invaders

New Review for WRFL

2009-11-25T18:18:00.002-05:00

blueline: Phantom Family Halo/Invaders Preview Part 2

Here's an adapted version of my review of Invaders' 'Floating' for WRFL.

I was hooked on Louisville's Invaders from the first track I heard ("Couldn't Come"), a couple months ago on their MyFace page. Lucky for all of us, their entire new album (I believe it's their first) happens to completely slay from start to finish.

This album manages to be dreamy and feel-good and dark and forboding all at the same time. The songs are tight and structured, with riffs and driving percussion, but just enough garage noise, distortion and shrieking to make it interesting (without getting too aloof). They've achieved a really sexy and sophisticated sound for being such a new band (I assume they are a pretty new band but I honestly couldn't find much history info on them). Definite 1990's British vibes – lush, dense shoegazey soundscapes shrouded in fuzzy-yet-Hope-Sandoval sounding female vocals. There's something nostalgic about it. But there's something new I can't really place.

This album got me sincerely excited for wherever it is that this band is going. Judging from the recent slew of Karate Body releases, it would appear the historically amazing underground music scene in Louisville is totally alive and well.

RIYL: Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Thee Oh Sees, Tom Tom Club, Atlas Sound

Invaders at Broad Ripple Music Fest

2009-09-29T12:34:00.001-04:00

Invaders at Broad Ripple Music Fest
Karate Body Records: "KBR is pleased to announce that Invaders have been confirmed to appear at The Broad Ripple Music Fest in Indianapolis on Saturday, Oct. 17! Their debut CD is also now available overseas in Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands through Mandai Distribution."

Invaders "Charmer" @ Skull Alley, Louisville, 9.18.09

2009-09-29T11:32:00.001-04:00

[Photos + Video] Marmoset and Invaders, 9.18.09, Louisville | The Decibel Tolls

2009-09-29T10:31:00.000-04:00

[Photos + Video] Marmoset and Invaders, 9.18.09, Louisville The Decibel Tolls: "Two quick items notes. First, Invaders were amazing live. While on record, you could sorta pinpoint where they came from and where they’re going – a little shoegaze here, and little stoner metal there. Live, they’re something completely different. Invaders are not really anything. They’re not space rock, they’re not shoegaze… they’re vaguely rock and roll mixed with something sinister. Essentially, they’ve created a new sound. Not only is that a huge compliment, but it’s heartwarming to know that there’s music coming out of Louisville that is truly new. Invaders are a major force in this."

Sept. 18...Flyer by Tim Olfcasek.

2009-08-20T13:03:00.011-04:00

It's fair to say that the music media of the world is certainly riding the waves of Wavves and other contemporary luminaries of psychedelia-tinged, low fidelity, garage-friendly rock and roll. However, Marmoset were there first, and after 15 years of solid songwriting and sardonic tomfoolery, the reclusive group has unequivocally reached a sort of legendary status, and releases such as 1999's Today, It's You and 2001's Record in Red remain essential listening in the sludgey atmospheric pop realm.

Marmoset celebrates the release of their latest full-length, Tea Tornado. While a decidedly more stripped down effort compared to their earlier repertoire, Tea Tornado still showcases Marmoset as the same old smokey, dark, swagger-saturated AM pop purveyor we all know and love. And with this more efficient approach, the deadpan, sarcastic, haunting vocals of Jorma Whittaker take center stage, along with their trademark utilization of sonic space, and the concise Syd Barrett meets Robert Pollard song structures (with a touch of Skip Spence’s creepiness).

It's been a while since Marmoset has come out to play - do not sleep on this!

INVADERS

Invaders are Joe Meredith's newest project, but do not expect The Merediths. Invaders are loud, heavy, and seem to be on some good shit.

The group certainly takes advantage of, in some ways, the resurgence of the no-fi aesthetic a la Psychedelic Horseshit and Times New Viking. However, Invaders rely on extremely tight song structures compared to the loosey goosey dissonance of the aforementioned. Snakey guitar, heavily distorted and subdued vocals, chunky rhythm, and general scratchy psychedelia rule over Floating, their debut for local label Karate Body Records.

Invaders drift in the drug laments of Spacemen 3 and the noise pop exercises of really early Yo La Tengo, amalgamate a garage punk ethos with a shoegazey flavor, and visit Hawkwind-style acid rock and 4AD-worthy dream pop - all the while remaining a viscerally accessible and crafty collective.

THE HARLEQUINS

The Harlequins are a very new addition to the Queen City scene, and their theatrical live performances have garnered buzz in Cincinnati that's thick enough to cut with a knife. Channeling the finest in Nuggets-ready jangle and Kinks-worthy garage psych, The Harlequins write simple, punchy, powerful music that doesn't take itself too seriously. They're the type of group that proves that a raucous, crowd pleasing act doesn't have to be some sort of cheap-shots bar band. Sometimes you can groove with an adventurous rock trajectory.

Tickets are $7 and will be available at the door. All ages are welcome to the show. Beer is available for those of legal drinking age with state-issued ID. Show is being brought to you by The Decibel Tolls and Transpanther.

BoomSlang!

2009-08-20T11:53:00.002-04:00

Invaders added to BoomSlang AfterParty "Brought to you by WRFL 88.1 – Radio free Lexington – it is a celebration of visionary, experimental, genre-bending music and media of the highest caliber, as well as a showcase of Lexington's unique venues and culture. In the spirit of independent media, the line-up includes local up-and comers, regional favorites and international legends – artists who have been critically acclaimed for their innovation, but have somehow fallen (or hidden) beneath the mainstream shuffle. In addition to music, the weekend will feature workshops, sideshow acts, bike events, art exhibits and a circus-themed fashion show." Acts included...Os Mutantes!, Faust, Black Angels, Atlas Sound, Shipping News, and many more.

Marmoset - Lemon Meringue Live EP

2009-08-14T12:02:00.002-04:00

Marmoset - Lemon Meringue Live EP

The Decibel Tolls presents… Marmoset with Invaders and The Harlequins

2009-08-13T12:43:00.002-04:00

new review on Leoweekly.

2009-08-05T10:43:00.003-04:00

"The guitar interplay is understated but effective, and Matt Filip and J.C. Denison know when to be a traditional rhythm section and when to independently flay the melodies. The foursome triumph effortlessly when they twist riffs on tight numbers(“The Flu”)..."

for full review...Floating

‘Floating’ distributed nationally!

2009-08-05T10:41:00.006-04:00

"Invaders’ debut CD “Floating” is now available for digital purchase from Think Indie, an arm of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores. A track from that album, “Couldn’t Come,” is now available for free download."

August 7. Glassworks Rooftop. Be there.

2009-07-22T19:22:00.000-04:00

New Review on The Decibel Tolls

2009-07-11T15:32:00.002-04:00

"Louisville’s Invaders might just be my favorite local act. They certainly could be the second loudest (Lords takes first place for obvious reasons). Invaders triumphantly achieve the coveted position of being difficult to categorize, which should by default pique your interest. Floating, their recently released debut for local label Karate Body, is a treble-heavy, noisy, yet viscerally accessible and pop-oriented body of work.

Invaders certainly take advantage of, in some ways, the resurgence of the no-fi aesthetic a la Psychedelic Horseshit and Times New Viking. However, Invaders rely on extremely tight song structures compared to the loosey goosey dissonance of the aforementioned. Snakey guitar, heavily distorted and subdued vocals, punchy rhythm, and general scratchy psychedelia rule over Floating, and the record is able to weave through oft disparate tempos and moods while remaining consistent and cohesive.

Invaders drift in the drug laments of Spacemen 3 on “Head Full of Rocks” (accompanied by the excellent backing vocals of the Sandpaper Dolls’ Amber Estes) and the noise pop of really early Yo La Tengo on “The Flu.” “Charmer” amalgamates a garage punk ethos with a decidedly shoegazey flavor. “Centipede” is pure stoner rock – Hawkwind, Dead Meadow, etc. And the title track sounds exactly like it should – ride heavy percussion, 4AD evocative dreamy textures, and a vaguely romantic swagger juxtaposed against late ’60s acid melodies. Light a doob and get lifted.

Invaders evidently love all the same music I love. Hence, I love Floating."

Floating Available Online

2009-07-07T22:44:00.008-04:00

bite it here... Karate Body Records.

Sweet Pete.

2009-07-07T20:31:00.002-04:00

The Courier-Journal’s Peter Berkowitz reviews:

The new band led by Joe Meredith, formerly of the Beatles-esque Merediths, is surprising not just because of Meredith’s more poppy pedigree, but also because there are few bands left making sounds like this. The Invaders live near rock music but probably won’t be understood by the AC/DC fan next door. Fans of the Sun City Girls and early Butthole Surfers will be pleased, however, to find a new psychedelic, grainy mindblast of a band. Meredith’s vocals are mixed lower than most singers, taking his vocals away from the spotlight and melding them into the rest of the instruments. A band like this can’t be found at just any club, so listen to Second Story Man’s Carrie Neumayer, who “thinks the Invaders CD is the best local album I’ve heard in a long time.”

Courier-Journal Reviews Floating

Ear X-tacy in store. July 4th

2009-07-07T19:57:00.002-04:00

FLOATING

2009-07-07T19:32:00.003-04:00

Check it!
1. Sky canopy
2. Couldn't come
3. The Flu
4. Charmer
5. Evergreen
6. White wind
7. Floating
8. Head full of rocks
9. Centipede
10. Kristmas
11. Sinking Ship

Out now on Karate Body Records! CD's at Ear X-tacy, Underground Sounds, Cherry Bomb, and upcoming Invaders Shows.

A few more pics from night 3...

2009-04-16T17:10:00.004-04:00

Morning 1 or Day 4 or...

2009-04-16T05:52:00.000-04:00

It's 6 o'clock. We're on hammocks, microphones, and trains, behind cameras, consoles, and brains.

Leafy carpet. Have you seen our guitar player??? Southbound on some slick rail perhaps? Either way, Ms. Estes is shining like a true champ. Eight songs in a few short hours, sounds like she'd get along with Invaders. Whispy, dim, enchanting hymns.

Scratch that about Drew, he just walked through a door designed for a person on someone's shoulders. Everything is fine, as it has been for three days now.

Kevin likes bourbon more than I do, and that inspires me.

Rubber wrists, sinking ships, slick ass shit.

Post Dinner, Night 3...

2009-04-16T00:50:00.000-04:00

-"Kristmas" finished with a new level of insanity added to it; it seems Joe can play a mean distorted flute in just the right Coltrane-esque way.

-Drew S. created for us a delightful meal of baked Goddess chicken, roasted new potatoes, and fresh green salad with red onion, feta, & blackberries, and fresh Blue Dog bread.

-Amber Estes has shown up to record backup vocals on several tracks. She sings with Sandpaper Dolls; cannot wait to hear how she will sound with Invaders.

Night 3 thus far...

2009-04-15T22:12:00.000-04:00

"Charmer" playing in the control room, Kevin and Joe give one more listen. Sleigh bells and glockenspiel have been added. Some forks aren't just for food...

-Drew S. cooking dinner; tonight we dine on chicken, garlic potatoes, salad, and fresh bread. Ken has shown up with some surprises.

-Outside patio is chilly but scenic. Flute and sleigh bells are coming next for "Kristmas".

Time to pay the man!

2009-04-15T14:40:00.001-04:00

Today is tax day. I remember overhearing yesterday that at least half the band has not filed their taxes. How can we be expected to worry about W-2's and whatnot when we have an album to finish? Uncle Sam can wait.

-We start mixing today. I'll throw on some tambourine and shaker here and there as we go along; aside from that, tracking is finished.

-Celebrated tracking "Sinking Ship" last night with shots of Patron. It was the most taxing (hahaha) of the songs as far as live tracking went.

-Here are some shots of the band:

Night 2, recording at the Funeral Home w/ K. Ratterman

2009-04-14T22:37:00.000-04:00

12:20pm. We sit slightly stuffed now while Drew lays down a Rhodes part for "Evergreen". Just finished eating steaks, corn on the cob, and arugula with goat cheese and fresh bread, courtesy of our master chef, Drew Sellers.

-Two songs left to track, "White Wind" and "Sinking Ship", both of which were being tweaked on acoustic guitars by Drew and Joe a couple hours ago.

-Kevin suggests there may be a fresh bottle of Patron to celebrate later. It remains to be seen if this is strictly a motivational tactic, or if there is perhaps some quality tequila in our near futures.

-I think cheerleading practice has commenced in the listening room. A large toy horse is in danger.

Recording...

2009-03-30T21:53:00.000-04:00

We are recording our first LP @ The Funeral Home in mid-April over the course of four days. Thanks to everyone who has heard these songs grow and evolve within a live setting; we hope to capture all the best elements in the studio for your (and our) listening pleasure. We shall keep you informed. Stay tuned for new info. on future shows, videos, pictures, recordings, and dental x-rays.

Being our first attempt at a "B-L-O-G", which I believe stands for Bands Looking for Online Gain, we shall surely fine tune our ways here. As we keep you informed, please feel free to do the same.

2009-03-30T21:48:00.000-04:00