The Mold Monkies & Remember September

The Mold Monkies, Stoats Afire! (moldmonkies.com). The more I listen to the Mold Monkies, the more I like them. They play shameless power pop, often with silly, clever, imaginative lyrics, sung by an array of boyish, feel-good voices and strummed in a jangly manner by experienced guys who really knew what they were going for. The band epitomizes a happy-go-lucky, nerd-pop attitude shared by other local bands, like the Zambonis, for one. They use a Moog on “Glass Elephant,” one of the many reasons Ric Ocasek would be an ideal producer. Tracks alternate between the band’s two main songwriters, Russell Shaddox and Nick Appleby (also of the Jellyshirts), with a cover of Billy Bragg’s “A New England” thrown in. Shaddox’s “Hobo Rocket” hypothesizes what would happen if one was to strap a rocket onto a hobo’s belt. Appleby’s “Sick Puppy” tells the story of a stalker named Henry, describing the methods by which he pursues his obsession. It’s fun stuff, but clever fun (as opposed to annoying fun). A Chutes and Ladders-style game (designed by Appleby’s brother Steven Appleby, a well-known British cartoonist), featuring the soon-to-be-legendary hobo rocket, is included with the CD art. —Mike Sembos

The Mold Monkies play a CD release show April 24 at 7:45 p.m. at the Meriden Daffodil Festival in Hubbard Park.

Remember September, The Roads We Travel (rememberseptemberband.com). Remember September is a sax band. Their white guy funky grooves and boy-next-door vocals, with lyrics about relationships and feelings combine with the frequent saxing in a Dave Matthews-friendly way that should, by all scientific calculations, be disastrous. But all the players are competent, and the songwriting isn’t half bad, so they can pull it off. It’s bouncy beach house party music, ripe for blasting from a beat-up outdoor ghetto blaster plugged in next to a rowdy game of Beirut (aka beer pong, depending on where you’re from), on a night when you’re looking to drink cheap tequila and hook up with someone you’ll never see again. It’s a time-and-a-place kind of sound, constructed for girls who like to drink and dance and guys who tailgate both nights of Matthews’ annual shows at the Meadows, Dodge Music Center or Comcast Theatre (whatever it’s currently called). —Mike Sembos

Remember September plays April 23 at the Black Duck in Westport and April 25 at The Field in Bridgeport, a benefit for injured police dispatcher Chris Costa.

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bubba  - Master   |2010-04-26 09:53:14 These guys are a lot of fun to party with - I've seen them a few times...the last one at Toad's with Johnny Winter and they held their own man!! Check them out if you can. Reply 2   0

Nicky Mcshietz  - yeah man   |2010-05-14 02:33:31 Yeah man, these guys can shred. i like the jam band feel that they bring to the stage. If you wanna go out drink and have a good time, check out a Remember September show!!! Reply 1   0

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