Now, this might seem a little odd for most of our readers since even at first sight, the name of the band is undecipherable. So, this post will be about a Hungarian band, Népi Papa és a Haverok. Hungarian scenesters can spot a couple of figures in the band who might be familiar from other acts. The point is, NPH is Hungary’s only band that is actually funny and not trying to be in an embarassing way. They combine the fun with a huge background of pop music’s history. The music is full of elements of punk, post-punk, ska and other stuff I’m not acquainted with. This makes live shows quite powerful. And fun. Their lyrics are immensely creative with the themes of sexuality, identity and of course, they are the only ones in Hungary I know who can be vulgar but it doesn’t feel forced. If you understand Hungarian, in their songs you can hear about sultan cocks, flying cunthair, attraction to the neighbour guy, a Californian ‘queen’ and stuff that’ll make you laugh your ass off. The singer is actually so weird on stage that for one, he could do stand-up comedy better than most stand-up comedians and he can totally sell anything. I mean if the music sucked (the situation is quite the opposite), he would still be worth watching on stage. Nevertheless, listen to the song below, you can read my very sophisticated title-translation in the post title. Awesome song, the chorus is unforgettable. If you happen to be in Hungary and they happen to have a gig, don’t miss out on it.

Népi Papa és a Haverok - Baszni, Baszni [mediafire] // [ysi]

ps. thanks to bede in the comments for mentioning the strange resemblance (I’m hesitant to call it a cover) bw this song and the Modest Mouse’s Tiny Cities Made of Ashes. Super irony.

We had We Smoke Fags…is this gonna be the era of ‘We…’ band name? Is ‘We’ the new ‘The…s’? I guess we’ll never know. However, relevant to the subject: We Have Band is a 3-piece from London city. Somehow they became the latest blog-band. With their single Oh! featured on the latest Kitsuné Maison compilation and remixes by Gentlemen Drivers and Plugs! Whether they are the new Metronomy (jesus, are bands gonna have tribute bands now after their first album?) or not, they certainly make some sweet authentic sound that’s not like the daftpunkish robot-disco but more like the postpunkish one. I mean, it’s very dry but at the same time danceable (at least alternatively). Gentlemen Drivers are from Paris and I like them since their Teenagers rework. Sweet job on this one too. We Have a Listen.

We Have Band - Oh! (Gentlemen Drivers remix) [zshare] // [ysi]

I’ll quickly do a second post. It’s gonna be about Late of the Pier who I’m crazy about since the first time I’ve heard Space and the Woods and stuff pre-release. Their album is one of the most anticipated LPs of the UK this year. Entitled Fantasy Black Channel it’s gonna come out on the 11th of August. You should definetly buy it.

All the singles have been brilliant. From Space and the Woods (video) until the latest, Heartbeat (video). The full-lenght is produced by Erol Alkan which is a good thing and helps with the experimental electro parts. The whole record is ambitious and the Liars-esqe edge is there, full of styles and complexity from the avantgarde pop of The Bears Are Coming to the synth-metal of Whitesnake (awesome title, I love band titles) and the post-punk of Bathroom Gurgle. The aesthetics and image is like inviting Dali to create a series of paitings about the 1980s. Late of the Pier belongs to the new UK-generation beside Foals and Friendly Fires who are mixing indie, electro, hardcore, synths and post-punk, etc in an interesting new-ish way to create a unique and really progressive atmosphere. I’m not sure that the album is a great listen as a whole, it’s not perfect, it doesn’t have a controlling concept but the variety is amazing. It’s just not a perfect pop record. Listen to one of my favourites the hurrican-like VW (why is there a reference to a German car brand?) and the awesome*10 remix of Heartbeat by Hot Chip.

Late of the Pier - VW [zshare] // Late of the Pier - VW [ysi]

Late of the Pier - Heartbeat (Hot Chip remix) [zshare] // Late of the Pier - Heartbeat (Hot Chip remix) [ysi]

XX Teens is a five-piece band from London, UK. Like a proper band, you know. There was a lot of hype around them and though they have a new single out and the album will be released 28th of July. They were called Xerox Teens but Xerox photocopier, etc company made them change it. Yeah, well, it would’ve been hard to play on a Xerox machine-something on stage. This is so funny, I mean rockband vs photocopy company? Haha, people are really serious about names. Proper name, totally sacred stuff.

Nevertheless, the XX Teens made the album and it sounds cool. At the very least it’s much better than the overhyped psychobilly revival of The Horrors. Dancey, dirty, noisy art-punk. Seems like a much more honest follower of the tradition than many other recent post-punk acts.

XX Teens - B-54 [zshare] // XX Teens - B-54 [ysi]

Sexy in black, scary in black, synths in black, sedated in black… The Black Ghosts are Prince with the hair of Robert Smith in a giant disco on the other side of heaven and the river Styx. The duo from London are one of the most entertaining electro acts nowadays. With a lot of diversity and a tasteful combination of influences they are getting ready for the July 8 release date of their debut LP. Pre-order from the label.

I won’t write a lot, everyone has posted about them and clearly it’ll be hard to live up to the expectations and the hype but I have a strong feeling that they won’t dissappoint. The vocals of ex-Simian singer, Simon Lord is like the best relaxing massage which rejuvenates the body and the soul so you wanna jump back to the tranquilized dancefloor made up of stars which have sexual desires. Watch out, darkness lurks in the shadows…umm…yeah, so the depths of human soul are scary, even in the most calm situations. Neurotic stuff and the unconscious haunts in easy listening. With the music supporting the whole thing, it will dominate upcoming Valentine’s Days’ twisted mixtapes…if you know what I mean haha…pfff… Seriously, watch the lyrics, brilliant.

The Black Ghosts - I Don’t Know (zshare) // The Black Ghosts - I Don’t Know (y. s. i.)

“i don’t know what she did

but she did it to my head”

Poni Hoax is a five piece band from Paris, France. Well, they are electro but they rock as well. Arty post-punk with catchy electronica. Their song Budapest made quite a buzz in 2005. It was remixed by Joakim. (I know him since the Hearts on Fire remix, seems now he co-produces their new LP and owns their label.) Now, with their second album entitled Images of Sigrid (TigerSushi records, 28th April) they are gonna triumph. Antibodies starts like a Blondie song and (video) was their previous single in 2007 and the next one is Pretty Tall Girls which is quite awesome. When the chorus hits in it kinda blows anyone’s head off.

Poni Hoax - Pretty Tall Girls (zshare)

Poni Hoax - Pretty Tall Girls (y. s. i.)

The Black Ghosts are greatly admired by us here at Kunk HQ. They’re a duo from London and one of their members was in Simian (you might have heard about the ancestor of Simian Mobile Disco). They already have some pretty cool remix treatment from the likes of The Whip, Kissy Sell Out, Switch, Fake Blood, etc. Now you think you’re able to guess the music but that’s not the case. The Black Ghosts have quite a unique sound. The vocals are monumental and the whole danciness gets a twist because of the postpunkish gothic attitude borrowed from the 80s, the funky stuff and the symphonic parts.

Seems like they’re gonna have a new release out. ‘I Want Nothing’ was on the ‘Any Way…’ single (video). Now they have a couple remixes and an extended mix for it. Personally, I’m into the extended mix but Sinden’s has something to it as well. I don’t really like Sinden though I know this Count & Sinden thing is hugely hyped. Btw the Count looks a bit like Ashton Kutcher.

“I want nothing but to dissolve in the night and to feel direction no more”

The Black Ghosts - I Want Nothing (Extended Mix) (zshare)

The Black Ghosts - I Want Nothing (Extended Mix) (y. s. i.)

The Black Ghosts - I Want Nothing (Sinden remix) (zshare)

The Black Ghosts - I Want Nothing (Sinden remix) (y. s. i.)