Every even one-sentence mention of the Philadelphia quartet Drink Up Buttercup mentions the Beatles, so I decided I should avoid it at all costs. But then I listened to “Sosey & Dosey” from their “Farewell Captain”-fronted 7″ and it’s my duty to mention the Beatles. Really, though, considering the city they call home, a poppier Strapping Fieldhands makes almost as much sense in fuzzier, low-fi songs like “Gods And Gentlemen” and especially “Seasickness Pills.” They have a spinning circus vibe and shout out loud tendency a la Arcade Fire (but in a very different, less emotionally heavy way). Musically, keys, melodica, drums, and guitars collide with three joyful voices howling. It’s fun (and in this case sorta nonsensical) music that works well late on a Friday afternoon. Sometimes it sounds like they’re yelling “Stosuy” in “Sosey & Dosey,” which freaked me out at first, but otherwise … fun.
The “Farewell Captain” b/w “Sosey & Dosey” 7″ is out via Kanine. If this is all news to you, check out more at MySpace. Here are the band’s East Coast dates. Expect Midwest dates soon.
4/11 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fire
4/21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Bruar Falls
4/22 – New York, NY @ Santos Party House #
4/28 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club %
4/29 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr Smalls %
5/08 – Brooklyn, NY @ Cameo
5/13 – New york, NY @ Pianos $
5/15 – Brooklyn, NY @ Southpaw ^
5/16 – Washington DC, @ Rock N Roll Hotel
# w/ Quintron and Miss Pussycat
% w/ Dr Dog
$ w/ Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers
^ w/ Skeletonbreath
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You ever heard of the Beta Band? You guys writing these music blogs are ruining any credibility you might nonetheless have by dropping every Arcade Fire, Animal Collective, Deerhunter nonsensical reference in such ridiculous repetition that your research or knowledge of the past shows what little historical merit your insight actually possesses. look it up bitches. seriously.
Have you ever heard the Strapping Fieldhands, sir?
And, of course, there is nothing vaguely unknowable about the Beta Band. I just find ‘em incredibly boring.
I find it ironic that, although, DR. DOG.. has been around for over 10 years doing/writing their own LoFi music/retro style/dress, etc., and pigeon holed into the “Beatles/Beach Boys”, etc. …that there are so many bands now imitating their sound/harmonies/LoFi recording/style/dress, etc. and reviews make these new bands sound like something new? Dr. Dog is a Philly band that played local/small venues and kept under the radar for many years.. Now, that they are finally getting noticed outside of Philly, there are so many copycat bands that are media mongers and “going for the money”/publicity on the same style/genre/dress.. as Dr. Dog? “Ain’t It Strange”?
I wouldn’t say they sound exactly like Dr. Dog, and also I’m pretty sure this kind of thing happens in the music world all the time. A genuinely talented band/artist works hard for years and after getting some attention, the copycats come out and are launched into the spotlight, usually overshadowing the original. I am glad though that Dr. Dog is finally getting recognized, however small that recognition is. They’re a criminally underrated band and a million times better than this one, for sure. I’d be really surprised if Drink Up Buttercup or any other band with a similar style manages to overshadow Dr. Dog. (No offense to Drink Up Buttercup/bands with similar style)
why is self-confessed and NOTED banality and aping of the Beatles praised? this is a joke. love us.