The Love Shots EP

I have a new computer! Which means I can now post a couple of bands I've been wanting to write about

First up is a band from about 10 minutes away from my hometown: The Love Shots. A clever little pop-rock band currently comprised of just Rob Nelson and Daniel Craig, they have recently finished up recording an EP which was dumbfoundedly titled "2009 Demo" when I added it into iTunes (better programs out there? maybe but I don't really care). It is a nice refreshing little composition of 6 tunes, perfect to listen to right now as I'm sitting here in Champaign with a temperature of 91 and some very inefficient a/c.

The Love Shots recorded the demo with Brian Zieske at Gallery of Carpet. They say the process went pretty smooth, other than a minor problem with the solo on "Punctured Romance." If you have been following the Chicago music scene since the emergence of "those Fueled By Ramen" bands and other "emo" acts, The Love Shots were no doubt a welcome change of pace in the recording studio.

A multitude of influences from The Ramones, Sex Pistols, and The Smiths to others cited as broadly "random doo-wop artists" is very apparent. "Sunday's Vision" is playing as I type this and I can't help but note a strong Kooks sound. However, others tend to highlight a rougher, edgier rock sound, while the smooth vocals of "Banshee" coupled with jangly guitars makes for an evenly distributed set of songs. The Demo is hard to truly pinpoint as to what genre it should be in, perhaps why my copy doesn't show up as any specific one. Someone once called the band a "Death Wop" band, which is jokingly true with the amount the band admittedly talks about "dead stuff."

The band is currently working out a slight trend of bad luck with drummers. The band started with a friend named Johnny but due to conflicts with school can only play on a limited schedule. Another friend Steve, who lends his talents on the recordings for the Demo, is attending an out-of-state school this coming year, so the band is in need of a drummer. Pass the word on.

I would definetely give The Love Shots a listen, especially if you seek to enjoy joy, excitement, depression, axiety, ie all the great feelings in life.

The Love Shots on MySpace

The Love Shots - Cradle Robber

The Love Shots - Banshee