I tried really hard to find bad indie bands. I could just look for the local filth that fill local venues every friday and saturday night, but that's too easy. Then I thought, "hey, if you're no good you're not going to make it to indie status (there are few few few exceptions)", so i'm going to make fun of two bad indie bands I found while promoting some more solid ones.



Xiu Xiu
I don't know what these guys are on. I'm pretty open to new sounds; to bands that are trying to be as artsy as possible; but I just don't GET this music. It sounds like they recorded on one of those little tape players you had in grade one. But you know it was done on purpose in a studio! The singer is just whimpering. Is he in pain? Does he need help? Injured? Here let me help you, stop making music! It's just noise, it isn't melodic at all. I guess I'm just not one of those people that'll call noise music, so sue me. The web site is terrible as well. I can see what they were trying to do but they, or whomever the web designer was made so many mistakes from font choice, font size, layout, and this strange noise every time you pass over a link, it's that noise you get if you plug your nose and blow to pop your ears, it's so uncomfortable.

Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah.
More like, punch yourself in the head and say no more. At first, before the singing, you think "hey, this might be ok". You were wrong. Just...wrong. Yet again, another singer who's either totally drunk, high, or injured. I give them benefit of the doubt and say they're injured. One lyric in a song is "Oh god"...my sentiments exactly.

Let's switch records now.



The Decemberists.
Though they've been around for about 5 years, haven't received the recognition they deserve, maybe calling them indie wouldn't be accurate. The singer's fantastical, whimsical air carries this whole band. Not to devalue the rest of the members, who create the east coast influenced stylings that make me want to be a pirate. A band that probably appeals to more people than most of my indie recommendations. Listen specifically to the song, Mariner's Revenge Song. They're touring right now with some big name bands like, Beck, The Shins, The New Pornographers, Death Cab, Queens of the Stone Age...there are a few
more. These shows aren't in Canada however, I believe.



Again, not quite an indie band, but still pretty unknown, Athlete. A little pop-y, mellow, ted leo meets oneline drawing maybe? Another band more accessable than some of the other more ecclectic indie bands. Solid lyrics, and solid sound.

Stay classy.