I’ll admit I don’t get nearly the chance to check out new sounds as much as I used to, but every once in a while I’ll stumble on a band that really works its way into my craw, makes me shake my ass or glance up and say “woah.” This week’s such band is Wrong Crowd from Kansas City (yes, Kansas City!). Check out their Myspace page… “Haunted” is an instant classic and one that I have to get on my next podcast. From listening to their music it sounds to me like they come from the Black Lips school of sloppy, Germs-meets-Back From the Grave-style garage punk slop with slight psychedelic overtones, which isn’t a BAD thing, mind you. Hell, if the Black Lips can influence a bunch of new kids to start bands and follow in their footsteps then it’s definitely a step in the right direction. Hell of a lot better than a bunch more Korn or Kings of Leon wannabes, right? Now, according to the band, this isn’t necessarilly the case, that it’s because of articles and reviews in The Pitch. Well, I haven’t read The Pitch since I lived in Kansas City (we’re talking early ‘94 here, folks), but I can tell you that they sound A LOT like the Black Lips. Much moreso than any band that ever existed BEFORE the Black Lips, too. So is it a coincidence or are they doing this intentionally? Who knows! And furthermore, who really cares? It’s great, trashy rock’n'roll no matter how ya slice it, kids. I also recently found out that the band was formerly known as “The Black Tarantulas” which is a pretty cool name, and one I think I remember stumbling upon on Myspace once before (probably last year when I was investigating potential KC-area bands for the Blow-Me Showout. Not sure why they changed it (a quick Google search found two other bands with the same name), but, again, who cares! Enjoy the rock’n'roll.

By the way, for those in the KC area, they’ll be playing a show on November 18 with Pinche Gringo and Thee Fleshapoids (another KC band I’m really digging!) at a place called Club Moustache at 31st & McGee.

Wrong Crowd @ Davey’s Uptown in Kansas City from Jameson on Vimeo.