Wow! When I heard that Dan Kopko (Watts) and Jen D'Angora (The Dents, The Downbeat 5) had started a new band together, I was 100 percent sure it would be great. But somehow the debut single from The Shang Hi Los is even better than I could have imagined. Boston does it again! The track is called "Sway Little Player", and it's the kind of rock and roll song you'll want to play on repeat all day (or is that just me?). Kopko and D'Angora are no strangers to any longtime follower of this blog. On "Sway Little Player", they share lead vocals and sound absolutely amazing as a tandem. They are joined by Lee Harrington (The Neighborhoods) on bass and Chuck Ferreira (Eddie Japan, Lonely Leesa & The Lost Cowboys) on drums - making The Shang Hi Los the latest in an endless line of Boston garage/punk supergroups. This particular track combines the spirit of late '50s/early '6os rock and roll with a cool punk/new wave edge (I'm getting huge Blondie vibes, which is never a bad thing!). Music doesn't get any more upbeat or catchy than this. If this song doesn't make you feel good about being alive, there is probably no hope for you.
"Sway Little Player" releases today on Rum Bar Records, and I can't think of a more perfect addition to Malibu Lou's star-studded roster! It's not always easy to make a record in the middle of a pandemic. But Ed Valauskas, Dave Minehan, and Benny Grotto were able to team up to produce this perfect slice of joyful rock and roll. In addition, Harry McCoy produced the super fun music video embedded below. It gives you a great feel for what The Shang Hi Los are all about. What a debut. I am so excited to hear more! And if that's Dan's real hair, I am so jealous!
No comments:
Post a Comment