artist: Damn Vandals | genre: alt-rock | label: unsigned

New music is already on the way in 2012 from our favourite/rehabilitated juvenile delinquents from Great Britain.  We are pleased as punch that Damn Vandals have a new EP that is expected to drop at the end of February.  We can’t wait to hear it.

Previous Posts featuring Damn Vandals: Crodile Rocks, OuterSound and Vandalism at it’s Finest.

- Drago

We’ve tallied all the Thumbs Up’s and Thumbs Down’s for the month of October and the Froglix listeners have proven to have quite the diversity of tastes. Forty-five (45) tracks from thirty-three (33) artists received votes, but alas, not everyone can be a winner. Represented in the Top Ten alone though are artists we have described before as rock, modern rock, alternative rock, Brit alt-rock, ambient, electro, electronica, indie pop, ska, power ska, reggae, punk, post-punk, singer/songwriter, and actually quite a bit more. So without further ado…take a listen to October’s favorites…

October’s Top Ten
(in alphabetical order)

28-200 :: I Kiss U
Attention Thieves :: Let It All Out
Case Of The Mondays :: Indie Girl
Mars Accelerator :: Fill For The Glacial Till
Mobile Wash Unit :: September Was Winter
Ring Of Truth :: Why Should This Be?
Rude City Riot :: Victoria
Small City Calling :: Atlantic: Castaways
Treading Lemmings :: Comeuppance
Variety Workshop :: U Suck Noodles

– DMitch

“It’s Americana-ish!” is how Andy Hawk describes his latest studio effort with the Train Wreck Endings and if you’ve heard any of their previous work you’d find it hard to put them into one specific category or genre too.  This, my friends, is a talented group of musicians that effortlessly blends folk, blues and rock into their own special brand of truly American music.

artist: Rude City Riot |  genre: power ska, punk, reggae | label: Skaspot/Stomp

In the midst of a rather busy show schedule this past summer, the Kings of Canadian Ska somehow found the time to record, master and release their debut, full-length album.  How do they do it!? Do these cats ever sleep!?!?  As the saying goes, “all good things to come to who wait, but only the things left behind by those who hustle” and you’d be hard pressed to find a band who hustles more than Rude City Riot.  Without a doubt these cats are on adrenalin overload 24 – 7…good thing for us it translates well into their music!

Their latest studio release is also their first full length album entitled Nothin’ But Time…and it is indeed a gem.  We have been following this band for a while and have been duly impressed all along the way with their unique blend of ska, rock and a little reggae vibe thrown in there for good measure.  Think the energy and intensity of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones coupled with the soulfulness of The Specials and you’d be close.  In addition to being the title track, ‘Nothin’ But Time’ jumps in fast and furious and really sets the tone for the RCR brand of power ska that your friends at Froglix have come to know and love.  That song is unquestionably bad ass.  Equally impressive are tracks like ‘It’s Raining’, ‘Rudies Don’t Care’ and ‘Pray for You’ that all sport more of a traditional 2 Tone vibe.  ‘The Reaper’, which swings even further to the dub side of the spectrum, is simply marvelous music.

Before hearing this album, we knew these boys good jam out on some high octane tuneage so to be able to experience the cooler side of their ska pillow just added to our already high opinion of this band.  Two thumbs way up for both RCR and Nothin’ But Time.

- Drago

artist: The Kut | genre: alternative, indie, rock | label: Criminal Records

Straight from our friends at Criminal Records, Froglix is stoked to present for your viewing and listening pleasure “Closure” from Britain’s The Kut.  Cool song, cool video, cool band…and I would suspect some cool chics to hang out with.

- Drago

Like it? Get it on

San Antonio’s Ledaswan is back in the mix with a new video for yet another diggable track from their EP NUM83R5.   ‘What a Way Two Drown’ is a sultry, melodic malay that showcases luscious layers of sound.  The dynamics of this song are stellar as are Erica’s vocals.  Just as she, they are simply lovely.

Froglix was very much impressed with this track when we first wrote about it a few months back but seeing it set to video truly gives it a life all it’s own.  DMitch, Thurdeen and myself plan on heading down to the Lone Star State for SxSW next year and very much hope to be able to catch these cats live.

- Drago

The Joy Formidable on

Take a load off with a The Joy Formidable’s most recent single called “A Heavy Abacus” which will be included as part of their forthcoming EP to entitled Roarities.   The way cool live version featured above was recorded at live at the legendar KOKO in Camden, London.

Guess what…still love this band.  Why?  Becasue they rock and because they have a method to their alt-rock madness…record, tour, repeat.  Their day is coming…it’s just a matter of time.

- Drago

The past seven (7) days have been absolutely crazy and while there has been no time to write I could not, in could conscience, allow the sun to set on the week without the Flashback.

The alt-rock explosion that emanated from across the Big Pond back in the day was spearheaded by a number of different bands with just as many different sounds.  We could debate the merits of the Liverpool versus the London versus the Manchester sound until we were blue in the face.  We might even find ourselves coming to blows like a couple of rowdy Hooligans at a soccer match but in the end the only thing that would be accomplished would be…well…nothing.  So let’s elevate things to the country level then, shall we?  It is my contention that if we are talking the UK here, and we are, the top (4) alternative band from the ’80s would be, in my humble but accurate opinion, Big Country (Scotland), U2 (Ireland), The Clash (England) and the band feature above…The Alarm from Wales–North Wales to be exact.

From their humble beginnings in 1977 as a punk band called The Toilets (good gracious, what were they thinking) to an opening act for U2 and, eventually, a headlining band, Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie MacDonald and Nigel Twist drew inspiration from their Welsh culture and channeled it into their music.  Wrought with raw emotion, The Alarm’s big sound (and hair for that matter) cemented their place at the table and while the original band has been broken up for some time now, it’s hard to argue their impact on alternative music.

“Rain in the Summertime” was released in 1987 on Eye of the Hurricane (IRS Records) and also featured a couple of other Alarm classics, namely “Rescue Me” and “One Step Closer to Home.” Three (3) great songs on what would be a very strong follow up to 1984′s Declaration and 1985′s Strength.  For ten (10) years these cats poured it on with classic after classic…“Sold Me Down a River”, “Love Don’t Come Easy”, “Blaze of Glory” and the timeless anthem “68 Guns.”

It was all going so well until Peters announced he was leaving the band during a performance at Brixton Academy.  The crowd was stunned and his bandmates shocked.  What was he thinking?  I’m sure I don’t know but what I do know this; “I love to feel the rain in the summer time…”

- Drago

It’s no secret that ever since our inception your friends at Froglix have been quite enamored by the music from Down Under.  Black Knight, San Cisco, Abbe May, Sarah McLeod, The Brisbane Project, etc. have most certainly captured our attention and our ear, for that matter.  This new wave of indie and alternative artists are very talented but not more so the pioneers from the Land of Oz who blazed the trail before them.  It is here that we direct our attention for this week’s Flashback.   Back in the 80s/early 9os it was Hoodoo Gurus, or the Gurus as they are commonly referred to by their fans, who took the college radio scene quite literally by storm.  They dominated.  Not just in their homeland of Australia, but here in the States as well.  By successfully combining the edginess, attitude and excitement of punk with the melodic elements of pop, they created something unique…their own sound.  The combination of Dave Faulkner’s eclectic vocal style, inventive lyrics and exciting melody lines couple with Brad Shepherd’s guitar work elevated the Gurus above a number of other bands in their space vying for air time.

Narrowing it down to one (1) track from this band for Flashback was indeed challenging.  We could have selected any number of their songs from any one of their albums.  Take your pick.  It’s all good.  So, why then did we choose “Miss Freelove ’69″ from their album Kinky? Honestly?  Of all of their videos, this one seemed to best capture their personality as a band.  That’s it.  That’s my reason.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to get my Guru on.

- Drago

Check ‘em out on

listen now:
Maybe Today    Bulgarian Rhapsody

Froglix welcomes Georgia’s Fried Goat to the broadcast with a few select cuts off their latest album. Bon Appetit is a feast of southern inspired flava that mixes healthy portions of americana, folk and southern rock with a dash of  blues and a pinch of country twang thrown in for good measure.  “Maybe Today” starts off a little Neil Young-esque…but only for a second, I promise.  As soon as the hook kicks in with “Maybe today the clouds will fade away” it’s accompanied by a subtle harmony that makes it all Fried Goat.  The jump to double time for the guitar solo was nice juxtaposition and really makes the wailing sound of the guitar stand out quite nicely.   “Misery is Optional” and “Henry” are notable tracks as well and further capture the essence of the band’s core sound.  However, the most interesting track was “Bulgarian Rhapsody.” This particular song is a complete departure from the rest of the album but as the “what were they thinking” moment passed,  I really came to appreciate this particular tune.  I have no idea what they lyrics are but they sound good and fit nicely with the edgy bulgarian folk thang these cats are throwing down.  The performance is solid and their crisp sound resonates with a warm sense of reality that is completely genuine.

If your ears have a hankering from some southern type comfort food this summer…get yourself some Fried Goat!

- Drago