever Came Today
2) Revolutionary Lovers
The Moons
3) Katie Lied
The Green Pajamas
4) Time Machine
Research Turtles
5) Autumn Woods
6) You're Older Now
Marble Vanity
7) Dance With The Angels
The Green Pajamas
8) Jennifer (Sits Alone)
9) Something Soon
The Moons
10) What Could Go Wrong
Marble Vanity
11) It's Taking Over
The Moons
12) Guy Like Me
13) The Fancy
Research Turtles
14) Assemble
Marble Vanity
15) I Feel That Way All The Time
The Green Pajamas
16) Nothing Left
Marble Vanity
17) Can You See Me
The Moons
18) Damn
Research Turtles
19) English Summer
20) Double Vision Love
The Moons
21) The Hole Is Filling In
Marble Vanity
22) Mike Brown
The Green Pajamas
23) Cypress, Emerald And Fir
24) Prelude
Marble Vanity
24) What Can I Say
Research Turtles


Source material for 'Tiger Beat's New Neo-Psychedelic Nuggets' comes from the following:
 The Moons/Fables Of History (2012)
Marble Vanity/Marble Vanity (2012)
The Green Pajamas/Summer Of Lust (1989/Reissued 2012)
Research Turtles/Time Machine EP (2008)/Research Turtles (2009)/Mankiller Pt.2 of 2 (2012)