For Day 1 of our Women's History Month homage to artists and bands, I present you Mindtroll. I recently saw this 4-piece at Hank's Saloon in their hometown of Brooklyn. So here we have it. This band features 3 girls, and 1 guy. Open up your ears and enter Mindtroll.
Mindtroll. More like mindfuck. Mindtroll is a band you can't easily categorize. However, one might call them "art punk." Mindtroll is like a musical protest with four people shouting about ice cream, jazz, being human, and suspicious packages. Oh yes, they go there.
The music is easily comparable to Bikini Kill with its spoken word revolutionary vocals and raw style; but, far more innovative with its use of accordion, saxophone, and megaphone beeps. In 2011, music even punk rock has become stale and boring. Mindtroll is a refreshingly fun band to come across. They also consist of a band who plays drums standing up, not sitting. This is only the second time I've ever seen this among any drummer period. Ellen of Mindtroll is only the second encounter of a drummer playing this way. The first encounter was Cupcakes from the duo pop group Hank & Cupcakes. It's probably more comfortable and fun, playing this way too. Also, hello, accordion player. How cool. They also rely a lot on their bass player to keep the groove. Their style is not traditional punk. And this is what I like about Mindtroll. They stand out and I don't think for the sake of standing out. But rather they just play whatever they are compelled to. And that, my fellow readers, is part of what punk is. Also, the short songs, partly political and social tone of the lyrics, and somewhat fast drum style.
Somehow they make their music sound both humorous and serious. This is seen through the song "Ex-Girlfriend's Never Gonna Get Her Bass Back." Vocals shift between bassist Zane, megaphone beeper and spoken word shouter Niina, and accordionist Eve. Their music also sounds both angry yet pretty light-hearted. "It is hard to be a human, when you have to learn so many things." Preach, Mindtroll! You hit the nail on the head. Their songs are loud and wholesomely hit and I think that's hard to come by with so many bands these days. If you're intrigued, download their EP for free here and check out a live video for "Suspicious Package" below. My ears are pleased when it listens to new music, so maybe yours will be too.
The music is easily comparable to Bikini Kill with its spoken word revolutionary vocals and raw style; but, far more innovative with its use of accordion, saxophone, and megaphone beeps. In 2011, music even punk rock has become stale and boring. Mindtroll is a refreshingly fun band to come across. They also consist of a band who plays drums standing up, not sitting. This is only the second time I've ever seen this among any drummer period. Ellen of Mindtroll is only the second encounter of a drummer playing this way. The first encounter was Cupcakes from the duo pop group Hank & Cupcakes. It's probably more comfortable and fun, playing this way too. Also, hello, accordion player. How cool. They also rely a lot on their bass player to keep the groove. Their style is not traditional punk. And this is what I like about Mindtroll. They stand out and I don't think for the sake of standing out. But rather they just play whatever they are compelled to. And that, my fellow readers, is part of what punk is. Also, the short songs, partly political and social tone of the lyrics, and somewhat fast drum style.
Somehow they make their music sound both humorous and serious. This is seen through the song "Ex-Girlfriend's Never Gonna Get Her Bass Back." Vocals shift between bassist Zane, megaphone beeper and spoken word shouter Niina, and accordionist Eve. Their music also sounds both angry yet pretty light-hearted. "It is hard to be a human, when you have to learn so many things." Preach, Mindtroll! You hit the nail on the head. Their songs are loud and wholesomely hit and I think that's hard to come by with so many bands these days. If you're intrigued, download their EP for free here and check out a live video for "Suspicious Package" below. My ears are pleased when it listens to new music, so maybe yours will be too.
Hell Yes Mindtroll!
ReplyDeleteMillion thanks for this article!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! This album rocks.
ReplyDelete