Robots and Racecars. Dig it.
Posted By: Steel Tip | April 1, 2010 | No comments
Band: Robots and Racecars
Members: Matthew on vocals and guitar, Nicholas on vocals and bass, Frankie on vocals and drums, Tommy on vocals and guitar, Johnny on synth
You know the best thing about Philadelphia? If you guessed cheese steaks, then you’d be right. But the NEXT best thing about our great city is the local music scene. Throughout the last three years of doing radio, I’ve had the pleasure of talking to and meeting several local bands. I can honestly say, and I don’t mean to put down any of the other bands or singers I’ve met (as they’re all excellent in their own way) Robots and Racecars are not only one of the most talented bands I’ve come across, but the coolest. Totally a bunch of dudes you would feel comfortable in a bar knocking a few back with.
Here’s a quote from their biography section of their Facebook page:
“LIKE DARK AVENGERS OF THE NIGHT, Robots and Racecars are here to save the day! After tragically losing their parents to a hold-up gone wrong outside a showing of The Mark of Zorro, Robots and Racecars (Matthew, Nicholas, Frankie, Tommy & Johnny) have dedicated their lives to bringing all criminals to justice. After years spent honing their bodies and minds to the utmost of human perfection, and studying all the techniques of criminologists around the globe, they’ve returned to Gotham to strike fear and- wait… no, that’s Batman.”
Maybe it’s because they’re local and not mainstream, maybe it’s because I’ve known them for three years, or maybe it’s because they’re awesome… but I love how they go about themselves off and on the stage; whether as a band or as individuals.
Self-described as “pop punk” and “power pop”, I’d personally throw a very small, very rare, tag of “punk emo” to their sound. I hate emo- I don’t care if it’s music, movie, book, poetry, person, or cheese… emo is all that is wrong in this world. But Robots and Racecars finds a way to incorporate it ever so slightly, that I never even recognized it until a friend of mine mentioned it. I have several favorite songs that I’ve been lucky enough to be one of the elite few to hear, but the one that really sticks out to me is “For Those Keeping Score” on their first full length album from Broke A$ Records, We Can’t All Be Astronauts (available on iTunes and Amazon.com). It’s the perfect blend of pop and punk; of the local scene and mainstream.
Seeing Robots and Racecars at one of their shows is part of the experience. They have great sense of the stage and showmanship. They’ve played with so many bands (from other talented Philadelphia locals to The Ataris), and have been featured on not only my radio show, but the ever popular Radio 104.5 Philly. I’ve seen R&R play in The Trocadero main stage and own it. I’ve also seen them play smaller venues and own it. They play for the love of music; a rare trait to find in a band.
I highly recommend checking out Robots and Racecars on either their Facebook page or their MySpace Band Page. Give them a listen- I think you’ll find a new band to add to your collection.
I also recommend checking them out live Thursday, April 8th, 2010 at 7:00pm EST at the North Star Bar, playing with 100 Monkeys, in Philadelphia. It’s an all-ages show located on the corner of Poplar Street and N 27th St, tickets are only $13 in advance (contact R&R on their MySpace) and only $15 at the door.
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