treat yourself to sleigh bells
17 May
Sleigh Bells’ new CDÂ Treats is streaming for another couple of days on the NPR music website First Listen. A lot of people are talking about this band on playgrounds across the United States. Ok, that’s a lie. A lot of music sites and fan boys and girls have been talking about this Brooklyn band for months in eager anticipation of a full-length. I have to say it’s worthy of the hype. I’ve been dancing around the house to Treats, and I think you’ll want to as well.
Sleigh Bells are a duo made up of punk rock boy guitarist Derek Miller and pop singer/school teacher Alexis Krauss. The combo may seem unlikely, but like the color pink and spandex, they’re a perfect fit. Treats is full of bass-heavy beats and noisy guitar a little reminiscent of forerunners of this genre like The Beastie Boys but more dancey and with a sassy girl singing.
If you are a parent or old enough to remember watching the No Sleep Till Brooklyn video on Mtv, a few things may go through your mind while streaming Sleigh Bells…
Q: Am I too old to be listening to this?
A: Who cares.
Q: Do all school teachers have bands on the side?
A: A lot of them, yes. Teaching allows them to tour in the summer. If your kid’s teacher says they spent their summer traveling across the U.S. or slumming it in European hostels, you can bet they’re in a band.
Q: Can I pull off wearing pink spandex?
A: Only if you’re on stage.
Q: Should I blast this when I pick up or drop off my kids at school?
A: Yes and with the windows down.
Here’s a clip of Sleigh Bells performing live:
And, just for ol’ times sake, here’s The Beastie Boys vid for No Sleep Till Brooklyn!
They have been playing them pretty heavily on Alt Nation on Sirius – I like them. On a side note, I had one of my best runs on Saturday thanks to some Beastie Boys!!!