September 20, 2009 6pm
Skully’s Music Diner
1151 N. High Street
(614) 291-8856
$10 in advance / $12 at door
All Ages, under 21 pays additional $3 surcharge at door
Dear & The Headlights
http://www.myspace.com/dearandtheheadlights
Hailing from Phoenix, AZ, the indie rock band Dear and the Headlights comprises Ian Metzger (vocals, guitar), Joel Marquard (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Chuckie Duff (bass, keyboard), PJ Waxman (vocals, guitar), and Mark Kulvinskas (drums). Prior to the group’s formation in 2005, Metzger, Marquard, and Waxman had been playing music together without a rhythm section. Friend Chuckie Duff offered to record a few demo songs, but the lineup disbanded after the demos were done. Months later, Duff convinced the band to reassemble. He joined on bass and financed a full-length recording, while drummer Kulvinskas enlisted just in time for the band’s first show a couple of weeks later. The quintet was soon opening for the likes of the Bravery, matt pond PA, Make Believe, Idlewild, and the Hold Steady. Dear and the Headlights signed with Equal Vision Records in November 2006, with the album Small Steps, Heavy Hooves arriving in February 2007. Drunk Like the Bible Times followed in September 2008, catering to an audience that had considerably expanded since the band’s tours with the likes of Jimmy Eat World and Paramore. - ©1992-2009 All Media Guide, LLC
Kinch
http://www.myspace.com/kinch
Kinch has taught me a valuable lesson: pay attention to e-mail. You see, guitarist Brian Coughlin e-mailed me about two years ago to let me know about his band, a piece of correspondence I kept (because Kinch is from Phoenix) but one I failed to act on with a post.
Well, that was pretty dumb.
Kinch, whose Advances was named the best local album in 2008 by Martin Cizmar of Phoenix New Times, appears to be on the verge of breaking out. There’s upcoming West Coast tour dates with fellow Phoenicians Dear and the Headlights and an appearance at SXSW in March (including the I Heart AZ showcase curated by Psyko Steve).
On Friday night at Modified, Kinch celebrates the release of a three-song EP, The Economic Chastisement, copies of which will be given out with admission ($10) and made available online as a free download (or, you know, see below). Speaking of free, Advances also is available for no charge.
And that’s the thing about the guys in Kinch. They are savvy – in how they craft piano-driven hooks, in how they market themselves, in how they have built a fan base (someone from the band will ask you to sign up for the mailing list after a show, and you will). They make their breaks, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the pop-rock know-how to back it up. (I heard nothing but praise from friends and other bands after Kinch opened the Birdmonster show I put on in October.) - Kevin, So Much Silence
Hey Sandy
http://www.myspace.com/heysandy
A Minor Bird
http://www.myspace.com/aminorbird
Growing up around local favorites like Relient K and Lovedrug, these college roommates have crafted a soul searching collection of songs; with earnest indie rock flourishes and cinematic structure. Contrasting, yet entwined, dual vocalists Embleton and King wistfully explore their respective niches, and blend for lush harmonies. From a bantam dorm pad on campus, A Minor Bird writes, eats, performs and sleeps together…resulting in a brotherhood of sorts.