While this writer's a great one for the sense of place in Rock music, sometimes such thinking can throw an unexpected dummy.
JUKEBOX COLLECTIVE'S new single 'Icon Parade' is one such situation. Even the merest exposure to its' angular, electro-tinged pop charge suggests New York, New York, specifically James Murphy's DFA Collective and !!! Thus, it's quite a surprise to discover that JC'S main movers, guitarist Greg and vocalist Kev hail from South Africa and Sarf Lahndan respectively.
Once you've got over that shock, however, you quickly realise what a smart, sussed unit JC are regardless of where they're from. The band's line-up is completed by bassist/ synth meister Nick and drummer Josh and with 'Icon Parade' they have surely got sumthin' goin' on. Yes, it's a sumthin' with the sort of electro-edge that's turning scenesters heads right now, but it's also got stinging guitars, a propulsive rush of a chorus and Kev's gruffly charismatic vocal invective which can't fail to remind this writer of the long-lost Campag Velocet. That's a compliment, in case you were wondering.
Besides, any band with an ear for graphically relating an arcane tale is liable to catch my ear and Jukebox Collective certainly have that ability. 'Icon Parade' is based upon the all-true story of a quiet neighbour hassled by kids out on the razz each night (“animals, one and all/ they gather at the same time each night”) who ends up creating floats of American heroes (like the ones you get in parades) to distract himself from the abuse. Sounds unlikely, I know, but cut me a little slack. You won't regret it when you hear this.
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“They gave me tablets and tucked me up in bed/ but the room was facing left, so I turned it upside down,” relates Kev as the track makes for its' conclusion. So it's the sound of therapy, then? Maybe. But therapy ain't never sounded as inspired as this before.
Jukebox Collective on Myspace
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