Thursday, June 21, 2012

Review: PK “The Lost Boys Sessions” [EP]


Rock

If you took Robert Smith of The Cure and injected his right arm with testosterone and his left arm with caffeine, you’d get a pretty good approximation of what the indie rock outfit PK sounds like. The urgency of early U2 resonates in their songwriting and new wave 80s sound effects abound, yet they sound like a comfortable companion to modern rock pioneers The Killers.

“The Lost Boy Sessions” marks the band’s second release, bursting with 6 songs to add some sizzle into your summer. Hailing from San Luis Obispo, California, PK is made up of Travis Hawley (Vocals), Matt DePauw (Guitar), Mikel Van Kranenburg (Bass), Nick Fotinakes (Guitar) and Rico Rodriguez (Drums). Hawley lived in England for five years before moving to the U.S., which deeply affected his vocal style – you’ll hear influences from Robert Smith to Bono to Danny Elfman. PK’s first record, “Into the Roaring”, got the band selected by Rolling Stone Magazine as 1 of 16 top unsigned artists. In the past year, the band has opened for such acts as Angels and Airwaves, Twin Atlantic, Aerosmith, Shiny Toy Guns and Youngblood Hawk.

Things start off on the right foot with “Berelain” (video below), a hugely energetic anthem that sounds like it could have been on the “Better Off Dead” soundtrack – easily my favorite on the EP. “London” is a tribute to Hawley’s stomping grounds, appropriately performed in Brit-pop style. If “Some Nights” doesn’t take you back to the 80s, I’m not sure what will – this tune is a blast, reminding me of Rock Kills Kid. The EP ends on strong notes as well, with the ambitious “Chase The Sky” and jubilantly catchy “I Know”.

PK released “The Lost Boy Sessions” on May 29th and you can buy it on iTunes here. The band is also giving away their full-length debut “Into The Roaring” here.

PK – Official site.

Check out the video for “Berelain” here:

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