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The Thermals, Mink Lungs and Razorlight

added 13 August 2003 at 10.24

Check out the very best of the Western world's new guitar slingers. Watch live sets from Portland, Oregon supergroup The Thermals, unlikely New Yorkers Mink Lungs and London's own great new hope, Razorlight, all recorded exclusively live at The Barfly.

The Thermals [Dial-Up] [Broadband]

Formed in Portland, Oregon by members of such local heroes as Hutch & Kathy, The All Girl Summer Fun Band, Operacycle and more, The Thermals would be a dream line-up anywhere. Their debut album 'More Parts Per Million' hit the shops recently and if their X-Posure Live show is anything to go by it's one of the first great debuts of the year.  Frontman Hutch Harris has both the charisma and stagecraft to exploit the sheer quality of the material, delivering a spontaneous solo rendition of 'Endless Supply' when technical issues threaten a lengthy break.

The songs themselves are built like Detroit used to build cars; versatile, solid and great fun. Think Rival Schools with still more of an ear for melody and you're in the right ballpark. Awesome debut single 'No Culture Icons' is the inevitable highlight but it's shining in extremely august company; 'Passion Feeling', 'I Know The Pattern' and the rampant 'Born Dead' would be highlights for many lesser bands playing many larger rooms. Hit the links above to check The Thermals out live while you can still be among the first.

For more info check out www.thethermals.com

The Thermals [Dial-Up] [Broadband] 

Mink Lungs [Dial-Up] [Broadband]

Formed in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 1998 Mink Lungs are unlikely Noo Yorkers. In fact their surrealist song structure, archly-wry lyricism and gloriously non-linear subject matter (from dirty dishes to fashion crimes of the '80s) means they've more in common with the likes of Pavement than The Strokes. Live, the diminutive Gian Carlo Feleppa, crouched over his low slung mike with guitar strapped high, his bare chested and frantic half-brother Tim Feleppa and the strangely compelling Jennifer 'Miss Frosty' Hoope, who breathlessly delivers the sweat-inducing 'Sensual Pleasure' whilst continously twirling a hula-hoop around her waist. Since when has Liam Gallagher been able to do that? Utterly brilliant.

For more info check out www.minklungs.com

Mink Lungs [Dial-Up] [Broadband] 

Razorlight [Dial-Up] [Broadband]

Dealing in frenetic, fraught, frantic riffs Razorlight hit the ground running and don't slow down for anyone. With a background steeped in squats, warehouse parties and quasi-religious experiences, Johnny Borrell is a classic English frontman, the extremity of a linegae that stretches back to early Lennon via the likes of Weller and Costello. He's never anything less than his own man though, and songs like opener 'Rip It Up', or the stop-start pummelling of 'Bright Lights' prove Razorlight have the material to back up the moves. They'll soon be exploding onto a record rack near you with forthcoming single 'Rock 'n' Roll Lies' but until then hit the links and check them out for yourself.

For more info check out www.razorlight.co.uk

Razorlight [Dial-Up] [Broadband]

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