Return of the Pan Pan

Erie Choir: "Pan Pan, Where Did You Go?"
(from Rockin' the Blocks compilation 2005)

I've got no time for anything right now, but here's a quick update. Erie Choir posed the question "Pan Pan, Where Did You Go?" in a cute song on a Durham compliation called Rockin' The Blocks last year. (Still tracking down a copy, though these folks claim to still have some.) The answer can be found here. It looks like the new Erie Choir CD will be out soon, as they have a release show scheduled at Local 506 on Nov 11. (They don't seem entirely certain of that, though.) Looking forward to it!

Also, congrats to Cindy, who was the winner of the signed copy of Annuals' He Be Me. If you missed them last week, they're at Local 506 as well next Monday (10/30) with blog-beloved Tapes N Tapes.

More next week, I hope, when thing are a little calmer.

A Rooster for the Choir: couple of new songs

A Rooster for the Masses:
"Damn Homie"
(new song. Buy/download the Gallo Rojo EP.)

Erie Choir:
"Picture Equals Proof"
(from Slighter Awake, forthcoming on Sit-N-Spin.)

This week has not been conducive to listening to/thinking about music, so in lieu of anything thoughtful (I know, but that's usually what I'm aiming for), here are a couple of new songs from bands that I've written about before that have floated out into the MySpace in the last week or two.

"Damn Homie" lowers the synth level and ups the guitars from the songs on A Rooster for the Masses Gallo Rojo CD. It's a fine addition to their small-but-solid canon, though I might prefer a bit more clarity in the vocal mix. "Picture Equals Proof" is likewise a slight departure from Erie Choir's general MO in that it's a little peppier than I tend to think of them.

Neither of these bands have shows this weekend, but they'll both be playing next month as part of the stellar lineup of Durham's Troika Festival. I'll come back to this soon. First, though (if I can manage it), I'll post early next week (rather than my usual late-week schedule) about some of the bands playing at Sparklefest.

Previously on the Oak Room:
A Rooster for the Masses
Erie Choir
Sparklefest

Erie Choir

*

A while back, I went to see a show at the Duke Coffeehouse that included a band called Erie Choir. At the time, their web site was pretty bare, but now they've added some music to listen to, and it's good stuff.

Their live show featured a full band, and although I enjoyed the music, it did start to get a little same-y sounding (lots of songs in a mid-tempo shuffle). These are mostly acoustic guitar, though one does feature a fuller lineup. I think that may serve the songs better.

Here's a review of their recent EP, Bad Tsars is a Drag: "Echoing a '70s singer/songwriter rock style, Eric Roehrig's bright acoustic strum, gentle tenor croon and spare, airy arrangements meld the confessional style with a touch of '80s new wave and jangle."

MP3: "Favorite Fotos"
MP3: "Lullaby for John Grives"
(from Bad Tsars is a Drag [EP], self-released 2004)

MP3: "Trunion Pike"
(from Erie Choir [EP], 2000)

Don't know where you could buy these -- maybe direct from the band (contact). Erie Choir plays tomorrow (6/25/05) at Ooh La Latte with Regina Hexaphone, a lovely band in their own right.

*Photo nabbed off Flickr from ninecherries. See more here.

The Sames et al. at the Coffehouse

After a fine show last Friday night (Prayers & Tears and Rosebuds -- review to follow), Duke's Coffehouse has another great lineup tomorrow night. It's the CD release show for Durham's The Sames, with Schooner and Erie Choir supporting.

The Sames were one of the very first bands I wrote about, back when I was still apologizing for not having the vocabulary to write about music. I know better now, but I still like their stuff -- solid, melodic indie rock. Here are two songs from the new album:

MP3: "Heart Pine"
MP3: "In Liberty Heights"
(from The Sames, You Are The Sames, Pox World Empire 2005. Buy.)

Schooner wasn't too far behind The Sames in my posting history, and they are not dissimilar. (I see that my pet phrase "melodic indie rock" was used in that posting as well...) No new tracks to highlight, but check out the ones in the old post. Schooner's recording a new album at the moment, so hopefully they'll give us a taste soon.

Erie Choir I don't know much about, and their web presence is scant. Apparently they do a fine cover of "Purple Rain." If this song is any indication (and if it's actually the same band...) I'll have to dig a little harder. It's a lovely acoustic number.
MP3: "The Ballad of Erie Choir"
(from ??? help me out someone.)

Friday, April 22; Duke Coffehouse; ~9 p.m.; $8/$5 Duke students (includes Sames CD!)