I was brought back to a familiar land last Wednesday; a place where I enjoy new music merely for the sake of having fun and relishing in its melodic sounds, and not criticizing a bands ability to prove how pretentious their noises can get. It’s been a while since I’ve come upon bands who decide not to live up to the industrial norms. When contemporary pop-indie rock meets garage post-punk roots you will find The Twees, a Long Island band, and The Answering Machine, natives of the UK.

It was an interesting trip out to Greenpoint, Brooklyn and when I finally reached the industrial-looking drinkery, Coco66, I was fronted with a loading dock entrance and heavy duty double doors. I was not expecting to be greeted by a healthy looking establishment filled with wooded bench areas, tables and a long bar. There was an infectious low-key flavor that tranced me into not wanting to venture any farther than right in front of the liquor-decorated wall and row of draft beers. Another set of double doors and a large window farther back caught my attention. Being able to watch the show while still drinking and chatting with friends, Coco66 really provides multiple opportunities for its visitors to absorb the night’s vibes in different waves.

The venue itself is loaded with tables and couches, a fake fireplace, a foosball and pool table, while still leaving a large enough space for those willing to actually dance. As I toe-tap to some familiar favorite bands of mine as The Twees set up, I could not get over how authentic this place seemed to me. If one were to imagine a venue where punk or post punk bands were to play during the 70s and 80s, Coco66 would be it. It could belong in no other place than within the Manhattan boroughs.

The Twees began their set. All I could think of was my youth and growing up listening to The Strokes or Hot Hot Heat or Reel Big Fish or any other pop-punk-ska-funk themed band. Being Long Island natives with amazing stylistic energy, I give The Twees a lot of credit for staying true to their hometown influences. The catchy melodies and beats from their EP, Lessons to Connect, denotes just that: a young, up and coming band that’s willing to test against music that’s ‘in’ right now and bring back sounds with a bona fide musical edge, which no one can deny, brings on a powerful connection between both crowd goers and its musical providers.

The crowd’s hips are itching to swing while waiting for The Answering Machine to begin. Although originating in Manchester, England, the band has a decent amount of followers here in the States. As I watch them perform, I understand why. Mixing explosive rhythmic instrumentals (including a giant-sized harmonica) and lustrous vocals (who doesn’t love an accent?) with stimulating stage presence gets the crowd to hopelessly fall for these English envoys. The Answering Machine’s music screams blunt honesty; real kids with real lyrics and a real sound. With phrases like, “I’m not as smart as I’d like to think, but I’m young/ People have no rights, they have great wrongs/ Bands have no rights, they only have great songs/ Don’t use big words, ’cause they mean so little/ Just hurry up and keep it simple,” it’s hard to deny. On the topic of connection, these guys have it. Gushing lyrics like, “Are we going to make this last?/ I think I spoiled it all last night, and for what?/ We float like specters on the corner of the street/ ‘Til we find our way back home/ Do you remember the lives we stole from songs?/We float like specters on the corner of the street/ We lost our way back home.” They grab a hold of your thoughts and take you for an unforgettable ride, bringing you back and forth into reality. As their set ended, I was left feeling a little empty, as if something really important was escaping my life. Luckily, The Answering Machine’s album, Another City, Another Sorry is available for instant replay.

The Answering Machine have just left the states, and hope for a quick return for a venturesome cross-country tour. Visit their website, , to keep up with them. The Twees also have a strong line of upcoming performances which can be checked out at on their Myspace.

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