The band name is misleading. Title and cover design do not suggest that there is an extremely explosive CD disc behind it. Girl Band consists of four male Dubliners who picked up their instruments during puberty as fans of The Strokes. In the meantime, they are in their twenties who have come the long way from European club tours in cars that are too small and who release and sell singles themselves.
Their live reputation grew and Rough Trade got wind of that, the label that includes The Strokes. But Girl Band has long since outgrown that fan status, as evidenced by their debut album Holding Hands With Jamie. On this they produce a sound that is as tight as it is abstract in which the mechanical of techno grinds against fierce punk and post-punk. The drums sound like trash cans and the bass low and hypnotic. The guitar is mainly used to produce noise while the singer cries out for Nutella with a distorted voice. Holding Hands With Jamie as a whole has something of a dark and energetic ritual. Not for delicate souls. (MR)more
