Brian: With anticipation for Brand New's Daisy continuing to mount (and the release date exactly a month away), I thought today to be appropriate to showcase a couple related projects I've been feeling recently.

One is Long Island duo Sainthood Reps, who just recently debuted some material on their MySpace page. One of the two guys is Derrick Sherman, who acts as third guitarist for Brand New on most tours. If you're into this style of delicately atmospheric and progressive yet rather heady indie rock (sprouting up thanks to fellow acts like Robbers and Prawn), check them out. It's fairly pensive and earnest sounding stuff and seems to have a ton of potential.

The other is another Long Island act, the Republic of Wolves, a new side project of indie-folk pair Tigers on Trains (I think these dudes like animals). Without telling TROW, a friend of the band recently leaked snippets of their demos onto YouTube claiming they were Daisy demos. I don't think the band was too pleased with the stunt, but it certainly fooled a lot of people and garnered them a ton of publicity in the process. So, yeah, they sure sound quite a bit like Brand New, but I'd say their style mostly leans close to those leaked batch of demos from early 2006. There are some moments of brilliant restraint in their songs and I'd love to see where they can take this. Check them out on their MySpace.

Brian: I saw these guys open for Bridge and Tunnel at an apartment show a month or two ago and they fit in the lineup well in a weird way, while remaining totally their own band. If you like your "punk" really frantic, really noodly and a bit screamy and desperate -- think early Hot Cross or the more dynamic L'antietam stuff -- Boost is a good way to go. As far as I can tell, the band has thus far released a cassette split with a band called Fine Lines, and a three-song summer tour CD-R. If you like what you hear on their MySpace, feel free to download their brief discography here free of charge. They're seemingly on a brief hiatus until spring 2010 (college kids?), but it would definitely be cool to see where they take this sound next.

Brian: Restorations feature three-fifths of gruff, quirky post-hardcore revivalists Jena Berlin. While similarities between the two are present enough to bridge the gap for JB fans, there are plenty of atmospheric flourishes and a wonderful restraint to Restorations' procedure to sensibly warrant them being their own truly unique and self-standing project. You can hear hints of admitted influences like Lucero and the Weakerthans in there, but there's a surprising sparkle in the guitars that reaches far past any home/prarie-land punk acts. I like to think of them as what might've happened if Polar Bear Club took it in another whole direction after their demo release (that just woke mikexdude up from his Sunday nap).

I probably should have featured them a long time ago, but something recently jogged my memory and I noticed they finally had legitimate songs on their MySpace page after a long period of only providing live YouTube videos. They've been active for over a year, but no real demo or release has seemed to surface; here's to hoping they get their asses in gear while JB continues resting.

Brian: I have no idea when Greater Visions formed (late last year?), who they might cite as influences (Fairweather? Polar Bear Club? Stay Gold? Fuck if I know at this point) or if they have ex-members of any other notable bands (they sound too accomplished not to). But they friend-requested me on MySpace a few days ago and are surprisingly pretty fucking good. And you know those random friend requests; they're usually pretty disastrous. If you only listen to one of the two songs on their MySpace page, let it be "My Fight Club"; their vocalist sort of sounds like the dude from Fireworks at first, but the music is arrestingly atmospheric, definitely dynamic and suddenly throws in a few shocking changes before launching into more straightforward, melody-tinged hardcore territory. I can't gauge any information on this band other than the fact that they're looking for a guitarist and may have released an EP earlier this year (I asked if they had a demo or anything available and they decided not to respond). But still, this is really, really promising stuff and I'm curious as to what their deal is.

The Punknews Twitter account has become a great way to keep in touch with readers, and it's starting to provide some great feedback from folks who read the site but don't necessarily participate in the usual comment fray. Here's a recommendation that was tweeted our way. Fullerton, California's Disguster plays, fast, rough rock'n'roll in the vein of the New Bomb Turks or the Dragons. The band recently released a split with the ex-Humpers act the Hitchhikers (with whom Disguster shares a drummer) via Zodiak Killer Records and have a gig coming up supporting the Angry Samoans in Anaheim. Check their stuff out over at MySpace.

Brian: I know, we haven't done one of these in a while, but I finally got really inspired to post one up. Set Your Goals posted a bulletin on Friday night with some updates and casually recommended a friends' band. That band, Daylight, is pretty fucking good. Further proving Pennsylvania is absolutely killing it this last year or so (see Title Fight, Tiger's Jaw, Balance & Composure, etc. etc.), Daylight play the type of gruff but emotional punk rock with double-time licks that newer bands like Polar Bear Club and Transit are operating on full-scale. And they seem to do a damn good job of it. You can grab their five-song demo for free here, but if you're impatient, stream it at their MySpace page.

Brian: Usually, "members of" information doesn't really provide any insight into what a band actually sounds like. However, Thousandaires not only comprise of members from Bridge and Tunnel, Halo Fauna and Get Bent, but they actually resemble a potent, smooth blend of all those bands. Brooklyn videographer punx If You Make It recently posted a veritable wealth of releases for free download, one of which is Thousandaires' three-song demo. Don't let it get lost in the shuffle -- you can download it in a ZIP file here.

Aubin: Tellison's record is a relatively old one having been released in 2007, but it remains one of my surprise favorites - at least according to iTunes. The young band takes the sound of 90s-era emo, channeling both The Promise Ring and Braid along with a strong rock foundation. They have some terrific songs posted on their myspace page, but if you have to pick two, go with "Gallery" and "Reader."

Brian: Heathers are Irish twin sisters playing delectable, indie pop-basted folk that not only sounds like Tegan and Sara on paper, but CD as well. They seem to harken back to T&S's earlier days, but with more effective songwriting and the upbeat candor and constant uptempo jangle that actually makes them a decent fit on Plan-It-X. That's right, those overcutesy DIY punks are helping the siblings by releasing the duo's delicious full-length, Here, Not There., in the US. If the comparison piques your interest, definitely head over to their MySpace page where you can stream three songs.

Adam: Calgary's Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir is one of my absolute favourite bands, and I'll recommend 2003's St. Hubert or 2005's Fighting and Onions at the drop of a hat. The four piece churns out often rowdy, often dark tunes that are ostensibly roots music but far better suited for a dingy rock bar than a folk festival. Commentators have been apt at coming up with influences like Appalachian folk, delta blues, swamp country and ragged gospel. The accuracy of those tags is pretty suspect, but it sure sounds awesome. The obviously amused band recently commented "People will probably continue to describe us with nouns like moonshine, potato sacks, hobo campfire, and caveman." Figure it out for yourself at MySpace by playing "Oh Sorrow" and "Buried Them In Water." Give the new track "Never Go Home" a spin as well, it's from the band's new record Ten Thousand which was just released.

Brian: Vancouver's Carpenter have one huge collective mancrush on John Cougar Mellencamp. Seriously. Look at their MySpace page. Whether it's ironic or not, a certain level of down-home Americana certainly comes through in an otherwise melodic and fluid punk rock sound, and consequently, those who fell in love with last year's Marriage by Attack in Black should quite easily flock to Carpenter's new album, Law of the Land. The album was released this past Tuesday via Smallman Records. If you need more motivation to check them out, perhaps it'll pique your interest to know their alumnus includes By a Thread, All State Champion and Daggermouth.

Jesse: The words "soul revivalist" usually tend to conjure shudders and shrugs amongst music nerds, along with utterances of "Amy Winehouse?" from the masses. But there's a new boy in town by the name of Eli "Paperboy" Reed who's music rings true to the soul, R&B, and Spectorish pop of the late 50s and early 60s. With a slew of tracks up on the boy's MySpace page, one would think it would be hard to pick a favie; not so, however, as "Take My Love With You" takes the cake (incidentally, this is the cake I brought for an 'Org editor's picnic, sorry dudes, it's been stolen). Starting out with a shrieking howl and some bluesy riffs, the song breaks down into one of the most hip-shakin'-est tracks of the decade. And he's pretty easy on the eyes too.

Justin: I am pretty stoked about this. Iron Chic features fellow ex-Lattermen Phil Douglas and Brian Crozier on guitar, Lubrano (Small Arms Dealer) singing, John Mee (Agent) on bass and Gordan Lafler drumming. Long Island's own punkrock supergroup! "In One Ear" starts out the demo in a way that is instantly reminiscent of Phil's guitar work in Latterman and "Steel Wall Method," the third track sounds a lot like it could be a forgotten Avoid One Thing track, down to a impressive imitation of Joe Gittleman's vocals. Overall it sounds like the guitarists have cut out the more wandering and noodling parts from Latterman's assault while keeping the anthemic feel that brought that band a fair amount of success. I'm not sure I'm 100% into the weird electronic intros to "In One Ear" and "Timecop" but the rest of those songs rip. I won't lie and say that it feels almost a little too familiar at times, but it's hard to complain about hearing more music in this vein. "Sensitive Dependence" is a slow-burner that features more Gittleman-esque vocals, crooning about loneliness and chasing happiness in life. Good times for one and all.

You can hear it all for yourself if you cruise over to their website and grab their demo or drop them an email: ironchicsemail[at]gmail.com.

Jesse: You can't talk about modern music without giving due respect to the Melvins. These dudes have deconstructed everything and Lord knows their 2006 release, (A) Senile Animal, really tickled my fancy (although I'd probably move it up to the number one slot these days). Imagine my bleary, teary eyes when I found that they have a video up featuring two new songs! "Suicide in Progress" and "Billy Fish" will be coming out on their new album Nude With Boots coming out July 8 via Ipecac.

You can click Read More for the video.

Brian: Don't be fooled by Guiltmaker's home on Kiss of Death Records; if you're expecting filthy basement punk rock, you'll be sorely disappointed. That label released the band's 2006 EP, Driven by Arms, which was promising enough. However, Dilemmas seems like a huge growth for the band judging by the songs they've been posting on their MySpace page. Guiltmaker inject a bit of atmosphere and deep emotional textures into their new songs: picture a more energetic Elliott, or Circa Survive about two octaves lower. Be sure to give "Lost Ship," "Life Given Switch" and "Battle Mountain" a try if this sounds like quality.

Adam: I just can't get enough of the new Born Ruffians full length. The Toronto three piece plays jangly indie rock with enough sing-along freak-folk thrown in to sound great lined up to your Akron/Family records. Red Yellow and Blue came out just recently on England's Warp Records and it's definately worth a look. Just make sure you toss out Warp's reputation as an electronic music label, as this is nowhere close. You should go hit up "Hummingbird" and "Kurt Vonnegut" at MySpace. Or click below to check out the video for "Hummingbird."

Brian: If Rochester ever decides to bottle and distribute their water, then Evian and Poland Spring have top serious competition on their hands. Here's yet another musically accomplished act that's risen from various upstate towns, that one included. According to a friend of mine, Election Day (also based out of Syracuse and Oswego) indeed took their name from the Polar Bear Club song of the same name (well, apparently not, but I'm not going to edit this and pretend I never said it). No matter -- the similarities between the two are scarce. Election Day instead play a style of introspective, driving and dynamic hardcore that, while occasionally bearing stark similarities to Sinking Ships both musically and lyrically, seems like a unique entity of its own. With a seriously perfect punch of gang vocal usage and a weird, slight Rites of Spring flair to it all, the band's 2007 demo is top notch. Download it for free here, but if you're impatient, you can stream it at their MySpace page.

Jesse: It's been a few years since I've been blown away by an album's sheer ballsiness, but I can't stop spinning Capillary Action's new album, So Embarassing Hailing from Philadelphia, PA (and many other places), the group defies definition: metal riffs give way to traditionalist free jazz, soaring melodies topple down onto absurdist freak out moments layered on top of samba beats. Phil Spector-like arrangements contrast with sludge metal. And on record, they pooled in at least fifteen people to fill out their vision - strings and horns, extra guitars and keys, upright bass and auxiliary percussion. You can check out three songs on their MySpace page as well as a slew of tour dates.

Brian: The Editors' Picks are a rare feature these days, so I'm bending the rules a bit and recommending two very different acts for you this weekend.

The first is Kate Nash, a 20-year-old English songstress who released the rather excellent Made of Bricks through Fiction/Polydor last year. Meg piqued my interest about her this past week with a Lily Allen comparison, and it's totally grounded (just listen to "Pumpkin Soup"). There's definitely a bit of Regina Spektor on the album as well though, where Nash expresses often bitter narratives through a multitude of arrangements involving piano, acoustics, horns and more. One particular track, "Mariella," exudes a bit of a Dresden Dolls quality too. Anyway, check out her MySpace page for a few songs.

The second is Social Circkle, a band who writes lightning-fast, excellent early `80s-styled hardcore, much like their celebrated contemporaries Career Suicide. Just listen to "Canned Response" and tell me that's not the best thing you've heard in months. It's from their new 7", I've Got Afflictions, set to drop this coming Tuesday via No Way Records. (If you're aching for more, check out an MP3 from their 2007 7", Static Eyes, or download their 8-song demo for free.)

Brian: Maybe Rochester is the new Long Island. In recent years it seems like the city is effortlessly churning out a diverse array of emotional, hard, and/or heavy musical acts that write great songs right out of the gate. Take Sakes Alive!! and their three-song demo, "Presents", for example. Considering these are the first songs they've ever laid to tape (I'm pretty sure)...damn. In fact, one guy, Chris Vandeviver, is responsible for every charred chord, slammed drumfill and whiskey-tinged vocal line on the demo. And even though he was apparently let down by Crime in Stereo's Is Dead, I guess we can let it slide. We actually just posted a review of "Presents", and it recommended them to fans of Challenger and Hüsker Dü; I'd say that's pretty accurate, but if you generally like gravelly-sung punk rock played with a ton of emotion and intensity, check it out. You can also message them for a free physical copy of "Presents" as well.

Aubin: I'll be honest, I've got quite a soft spot for the oft maligned but usually fun genre of "horror punk." Between the twisted Grease-inspired outfits, gory lyrics and classic rock and roll base, there isn't much to find fault with in The Epidemic. The band just released the very tight, very fast Quarantine Days on Robot Monster and fans of everyone from Chuck Berry to The Independents will find something great here. You can check out a bunch of songs from the album on their myspace page.