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The Brooklyn DIY rock band, Lightouts, recently dropped a new set of singles, featuring the band’s new vocalist, Ron Ron ‘Skip’ Greer, lead singer of the legendary punk rock band Dead Kennedys.
Since the last time we featured the band, Lightouts has performed live in the studios of the well regarded Seattle radio station KEXP, and won a battle of the bands against the popular electro pop band Ladytron. They’ve also been recognized as one of the ‘next big things’ and ‘hottest acts’ from SPIN, SXSW and CMJ. Combining stoner guitar rock, laconic vocals and low-key rhythms, Lightouts will remind some of indie rock bands like PAWS, Japandroids and Parquet Courts. KEXP‘s John Richards quipped: “Lightouts are everything I like about bands.”
The band’s newest single, “More Than Ever,” blazes along nicely with menacing guitar riffs, a chugging bass line, monotonic vocals and whip-lashing drum beats. Some will notice the likeness of Bowie, and bands like Television, New Order and Sonic Youth, in the band’s mix of post punk meets goth, which frontman and guitarist, Gavin Rhodes, has sculpted from the get-go, and remained true to over the years.
Early last year, the band’s long-time vocalist, Greg Nelson, and bassist, Dean Perry, left the band for other pursuits, even though Lightouts’ string of well received singles, and the terrific album, Want, were hailed by the music press, including The Village Voice, SPIN, Pretty Much Amazing, and IRC. The band also has a collection of excellent covers of Bowie, The Cure, Guided By Voices, Stone Roses and The La’s to boot.
In fact, it was the Want album, and Lightouts’ extended discography, that compelled Greer to join the band. “I definitely felt a resonance as I listened to Want,” Greer said. “I heard something in Gavin’s guitar playing [that] I wanted to interact with – hints of no-wave guitar soundscapes filtered through New Order and Television. And, I thought his arrangements were on par with anyone [else’s].”
The new “More Than Ever” single, paired with the wistful and ‘crickety’ B-side, “All We Had,” is Lightouts’ first drop with Greer on lead vocals. Earlier in the year, the band also drop a killer cover of Joy Division’s “Interzone.”
More Than Ever – Lightouts
“All We Had” Lightouts
“Interzone” (Joy Division) – Lightouts
“Push” (The Cure) – Lightouts