Band of the Week: abstract random

Saw this group last Tuesday in London and was really impressed. Part of a larger scene in Toronto (some of whom they'd brought with them), the trio combine hard beats, fierce lyrics and a bit of ramshackle stagecraft in an intriguing way. They also make their own videos.

Band of the Week: ZZZ's

Something different. This noisy band from Japan is currently on tour in New York, having wowed SXSW.

Band of the Week: She Makes War

A one-woman operation, She Makes War makes lush, moody pop music and is a mistress of multi-tasking, juggling guitar, loop pedal and uke. Her second album, Little Battles, is released on 9 April.

This video comes from her first album, Disarm, and was shot in sunny East London. Not enough vids on bicycles, IMHO.

Band of the Week: Pussy Riot

Some weeks after their performance in a Moscow church led to arrests and detention, Pussy Riot have made it into such unlikely media outlets as the BBC and FT, making them the most visible opposition forces to Vladimir Putin and all he represents.

The group's actions have also led to a revived discussion about the power of punk in modern society, which is to be applauded, though some of us have been having this conversation for more than 20 years. Oh, and Riot Grrrl never actually went away, chaps.

Here is the punk prayer that got alleged members arrested.

Band of the Week: Plaided

So, while we're waiting, here's some groovy music. Plaided are a duo who hail from Vienna. I saw this band on Friday and keenly await their debut in summer. This was the first single.