[direwolf74]

Anybody else into this band? I picked up their debut album "Jackson Square" today at HMV just for the hell of it. I remember somebody mentioned that they were one of the opening bands for the Hip in London this summer, so I decided to Google them and check some stuff out on Youtube. Long story short, this band is fucking amazing. Just pure balls-out rock n' roll with terrific melodies, solid hooks and great lyrics. It's not often I end up loving a new band on first listen, but I'm only about 6 songs in right now and this album is kicking my ass. As a hardcore music geek, I pride myself on keeping my ear to the ground when it comes to new, undiscovered indie-rock, but somehow this band has eluded me until now. If it weren't for the Hip and this forum, I might not have discovered them. Big thanks to anybody who mentioned them here!

:music

[The Heron Outside]

Yeah man, they're unreal. Jackson Square hasn't left my music box for a few weeks now. I call them the new Constantines. Perfect openers for das hips.

[Joe]

Saw them open for Matt Mays last October and they were awesome. Great energy live, and their lead singer can sure belt it out.

[grimes]

I first heard about these guys a couple years ago through a mutal friend in Hamilton (actually they weren't even called the Arkells back then) and I thought they had some serious potential. I picked up Jackson Square shortly after it was released and it's been in my regular rotation ever since. And they're even better live - definitely recommend taking in a show if you get a chance.

[das_hips]

Yeah man, they're unreal. Jackson Square hasn't left my music box for a few weeks now. I call them the new Constantines. Perfect openers for das hips.

I've only heard the single on the radio; I was positive that it was The Constantines until I heard the DJ pronounce that they were called 'The Arkells'. Very similar sound (the singer almost sounds identical, in my opinion), and I really enjoy The Constantines, so I think I'll have to pick this up.

[Summiteer]

Yup Sounds like Cons all the way, but i like it :music

[direwolf74]

Yeah man, they're unreal. Jackson Square hasn't left my music box for a few weeks now. I call them the new Constantines. Perfect openers for das hips.

I've only heard the single on the radio; I was positive that it was The Constantines until I heard the DJ pronounce that they were called 'The Arkells'. Very similar sound (the singer almost sounds identical, in my opinion).

I agree both bands share a somewhat similar musical style, but I don't think the singers sound anything alike. The Constantines' Bryan Webb has much more of a gravelly Springsteen-esque sound than the dude from the Arkells.

[grimes]

CBC Radio 3 has their set from SxSW earlier today up for your listening pleasure...

[The Heron Outside]

Man oh man did they ever kill last night at Junofest. They brought two soul singers on stage for a stirring rendition of "Amazing Grace" before launching into Deadlines, the highlight on Jackson Square. Absolutely unbelievable. This band is going to do awesome things.

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainmen...story.html

[Tthip]

[youtube]8WcTCOMwhMs[/youtube]

[Tthip]

Damn - thanx guys.
I grabbed this album a couple of months ago based on your recommendations and the youtube clip. But I did not listen to it until today.
After one time through, what a great album.
It is like a mix of Sam Roberts and The Killers. (very cliche to compare it to other artists, but I definitely thought I was listening to each group several times throughout.)

Is there any live stuff to download anywhere?

[grimes]

^ Not much unfortunately. In addition to the link posted earlier in the thread, CBC-R3 also has their show from Windsor earlier this month here. Be sure to listen to via the "full show" link rather than track by track because there's a pretty kickass cover of Tears of a Clown hidden between Country Boy (which is a new song) and The Ballad of Hugo Chavez. I highly recommend taking in a show if you get a chance though. They headlined an Edge 102 event at the Sound Academy here in Toronto last weekend and they seem to be getting even better every time I see them. They played every song off the album, a couple new ones, and the aforementioned cover. Great stage presence. Anyone going to see The Hip tomorrow in London, do yourself a favour and show up in time to see these guys.

[Tthip]

^ Not much (live) unfortunately. In addition to the link posted earlier in the thread, CBC-R3 also has their show from Windsor earlier this month here. .

Did anyone grab the live tracks?

[Tthip]

Arkells Announce National Tour

Oct. 1 Montreal, QC NHL Face Off 2009 on Crescent Street (free show)
Oct. 5 Halifax, NS @ Alexander Keiths Brewery
Oct. 22 Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus (CASBY Awards)
Oct. 24 Brantford, ON @ The Ford Plant
Oct. 27 St. Catharines @ L3 Nightclub
Oct. 28 Windsor, ON @ The Chubby Pickle
Oct. 29 Guelph, ON @ Cowboys
Oct. 30 Burlington, ON @ The Legendary Red Rooster Vintage Cafe
Oct. 31 Sarnia, ON @ The Stubborn Mule
Nov. 4 Peterborough, ON @ The Historic Red Dog w/ The Novaks
Nov. 5 Kingston, ON @ Clark Hall Pub
Nov. 06 Montreal, QC @ Cabaret La Tulipe
Nov. 07 Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music Hall w/ The Novaks
Nov. 11 Thunder Bay, ON @ The Outpost w/ The Novaks
Nov. 12 Winnipeg, MB @ Pyramid Cabaret w/ The Novaks
Nov. 13 Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos Cantina w/ The Novaks
Nov. 14 Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room w/ The Novaks
Nov. 17 Kelowna, BC @ Habitat w/ The Novaks
Nov. 18 Victoria, BC @ Lucky Bar w/ The Novaks
Nov. 19 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue w/ The Novaks
Nov. 21 Calgary, AB @ The Legion w/ The Novaks
Nov. 22 Regina, SK @ The Exchange w/ The Novaks
Nov. 27-28 Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace w/ The Novaks
Dec. 3 London, ON @ Call The Office
Dec. 4 Hamilton, ON @ The Studio at Hamilton Place

[direwolf74]

Nice! I'll be at the Calgary show for sure.

:thumb: