Anamanaguchi with Rock Club, from the Scott Pilgrim VS The World: The Game OST.

Anamanaguchi are a chiptune indie band from New York, New York! Headed by frontman, Peter Venkm—I mean er…Berkman with Dann—I mean James DeVito on bass, Ary Warnaar on guitar, and drummer Luke Silas.

Unlike other chiptune bands in the genre Anamanaguchi makes “loud, fast music with a hacked NES from 1985” and backs their synthesizers and NES with fantastic instrumentals. Also interesting, is that Peter states that the band’s music has nothing to do with videogames, it’s just their own original ideas of “simple” pop and rock songs with a twist; derivative of bands like Weezer and The Beach Boys.  

Funnily enough, and slightly contradicting to my above statement, the band’s music has appeared in videogames such as the Scott Pilgrim VS The World OST (obviously), and Rock Band (3)

I have to say, personally though that, I’ve seen these guys live. And they’re AMAZING. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. the energy they have, the quirky neon guitar/bass strings/wires, the glowsticks spread throughout the crowd, everything was just great. And I wouldn’t trade that night for anything.

Oh, and on top of it all, Everyone in the band is SO NICE! Peter is probably the cutest, and nicest guy I have ever met! he even gave me his autograph, and casually chatted with me for a while, what a guy!

It’s always so cool when you get to know the people who create such awesome works of art in person, it really gives you a sense of who they are, and why they do it.

ANYWAY. I want to say that this was a GREAT game, I mean story-wise it was far from accurate to the book OR movie. but, it was honestly the best experience I’ve ever had with a brawler-type videogame. from the amazing score, done by Anamanaguchi, to the animations done by the very silly, and very morbid Paul Robertson

(http://visublog.mechafetus.com/archives/author/paul NSFW!, js.)

It was an amazing game overall, and the music just added to it and increased the enjoyment of my experience in every way possible.

Here’s Cheap Shop, one of the really offbeat and…”slower” songs on the album, but still one of my favorites by Anamanaguchi overall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7o4k5tMeRE 

Also, here’s  the link to their website where you can get all their singles for the low cost of Zero dollars! ~ http://anamanaguchi.com/singles/

Graeme Shepherd, or better known by his stage name “Grum” is a Scottish musician, comparable to the likes of Daft Punk, and fellow Scottish electronic musician Calvin Harris. 

Grum released his confident debut record “Heartbeats” in 2010. The album’s style is derivative of 1980’s disco, and has been compared to Daft Punk’s album Discovery.

The first time I ever heard of Grum was due to his remix of Marina and the Diamond’s “Oh No!” Which I thought was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. The second time I heard Grum was in Saints Row The Third’s game soundtrack with Heartbeats, which caught my attention instantly.

Grum’s first two music videos “Through the Night” and “Can’t Shake this Feeling” were both shot in L.A, and both share a very 80’s-esque style.

Here’s the video for Through the Night, which feels like an 80’s cop sitcom gone bad, no seriously I’m not kidding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dUbtrTU-1U  

If you like the music, give the album a download, you won’t regret it. ~ 

*Extremely underrated*

Ladyhawke (Yes named after the movie), also known as Phillipa “Pip” Brown is a multi-talented New Zealand’er, and member of the indie rock? band “Teenager” with Nick Littlemore (of Pnau and Empire of the Sun), she likes wearing boy’s clothes, just because it makes her feel comfortable, and “Apparently” she’s a huge gamer! 

She made a brave and outstanding start with her 2008 self-titled album, with an overwhelmingly 80’s (comparable to pat Benatar, and Cyndi Lauper) sound and unforgettable tracks (for the most part). Although, she’s basically not released nothing since….

UNTIL NOW!
she has a new album entitled “Anxiety” due to come out next month! I’m so excited! ~ <3   

Also, here’s Manipulating Woman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mdd_W9c19M

My favorite song by Ladyhawke. ~

Late of the Pier, Formed in 2004, In actuality, started their careers in 2007 with the release of their single “Space and the Woods” from their debut EP, which was only limited to 500 copies! This was followed by the release of their following singles, “Bathroom Gurgle” and “The Bears are Coming” as well as their second EP.

In 2008 the band had a big break in releasing their first album Fantasy Black Channel, winning them a Neptune Music Prize from the drowned in sound website.

Following that they released two more singles, “Blueberry” and “Best in the Class” in 2010. Unfortunately, they haven’t been heard much from since.

They’ve toured with such musicians as Justice, Soulwax, Kaiser Chiefs, and Hadouken!

Their music style is fairly comparable to Gary Numan, Klaxons, and Metronomy, due to the use of synthesizers in a very unique pop-esque style.

In my opinion, songs like focker almost sound “hardcore” so when I thought Late of the Pier, I thought raw, gritty, obnoxious indie pop…Until they released Best in the Class.

 Here’s the Video to Focker. My other personal favorite from Fantasy Black Channel.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz5Dei5O3xY 

(Confined space + band + broken thermostat + melting insturments + melting people + freaky robot with giant marching band drumsticks = Deliciously 80’s video.)

Black Kids. Really?
Yup. that’s their name, the one thing I can really say about these guys is how ridiculously Irony-filled their name is, with there being one and a half people in the band who are actually black..(they’re siblings).

Founded in 2006 in Jacksonville Florida, they performed only in their home city, eventually making their breakout performance at the Athens Popfest in Athens Georgia in 2007. They then blew up and began showing up in music coverage everywhere, releasing their EP, got them favorable reviews and scored them a “new best music” commendation.

Either way, these guys hit my radar while I was searching related bands on last.fm
And I instantly loved their album’s silly lyrics and upbeat tracks. (and the backing vocals by the two lovely ladies in the band.)

They have style, and their music is definetly fun to listen and dance to, all the like.

If you like Hurricane Jane (which is my favorite from the album btw.)
Check out ~ I’m not Gonna Teach You’re Boyfriend how to Dance With You.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOV6I4fYnvQ&ob=av3n  

Also be sure to check out their other singles, they’re all fantastic. ~