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 Band To Watch, MP3, Tour Dates
Tags: The Muslims | The Soft Pack
'the muslims'? Seriously?
Worst. name. ever.
Score = -2
F**K you racists, - the Muslims is the not worst name ever! Being called American would be worse you racist SOB! I'm Muslim so f**k yourself and all those who think if the band calls themselves 'the Muslims" it's terrible. They are not even Muslim, so calm the f**k down - a**holes!
Score = 0
Swami, anybody?
Score = 0
Mehhh...and yeah terrible fucking name
Score = -3
But it's so CLEVER! :rolleyes:
Score = -1
I've been following these SD boys since their inception. By far the raddest band in Southern California.
Score = 2
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.
Score = 1
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"...
Score = 1
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.
Score = 0
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.
Score = 1
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.
Score = 0
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.
Score = -1
awesome band! just ordered the 12"
Score = 0
These guys are the bomb!
Score = 0
these guys are great, thank you. Saw them at SXSW, they killed it.
Score = 0
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...
Score = 0
When is the new Hindus released?
Score = -1
Can't wait to see how serious your average leftie is about freedom of expression once these guys get their very own fatwa.
Score = -3
why is it 'jaded hipster' cynicism to say their name sucks?
Score = -2
better than the virgins.
Score = 0
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.
Score = 0
There has been a band called The Christians, spammo.
Score = 1
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.
Score = -1
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?
Score = 1
way to stomp on GvsB's toes.
Score = 0
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.
Score = 2
Nice to see these hometown boys get some national blog love.
Score = 0
What about sparrow love crew as a band to watch?
Score = 0
bbbblllaaaaaccccckkkkkkk kkkkiiiiiddddsss
Score = 0
naw Phoenix and the Turtle are Southern California's best new band.
Score = 0
Hello
Looking to invest some finance in
birthstone jewelry can you guys, know any reliable online jewelry websites?
Thanks
Score = -4
saw these guys at the smell ... awesome band!!!
Score = 0
My bandmate is friends with these guys. I really like their music. They are cool dudes. www.myspace.com/htr
Score = 0
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?
Score = 0
The Strokes 2.0 . That first song sounds exactly like The Strokes don't you think?
Score = 0
These guys are sick. 'Extinction' is a rad tune. Official.
Score = 0
Matt from that band is a GREAT dude, he used to live in Richmond like me does.
yay for the muslims !
Score = 0
yo the killed it
Score = 0
yo they killed it
Score = 0
Wow! It's awesome to see at 33 years of age that uppity pretentiousness is still alive and well with some of you people!!! Totally rad! Yeah, they're called The Muslims. So effing what? Did you see a bunch of old people flip out over combatwoundedveteran? And here's a secret: none of them really were combat wounded veterans. Crazy, I know. Maybe they should have called themselves The Whitest Boy Alive. Oh, wait.....
Score = -2
saw them play at rockbottom brewery at six freakin' thirty in the morning and they still killed it! awesome band! ;)
Score = 0
steroegum, I love you. I've been waiting for this news for AGES
now, I just need to hunt down a copy of their 7"
Score = 0
are thay muslims
Score = 0