Male Bonding

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More About

• Doug Wallen
• Vivian Girls
• Teenage Fanclub
• Indie Rock and Indie Pop
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

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Legions of young bands are doing the skuzzy, fuzzy thing, but the London trio Male Bonding brings a wealth of surefire hooks to the equation. All splashing melodies and crashing instruments, the band’s debut Nothing Hurts has songs that would fit on Teenage Fanclub’s Bandwagonesque. It’s more punk and off-kilter in other places – think Vaselines – and there’s a thread of confusion and awkwardness in the lyrics. “Weird Feelings” jumps out immediately as the most intelligible slice of garage-y pop, although the closing anomaly “Worse to Come” uses acoustic guitar and guest vocals from Vivian Girls to excellent effect. Prior to its recruitment by Sub Pop, Male Bonding had only a few songs scattered across vinyl on its own label. After hearing Nothing Hurts, it’s clear the vote of confidence was well worth it. With The Soft Pack. DOUG WALLEN
Fri., April 16, 9 p.m., 2010