Philadelphia Bands: Toy Soldiers

Music Review

Crooning vocals and toe-tapping beats are what make Toy Soldiers so memorable. Their light guitar riffs make the music fun and takes this band in a twisting, turning timewarp. With a slight bluesy twang, Toy Soldiers sets up a kind of soulful, modern spin on classic rock 'n' roll, bringing it to 2012 with a fresh coat of paint. As local music connoisseur, Jake Brophy, puts it, "It's cowboy shit."

Made of members Ron Gallo, Dominic Billett, Matt Kelly, Luke Leidy, Bill McCloskey, this Philadelphia band will knock you out with its leather boots and shake you down. Come see them at World Cafe Live this December 22nd, and expect only the best.

Baltimore Bands: Sea Patterns

Music Review

Being from Baltimore, the local music scene has always been something I've been a part of. If you're in town this Thanksgiving break, you've got to go see Sea Patterns rock out at the Charm City Art Space this Friday, November 23rd.

Made up of singer/guitarist Kevin Wenger, singer/guitarist Jeff Koplovitz, and drummer Chris Sweeney, the power-indie trio describes itself on its facebook page as "kind of noise pop stuff like a punk arguing with a smiths fan." The band started in 2009 and continues to grow in its production of violent, catchy, beachy sounding songs that get you smelling salt in the air and feeling the grit of sand against your teeth. With only three years behind it, Sea Patterns has a developed sound that still feels raw like a teenage make-out sesh. Rock out to some rough and tumble surfy noise rock this weekend and get a head start on memorizing those hard to catch lyrics by checking out their soundcloud. Don't forget to get a download of their album off of bandcamp.