One From Our Readers - The Lives Of Famous Men

Allison, one of our readers, dropped me a line urging that I check out one of her favorite bands, one that’s as yet unsigned but really worth checking out. So I did, and I’m sharing the results of my having checked them out with you.

The band is Portland, Oregon’s The Lives Of Famous Men, an unsigned gem that probably won’t be so for long. Most recently named by Alternative Press as one of the best unsigned bands right now, The Lives Of Famous Men play a brand of indie-pop punk that would be all too predictable and formulaic were it not tenderly handled with skilled musicianship and vocals.

What could easily be another boring band cast from the frame of a million other emo-pop punky bands is instead tempered with jazz and flamenco rhythms, bold piano lines and the breathy (but not forced) vocals of frontman Daniel Hall.

If you’re a fan of bands like As Tall As Lions and hellogoodbye, and you want to hear a band that sounds like them without simply being a rehash, scope out The Lives Of Famous Men. You can hear more from them on their MySpace site (hint – start with the tune “Annie Taylor”), and get pointed in the direction to pick up Modern Love, The Wooden Vehicle, their self-released album.

The Lives Of Famous Men is also on the road right now, including a stop at SXSW. If I get a chance while I’m there, I’ll check them out. Which reminds me, SXSW has posted the list of the bands that will be appearing. Who would you like to see covered? Take a look at the list and let me know.

And Allison? Thanks for calling attention to a band worthy of it. That’s what punk rock is all about.