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With so many new bands cropping up every day, there’s bound to be some crossover in the name department. For example: There’s a Boston pop-rock group called THE MEN, a Brooklyn noise-punk band called The Men, and an electronic project from Le Tigre’s JD Samson called MEN. It can get pretty confusing.
Things got pretty confusing when we received an e-mail announcing the forthcoming release by a DIY act called The Gift. That’s because the most recent issue of the City Paper included a “One Track Mind” about a song off the debut album by a local DIY trio called, yes, The Gift. The band celebrated the release of Mostly in Sickness at the Black Cat almost two weeks ago. Something didn’t add up.
Turns out, this e-mail described the latest effort by a band from Portugal, not D.C. It turns out they play light, airy synth-pop, and their new album is called Explode and comes out in September. Oh, and they’ve been around since 1994.
The Portuguese group may have the locals beat in age—-the D.C. act started up in ’09—-but we prefer the harsh, heart-pounding tunes from the hometown crew. But take a listen to both acts and decide for yourself:
The Gift (Portugal) – “RGB” (off Explode):
The Gift (D.C.) – Mostly in Sickness:
