Their name is Bandy. They are a band. And they want to understand.
A simple, but elegant epitaph for a band that’s perpetually on the hunt for the next basement to crank their amps in. Featuring former members of fellow Chicago power pop-rocker’s MAMA (Ross Howard & Paul Parts), Bandy continue the tradition of good time rock ‘n roll music with their debut full-length The Challengers.
From their name down to their sound, Bandy just wanna have fun, and The Challengers is a damn fun record. The album is made of 13 songs that range from garage rock odes to the basement to pure pothead rave-ups like “Need For Reefer”. Among the rock ‘n roll rippers are some Bandy ballads like “Passing the Rhyme” and “Ghost Love” that showcase the band’s indisputable knack for writing a killer melody.
Their sound invokes some serious Thin Lizzy vibes but the attuned listener will pick up influences as far reaching as The Undertones, King Khan & BBQ Show, The Mothers of Invention, and even a healthy dash of Little Richard.
Stream the album in it’s entirety below and wrap your head around the half-hour of power that is The Challengers:
The album is out on Cassette via Texas tape label Under The Counter Tapes on Friday, March 29th (that’s tomorrow!) Order it now via bandcamp or pick it up in person at the Bandy release show at Reed’s Local (3017 W. Belmont Ave.) with Easy Habits and Peach Fuzz. RSVP via Facebook.