The New Standards | es

Starting with the circuit-bent toys and keyboards of Kevin C. Smith and running through Maurice Rickard's live processing, the improvised results range from an exploration of a landscape of tense sonic alienation, to abstract IDM, to light comedy. http://www.myspace.com/thebureauofnonstandards .

The Spring Standards (formerly Old Springs Pike) are an energetic force of three-part harmony from New York City circling over a rock n' roll sound with an old country aftertaste. From small towns to big cities, they explode on stage with spirit, spontaneity, and a style all their own. MTV's John Norris says "They willingly embrace dissonance, and their execution is impeccable, from their tight, CSN-worthy vocal harmonies to their wickedly intense percussive power." The Springs Standards are currently touring the east coast and working on their 2nd album. Their debut EP, No One Will Know, was released in July...

There is more than one artist named The Standards: 1) A Thai-Brit quintet based in Bangkok, The Standards comprise of charismatic SE London native and Damon Albarn look-alike Matt Smith on vocals, percussion and melodeon and Stevenage boy Paul Smith (no relation) on guitars and backing vocals. Making up the rest of the band are the Thai contingent of Manasnit Setthawong on synths, keys, backing vocals and kinky boots; Ayu Charuburana on drums and last but certainly not least, Sithikorn “Mackey” Likitvorachai on bass. Free tracks can be listened at their offical website, thestandards.tk. 2) The human voice, that’s how...

From www.myspace.com/thenewstandards: The New Standards are an odd minimalist trio (piano, stand-up bass, and vibraphone) that play their favorite pop songs with a jazz-flavored, bare-boned soul. John Munson, bass/vocals, was an original member of Trip Shakespeare and went double-platinum with his next group, Semisonic. Chan Poling, piano/vocals, founded the punk-pop outfit The Suburbs and amuses himself and others writing music for the theater, television and films. Steve Roehm, vibes, began his career in the wild Texas punk group Billygoat and also plays in the avant-jazz-funk-fusion group Electropolis. The lads are just finishing their second CD produced, like their first, by...

Adapted from the band's website at http://www.centralstandards.com At the time of their first show together early in 2001, The Central Standards' founding members and songwriters Jeff Capps and Ted Horrell had no intention of forming a band. After stints with Missouri groups 10shy (One of These Years) and Resident Clark (Horseshoes and Handgrenades), Capps and Horrell both had embarked on careers as high school teachers. The two singer/songwriter friends, who taught in classrooms next door to each other, booked the show simply as an opportunity to perform--a chance for each to work out some new songs and strum along together...