The Zebras: Science Competition

SXSW Photo Blog Journal
The Zebras: March 15 at Lovejoys for the IndiePop Hootenanny

Attending the Indiepop Hootenanny was a dream come true. There, in a small side-street bar with the plural name of an underground British pop band (Lovejoys) were some tremendous bands off the lovable Portland indiepop label Magic Marker Records. That day BOAT would play (always a FensePost favorite), as well as The Manhattan Love Suicides and Sweden’s very own The Faintest Ideas. Kicking off the day, however, would be The Zebras, hailing from Australia.

The hootenanny was hosted by Magic Marker Records and 3 Imaginary Girls, two legends in the world of Northwest indiepop. They opened the bar and I indulged a bit. OK, maybe more than a bit.

I'd heard rumors of the horrid beer east of the Rocky Mountains, but while that may hold true in mid-country USA, it certainly didn't for Austin. Throughout SXSW, I became a bit of a Shiner Bock fan.

When The Zebras took stage, I wasn't quite sure what to think. But by the end of the first few songs, I was a fan. Their sound blended all those feelings I hold dear when listening to pop off Magic Marker.

There are similarities to New Zealands' darlings, The Bats. You can hear super strong hints of the C86 and Sarah Records era. It was readily apparent they had a sound to be reckoned with.

Most songs the group played hailed from their 2006 sophomore release, Worry A Lot. Each song was a mirage of catchy phrases and driving percussion. Case in point: listen to "Science Competition" and you'll be astounded by the powerful chorus and of the tune in general.

The title track follows suit with chorus lyrics like You can stay at home here on your own / I won't stop you... Just give me back those records that I loaned / I won't stop you...

The Zebras: Science Competition (mp3)

The Zebras: You Look Ready (mp3)

Download and hear more by The Zebras on MySpace.

Read the FensePost review of The Zebras: Worry A Lot