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April 4, 2008

Band To Watch: The Muslims

Assured-beyond-their-years San Diego quartet the Muslims will definitely get a lot of attention for their name, but we're much more interested in the band's catchy, sorta sloppy and stark post-punk-infused rock 'n' roll. They mix a kind of Strokes-y, and therefore VU, detachment and something that bumps in the night like Hell and his Voidoids (or, better yet, Hell and the Heartbreakers doing "Love Comes In Spurts"). You can also hear a bit of the Stooges -- not just because the band cites 'em, along with the Replacements, as an inspiration -- and early Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers (see "Future Rock," "On My Time," etc). Whatever the mix of forerunners, the Muslims find a way to make it their own -- it's kinda uncanny. We've been listening to their new 7-song 12" (and the 10-song CD) on repeat (thanks Robots for the heads up), so we wanted to share a couple favorites with you...

The Muslims - "RIght And Wrong" (MP3)
The Muslims - "Nightlife" (MP3)

The self-titled 12" is out now on 1928 Recordings, where you can hear even more sounds. Also, at the Muslim's MySpace they note re: the 12" that, "If you decide to buy the record you will receive a FREE CD version of the record. That free CD has 3 bonus songs on it. They are not bogus." We agree -- "Extinction"'s one of them. "Nightlife" another. (if all of this isn't enough, go here for a cassette-quality "Geez, Geez, Geez." Great stuff.) They're playing some live shows, too.

04/04 - San Diego, CA @ Casbah - The Fest
04/19 - San Diego, CA @ Tower Bar w/ PRE
04/22 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo w/ Indian Jewelry
04/23 - Irvine, CA @ UC- Irvine w/ Crash Normal
04/25 - Mesa, AZ @ Hollywood Alley w/ The Night Marchers
04/26 - San Diego, CA @ Casbah w/ The Night Marchers
04/27 - Long Beach, CA @ Alex's Bar w/ Tijuana Panthers
04/28 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill w/ The Night Marchers
04/29 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre w/ The Night Marchers
04/30 - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey w/ The Night Marchers
05/02 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge w/ The Night Marchers
05/03 - Omaha, Nebraska @ Waiting Room w/ The Night Marchers
05/04 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas w/ The Night Marchers
05/05 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick w/ The Night Marchers
05/12 - San Diego, CA @ Casbah
05/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Smell w/ The Carrots, Abe Vigoda, Soft Boiled Eggies
05/27 - Los Angeles, CA @ La Cita
05/31 - Los Angeles, CA @ Pehrspace w/ Abe Vigoda, Crystal Antlers, AM

Posted at 10:58 AM in , ,
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35 Comments

'the muslims'? Seriously?

Worst. name. ever.

Posted by: fatso at 04/04/08 1:18 PM | Reply
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Swami, anybody?

Posted by: bearface at 04/04/08 1:41 PM | Reply
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Mehhh...and yeah terrible fucking name

Posted by: EnchantingWizardofRhythm at 04/04/08 1:43 PM | Reply
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But it's so CLEVER! :rolleyes:

Posted by: Captain Steubing at 04/04/08 2:30 PM | Reply
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I've been following these SD boys since their inception. By far the raddest band in Southern California.

Posted by: Hotel St. George at 04/04/08 2:44 PM | Reply
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When these guys get taken out, all Theo van Gogh-style, who will REALLY be surprised?

They'll probably be safe domestically - European Tour, that's where the smart money's at.

Posted by: Seamus at 04/04/08 3:18 PM | Reply
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I've been listening to them for a little while now. They're great. I love "Extinction." Hm, might have to get my hands on that 12"...

Posted by: icanread profile link at 04/04/08 3:51 PM | Reply
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Fatso I love how you distane comes across in your typing....so cool, so so cool.

Worst name ever? I can think of hundreds worse. One off the top of my head......ok, Sunset Rubdown. Want another...tapes'n tapes.

Nothing worse than jaded hipsters.

Posted by: TB at 04/04/08 3:53 PM | Reply
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haha... You people seem to have a 'distane' for spelling in general.

But the band... I don't really care about their name -- although I prefer traditional 'The' names to pansyass abstractions like 'My Morning Jacket.' I'm sure you'll all be able to tell me what that says about me.

HIPSTER! DOUCHE!

I kind of like them. I'm, at the least, open to any band that warrants a Modern Lovers namedrop.

Posted by: studly roberts in reply to TB's comment at 04/05/08 7:40 PM | Reply
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haha... You people seem to have a 'distane' for spelling in general.

But the band... I don't really care about their name -- although I prefer traditional 'The' names to pansyass abstractions like 'My Morning Jacket.' I'm sure you'll all be able to tell me what that says about me.

HIPSTER! DOUCHE!

I kind of like them. I'm, at the least, open to any band that warrants a Modern Lovers namedrop.

Posted by: studly roberts in reply to TB's comment at 04/05/08 7:42 PM | Reply
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Seriously the practice of "the" band names has to stop......Do people just look around the room and decide oh how about we name out band the.........The Screens.....The Oak......The Doors. Bad example but you get the point.

Another thing saying "Meh" is just as lame a putting out boring music. Looking at you EnchantingWizardofRhythm. If you can't think of any adjectives you have not business critiquing music.....

Checkout Seattle's premier party band the Coconut Coolouts....these guys can't be any worse/sloppy as the black lips.


Posted by: Ty at 04/04/08 4:00 PM | Reply
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b1aderunner

awesome band! just ordered the 12"

Posted by: b1aderunner profile link at 04/04/08 4:25 PM | Reply
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These guys are the bomb!

Posted by: yomomma at 04/04/08 4:30 PM | Reply
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these guys are great, thank you. Saw them at SXSW, they killed it.

Posted by: Perfik at 04/04/08 6:31 PM | Reply
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Extinction will be released as a 7" on Sweet Tooth Records in the coming weeks. I'll be doing some swag giveaways on my site so stay tuned...

Posted by: sd:dialedin at 04/04/08 10:10 PM | Reply
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When is the new Hindus released?

Posted by: argen at 04/05/08 8:05 AM | Reply
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Can't wait to see how serious your average leftie is about freedom of expression once these guys get their very own fatwa.

Posted by: Bugs Meany at 04/05/08 11:24 AM | Reply
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why is it 'jaded hipster' cynicism to say their name sucks?

Posted by: fatso at 04/05/08 1:49 PM | Reply
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better than the virgins.

Posted by: Robert Fearless at 04/05/08 2:24 PM | Reply
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Nah, the name bites because none of the band members are.....you know...actual Muslims.

Would love to see the response if a group of Black Muslim rappers from Brooklyn or something came up with a name like "The Jews" or "The Christians". Then you'll see shit hit the fan. For now, these SoCal kids just another indie band aloofly utlizing a hot-button word for quick publicity.

They have succeeded on that front.

If you want to see some actual indie rock bands who come from Muslim backgrounds, check out Hypernova or 127.

Posted by: Mbah Mbah Moute at 04/06/08 1:13 AM | Reply
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There has been a band called The Christians, spammo.

Posted by: Mipcat in reply to Mbah Mbah Moute's comment at 04/23/08 2:49 PM | Reply
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Nah, the name bites because none of the band members are.....you know...actual Muslims.

Would love to see the response if a group of Black Muslim rappers from Brooklyn or something came up with a name like "The Jews" or "The Christians". Then you'll see shit hit the fan. For now, these SoCal kids just another indie band aloofly utlizing a hot-button word for quick publicity.

They have succeeded on that front.

If you want to see some actual indie rock bands who come from Muslim backgrounds, check out Hypernova or 127. They both played SxSW this year.

Posted by: Mbah Mbah Moute at 04/06/08 1:15 AM | Reply
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The name is not referring to Muslims as believers of the Qu'ran. It is actually a reference to the nickname Jewish Concentration Camp victims had for the other Jews in the camp who assisted The Nazis. So maybe the name wouldn't bite if someone is the band's ancestors were in a Concentration camp? I don't know if thats the case or not, but does it matter?

Posted by: Brendyn in reply to Mbah Mbah Moute's comment at 05/08/08 4:03 PM | Reply
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Elliot

way to stomp on GvsB's toes.

Posted by: Elliot profile link at 04/06/08 6:15 AM | Reply
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If I had a band, we would be called Scientologists. Or even better, We Are Scientologists. The only problem would be that if we went somewhere, legal troubles would undoubtedly arise.

Posted by: Maddie profile link at 04/06/08 1:46 PM | Reply
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Nice to see these hometown boys get some national blog love.

Posted by: Mario at 04/07/08 12:54 PM | Reply
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What about sparrow love crew as a band to watch?

Posted by: larry at 04/09/08 7:03 AM | Reply
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bbbblllaaaaaccccckkkkkkk kkkkiiiiiddddsss

Posted by: free hype at 04/09/08 4:28 PM | Reply
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naw Phoenix and the Turtle are Southern California's best new band.

Posted by: Nick Bahula at 04/12/08 9:29 PM | Reply
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Hello

Looking to invest some finance in
birthstone jewelry can you guys, know any reliable online jewelry websites?

Thanks

Posted by: GHJansom at 04/17/08 6:48 AM | Reply
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saw these guys at the smell ... awesome band!!!

Posted by: Andy at 04/19/08 3:23 PM | Reply
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My bandmate is friends with these guys. I really like their music. They are cool dudes. www.myspace.com/htr

Posted by: Aaron at 05/05/08 4:35 PM | Reply
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The name is not referring to Muslims as believers of the Qu'ran. It is actually a reference to the nickname Jewish Concentration Camp victims had for the other Jews in the camp who assisted The Nazis. So maybe the name wouldn't bite if someone is the band's ancestors were in a Concentration camp? I don't know if thats the case or not, but does it matter?

Posted by: Brendyn at 05/08/08 4:03 PM | Reply
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The Strokes 2.0 . That first song sounds exactly like The Strokes don't you think?

Posted by: noriega at 06/08/08 3:12 PM | Reply
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These guys are sick. 'Extinction' is a rad tune. Official.

Posted by: L Boyd at 06/19/08 10:16 AM | Reply
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