By Tamara Tabet
Hanni El-Khatib 
(Facebook)
Aussie band Gold Fields’ ace track for “The Woods” gets an equally ace remix from NYC producer Expensive Looks. The remix’s blend of layered effects-driven guitars and 808-esque drum textures had us almost immediately, alas, too irresistible a blend to resist. Listen.
Gold Fields 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Luise Pop is a four piece band out of Vienna, here the Austrian quartet dials in a reverb-soaked Cramps-esque take on 90’s band L7’s track “Fast and Frightening”. LP’s just released 2nd album Time Is a Habit is available now.
Luise Pop 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Professor Penguin, a new band out of London, could be the next big thing out of the UK. Given the right spins (Steve Lamacq and Nick Grimshaw are among the band’s supporters) and exposure, PP could be a real breakout band in 2k12. They’ve got a debut LP Planes at the ready and an excellent single to lead with. This is “Pirate”.
Professor Penguin 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
By Bruce Rave
Their British drumbeat started at the beginning of the year. When I was Australia last, a major promoter told me they were excited to bring Django Django down to Australia. This band has a fresh, upbeat sound that is unique, especially vocally. Their album dropped at the end of January and all announced tour dates so far are in Europe.
Django Django (Official)
Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.
If you’re a fan of NY’s The Pains of Being Pure at Heart then cue up those salivating glands. The band will be releasing the Acid Reflex EP on limited edition colored vinyl via Play It Again Sam on Record Store Day this year! Yes, that’s colored vinyl folks! The release will feature remixes off of the bands 2011 Belong by the likes of Twin Shadow, Violens, St. Etienne, and Washed Out! Get a taste below and pick up a copy April 21, 2k12!
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
“Ten Tiny Fingers” by L.A. band Marriages (comprised of members of post-rock band Red Sparrowes) is one of our favorite tracks of the year. The on face sprawling, sort of far off “Ten Tiny Fingers” hooked us not only with its’ crushing enormous sound but with it’s soul. There’s a feeling and warmth in “Ten Tiny Fingers” that is not always common in this genre. We always talk about warmth and soul (in rock particularly) as being that stuff that really can pull you into track, that it’s what really takes hold off you and brings you back. Give it a spin.
Marriages (Facebook)
Rating 8.6
Portland’s Mint Julep has been heavy in the b3sci rotation the last several weeks. If you’re a longtime reader of the site, you’ll know that the gravitas-filled electronic-tinged cinematic pop style that is in Mint Julep’s music (ex. “To The Sea”) is right in one of b3sci’s “sweet spots”. Mint Julep is a band you should/need be listening to.
Mint Julep 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Not too much to say about any new NO CEREMONY track when it drops… except that this one features Joey Santiago from The Pixies and it fuzzes in some nice guitar work. Check it out below:
NO CEREMONY/// – HEARTBREAKERNO CEREMONY/// 
(Official)
Rating 8.1
The Pacific breeze was negated by FIDLAR’s fiery set Thursday night for the Filter Issue 47 release party at Vita Hill Social Club in Santa Monica. For those exiled from the scene, FIDLAR (Fuck it dog life’s a risk, what a name!) is the next great LA band. Or so they’ve been hailed by many a tastemaker over the past six months. I was highly entertained but not entirely convinced of their staying power after watching them at The Smell on Jan 10th; however, I’m officially a convert after Thursday’s set.
FIDLAR know how to conjure a state of hysteria, with twenty zealots moshing violently in front, as though the mosh were invented yesterday. In other words, the band has been playing some of the rowdiest sets in recent rock memory. Photographers clutched onto their equipment for dear life. Someone flew into me and I spilled my screwdriver all over my sweater. FIDLAR plays with a raw energy which is terrifying but also joyous at the same time. To call them a crossover band is a disservice; they rise above the punk distinctions and the Blink-182 comparisons.
The DIYDUI EP has a phenomenal replay value, and the success of an LP depends largely on its production. I wouldn’t mind hearing someone like Ric Ocasek step in and guide through sixteen songs in thirty-four minutes. Especially when you hear new song “No Waves”, the pop potential is readymade. And few bands have more at stake than FIDLAR. Their trajectory will be more clearly defined after their eight! SXSW shows next month. Until then, FIDLAR will be getting fucked up, having a good time, and playing the fast, fun, abrasive music they want to play in the overarching Bill Haley tradition. Fuck it dog, life’s a risk. *by Chris Gedos
FIDLAR – No Waves
Rating: 8.9
By Trevor Meyer
Campfires released Slaughter Tropes back in December 2011. Needless to say we were all excited by the album. The guitar work in this little number “Melted Rubber Soul” has a way of sticking with you throughout the day. The production value is redolent of the vintage humbucker and chiming tones frequently used during the 60’s British Invasion. Mouthwatering. Give your ears a treat and spin this one.
Campfires – Melted Rubber SoulCampfires (Bandcamp)
Rating 8.1
If you like a little soul and blues in your rock and roll (we do) then you’re gonna be into The Foreign Tides. With that said, there’s no “influence wanking” or distasteful superfluous type shit that often comes with the territory of the self consciously soul/blues influenced. “Smile” has great feel, great guitar tones (love those tinges of reverb) but it’s also a really solid tune. The Tides definitely have the melodic chops (in addition to the great musicianship, etc) to be a breakout band in not only this genre but beyond. Get in on the ground floor with this awesome young band.
The Foreign Tides (Facebook)
Rating 8.07
