There’s a great compilation from Oak Apple Records called Fresh Fruit Vol. 1 featuring a swath of rock ‘n’ roll and a chance to check out this set of indie bands. Elevator Music (“The Rocketeer”) comes from skate punk’s pop core. The Shakedowns (“16 Years ‘Til Light”) lays out edgy rock for headnodding. There’s a bit of a jam groove to Fools Tongue’s American Band Rock styling on “Casting Shadows.”
Iamuse (“When She Ran From Me (Yeah)”) lands with 90’s indie rock complete with backbeat, organ, and a chorus that sounds like the Godfathers. The Sky Life (“Roots and Wings”) conjures up the Emo of Jimmy Eat World. Hotel of the Laughing Tree (“Arts ‘N Economics”) also works the 90’s sound, in this case hard rock meeting groove like a more rock version of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The Raptors (“System”) have garage muscle informed by metal’s pulsations and a blues rock swagger. The Desert Boys (“All Alone on the Weekends”) send up harmonizing twang pop rock like Roger Clyne or the Alarm. Finally, Zero Something sounds as if coming out of P is Panda Records—chiming guitar on top of indie garage where melody and whine come together.