By: Mike Madavi
The Phenomenal Handclap Band
“15 to 20 (feat. Lady Tigra)” (mp3)
from “The Phenomenal Handclap Band”
(Friendly Fire Recordings)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album
The Phenomenal Handclap band is the new group founded by veteran New York DJ’s Daniel Collás, the Witch Doctor, and Sean Marquand, the Medicine Man. After years of searching and researching to find their own unique sound by citing their expansive range of influences, Collás and Marquand have created something all their own. A tasteful blending of dancefloor oriented disco, 70’s soul, and synth rock mixed with psychedelic, progressive rock, this is definitely new. Their self-titled debut album is sure to be a success and features contributions from a number of noteworthy NYC bands. The group has been described as sort of a Broken Social Scene for Manhattan, comprised of artists from the area including Aurelio Valle (Calla), Jaleel Bunton (TV on the Radio), Carol C (Sí Se), Jon Spencer (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion), Lady Tigra (L’Trimm), Morgan Phalen (Diamond Nights), Bart Davenport (Honeycut ), Tommy Brenneck (Amy Winehouse, the Budos Band), and slide guitarist Ellen McIlwaine.
The album’s first track summarizes their sound pretty accurately. From a slow, droning drum beat with a powerful, overdriven, psychedelic blues guitar session to a danceable, upbeat, synth-led jam, the band covers a lot of ground. It sounds like a great instrumental jam from some 70’s band but with synthesizer where the organ usually would be. You can taste disco roots mixing with psychedelic prog-rock inspirations. “Testimony” features Bunton of TV on the Radio adding a soul-driven psychedelic guitar sound to some great funk drumming and Valle’s vocals. Probably the most original guitar-driven song on the album is “Tears,” which features funk rhythm guitar blending with Ellen McIlwaine’s slide guitar, Jethro Tull-esque flute solos, and powerful vocals. On the other hand, “15 to 20” is a guaranteed dance hit featuring undeniably catchy vocal hooks by Lady Tigra (her and Bunny D had a huge hit as L’Trimm with the song “Cars with the Boom,” remember?). “You’ll Disappear” is a synth-driven dance anthem that still feels like it came from genuine 70’s soul and disco. These guys aren’t turning out the everyday banger, they’ve crafted new classics.
Besides their formidable debut album, The Handclap Band’s live show is something not to be missed. Here’s Friendly Fire Record’s description (we agree): “Live, The Phenomenal Handclap Band is distilled to an eight-member powerhouse, an eye-popping spectacle that overwhelms the senses. It pulses with a savage rhythm section that provides the ultimate foil for cascading guitars and electrified washes of organ and synthesizers. Their delirious sermonizing whips crowds into a charismatic frenzy. Needless to say, their live shows are more akin to a spiritual church revival than an actual rock show.” We here at IODA can testify to the quality of the band live; they treated us to a fantastic set at our annual SXSW showcase! Be sure to pick up their album and make time to see their quality liver performance on their next stop through your city; this group has a long and fruitful future ahead of them.
To get a taste of the band live, check out the video for “You’ll Disappear” and then grab the PromoTrack to go:
The Phenomenal Handclap Band
“You’ll Disappear” (mp3)
from “IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009″
(ioda)
