It's about time that someone starts a 70s punk/mod revival in the millennium. With From The Jam touring and the recent debut release from The Cute Lepers of Seattle, we are hoping it's the start of something big. Lead by frontman Steve E. Nix of the Seattle punk band The Briefs, The Cute Lepers just may be the ones to kick things off. Appropriately signed to Blackheart Records (Joan Jett's label) in March of this year, "Can't Stand Modern Music" is the band's first album and calling card. Boasting their position on the current state of the music industry as well as their penchant for music of the recent past, the Lepers (as they are often called) are influenced heavily by 70s punk, power pop, 60s garage rock, and doo-wop. Female backing vocals are prominent in this band - with three ladies holding their own. Steve E. Nix (guitar, lead vocals) is joined by Kicks (bass), Zache Actually (guitar), Kaptain Kirk (drums), Duffy, Prisilla Ray, and Amy Zipperhead (all on backing vocals, tambourine, handclaps). And let's not forget the legendary Johnny Thunders, for his spirit lives on at the core of The Lepers' music. But the band formed in 2007, not in 1977, and they bring a sunnier side to the genre than the doomed Thunders ever could.
You can get a good idea about The Cute Lepers by checking out this video for their single "Terminal Boredom", their spunky tune that owes debt to Joan Jett and the Blackheart's "Bad Reputation". The song has been getting airplay across the country and is climbing up the CMJ charts. You can also download the song below. But the fun shouldn't stop there, as the album is chock full of punky pop gems, with eleven songs clocking in at just under 25 minutes: "Prove It" (channeling the urgency of Joe Jackson's "Look Sharp"), "Nervous Habits" (a bit of Buzzcocks), and "It's Summertime, Baby" (70s power pop). The rest of the album is more of the same, with quick melodies, boy-girl harmonies, and lots of energy. Don't miss The Cute Lepers as they make their Philly debut at the M Room on August 19th! Touring with The Powerchords and Avenue Rose, they are also playing a slew of dates on the East Coast (check their myspace for a complete listing).
Terminal Boredom - The Cute Lepers
The Cute Lepers - band site / blackheart records / myspace
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