Antennas Up
Antennas Up | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
| Genres | Electropop Funk Rock music |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | NAMBLA |
| Members | Kyle Akers Bo McCall Jon Ulasien The Ryantist |
| Past members | Lonnie Coleman |
| Website | http://www.antennasupmusic.com/ |
Antennas Up is a rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. Their music has been described as a "blatant and jolly appropriation of funk, disco, rap, synth pop and goofiness without apology."[1]
Since forming in 2008, the four-some of self-proclaimed nerds has performed alongside national acts such as Jack's Mannequin, Girl Talk, Matt & Kim, Electric Six, The Gay Blades, Ha Ha Tonka, Heypenny, Tommy and the High Pilots, Via Audio, Cloud Cult, and Cash Cash.
Their independent, self-titled album, which was released in 2009, was reviewed as:
A combination of "Yaz-era power pop, hook-filled synth, and skittery guitar with urgent vocals... [It] sounds like the result of cross-pollinating the lyrical prowess and hottt moves of Flight of the Conchords with the pop-electronica of CSS. It's fun, unselfconscious, and hedonistic."[2]
"Good lyrics combined with birth-of-rock-and-roll rhythms reel you in, and before you know it you're in deep....Altogether 'Antennas Up' is a very solid album, blending numerous ideas and influences. Definitely worth checking out, no matter your musical orientation."[3]
Three songs from the album ("Don't Wait Up," "On the Line" and "PSA") are featured on the game Tap Tap Revenge 3.[4]
In 2010, Antennas Up was selected to perform in an official showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas.[5] Later that year, The Boston Phoenix chose Antennas Up as the "Best New Band in Missouri."[6]
In 2011, "Don't Wait Up" was featured in the independent film Falling Overnight. Additionally, "December," the band's first single off of "The Awkward Phase," was featured in a video for The Buckle (clothing retailer)'s fall 2011 women's clothing line. Later that year, the band was chosen to perform in KRBZ's The Night the Buzz Stole Christmas show alongside Company of Thieves (band) and Matt & Kim. (Flogging Molly was scheduled to headline the show but canceled due to a family emergency.)
In early 2012, Antennas Up was featured in the independent documentary Corporate FM, which won Best Heartland Documentary Feature at the AMC Theatres Kansas City Film Fest. Later that year, the song "Break Me Down" off of the band's self-titled album was featured on A&E's television show The Glades. [7]
Antennas Up released their sophomore album The Awkward Phase on May 15, 2012. It debuted on the CMJ Top 200 Chart, where it continues to chart, having peaked at number 88.
Members
- Kyle Akers - lead vocals, bass
- Bo McCall - guitar, vocals
- Jon Ulasien - guitar, keys, vocals/vocoder
- The Ryantist - drums, vocals
Discography
2009: Self-titled (NAMBLA)
- Mixed by Allen Farmelo (Downtown Harvest, Department of Good and Evil, Time Farmer, Paul Britten)
- Mastered by Bob Power (Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Common, Erykah Badu, Citizen Cope, De La Soul)
2012: The Awkward Phase (NAMBLA)
- Produced by The Ryantist (co-producer and engineer - Ha Ha Tonka Death Of A Decade, Antennas Up Self-titled)
- Mixed by Mike Cresswell (mixing engineer - Lyrics Borne, Blackalicious, General Elektriks, Honeycut)
- Mastered by Bob Power (engineer and producer - Common, Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Citizen Cope)
References
- ^ Hester, Vern. "BENT NIGHTS Diamond Rings; Antennas Up". Windy City Times.
- ^ Dulin, Pete. "Antennas Up - The Interview". Present Magazine.
- ^ Savage, Eric. "Antennas Up (Self-Titled)". Innocent Words.
- ^ Harper, Jason. "Antennas Up Tap Taps into your iPhone". The Pitch.
- ^ Spencer, Tricia. "Antennas Up Interview: SXSW 2010". Spinner.
- ^ "Best New Bands in America". The Phoenix.
- ^ "The Glades, Season 3: Old Times". A&E.