The band’s self-released debut EP, Hello Today, came out in early 2007. Soon, Eastside Angelinos couldn’t escape them. They played shows pretty much every week at The Echo, Spaceland, Little Radio, Silverlake Lounge, El Cid, El Rey, The Scene and the Viper Room. Those gigs led to live appearances on KXLU and Sirius Satellite Radio as well as airplay on Indie 103.1 FM and KROQ 106.7. Local bloggers like Aquarium Drunkard, LAist, You Set the Scene, Radio Free Silver Lake, Amateur Chemist, Rock Insider and Passion of the Weiss praised their EP and their passionate live performances. They all lauded the band, but couldn’t decide if Kyle’s voice was more “raspy” or “whiskey-soaked?” One even worried that Kyle might someday sing so hard that his uvula would explode. “The band is now a quintet and far beyond what you’d consider “passionate.” Furiously belting out melodies with guitars, percussion, bass and a wicked trumpet player in Maria DeLuca, the Switch played a brutal set with glorious results. If that display of musicanship wasn’t good enough, and it was, last night’s gig at Radio Free Silver Lake’s “Let’s Independent” sealed the band’s reputation as an incredible band to behold. I’d wager most people confuse The Switch as the next Cold War Kids, but this is light years better and definitely believeable.” PRESS “Formed two years ago, Los Angeles’ The Switch sports some ragged, booze-soaked vocals courtesy of one Aaron Kyle, and plays with a bouncy rock ‘n’ roll soul that commands attention. Think Greg Dulli’s Twilight Singers with less pathos and more laughter. Kyle has a similar R&B-singer-via-drunken-rocker vocal delivery with a less-is-more approach to rhythm guitar. In fact, apart from the opener, “Tongue Tied,” and “Living in Another World,” the band’s debut five-song EP, Hello Today, actually leans more on Joshua Charney’s piano for its foundation than Kyle’s guitar…” — PERFORMER MAGAZINE |“Tonight both bands join fellow bittersweet, melodic locals the Switch for Let’s Independent!, Radio Free Silver Lake’s monthly new-music showcase.” — FLAVORPILL |The Switch / The Youngs / Muso @ the Scene (Free) – The Switch are a really good local band that has recently been getting a lot of nice press. The Aquarium Drunkard recently had them on his show (you can download acoustic songs from the set). Joe at Radio Free Silver Lake recently named them his band of the week. I’ve called them “saloon-y” and compared them to Harry Nilsson and Paul Williams and solo McCartney. That’s a starting point anyway. The Youngs are a married couple who recently relocated from Seattle. They’re arty and slightly eccentric. — YOU SET THE SCENE |I don’t know quite how I ended up with The Switch’s recently-released Hello Today. I can’t remember if they sent it to me in the mail, if I bought it at Sea Level, or what exactly… That seems terribly ungracious, I know, but I’ve got to say that I’ve been really enjoying it, no matter how I came by the EP. It took a little bit for the band’s bedraggled, fall-down-the-stairs pop to sink in for me, but then it really did, and I’ve been listening to it quite often. But let’s skip any more of the flowery or overworked descriptions you normally get on music sites and just have you download the tracks Tongue Tied and Crazy below to hear for yourself. Then, you can see them play next month on April 17th at The Scene in Glendale — a venue that’s been getting increasingly better and better lately — with local pop heartthrobs Tandemoro. I know I’ll be there. — RADIO FREE SILVERLAKE - BAND OF THE WEEK |Hello Today was produced and recorded by Joe Napolitano, a member of the band, and quite honestly sounds more professional than a lot of its contemporaries out there. “Tongue Tied” starts off on a punchy opener that blends raw, raspy vocals with sweet harmonies layered on top of horns, guitars and keys. On the other end of the spectrum is “Crazy,” a slower more alt-folk tune that relies heavily on the viola and keys. The harmonious piano-driven pop continues with “Living In Another World” and “Jealousy In Three.” Finally there is “Vaudeville,” an instrumental track that reminds me (in a weird way) of a tamed down version of one of those Graham Coxon intermissions on an old Blur album. It is chock full of horns and leaves the listener salivating for more. Fans of The Beatles, The Animals, Tom Waits and Elvis Costello should take note and pick up a copy of The Switch. With the way their local scene is going as of late, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see their name in lights at a town near you soon. The band’s debut LP, And Now… Le Switch, comes out this summer on Autumn Tone Records (Aquarium Drunkard’s label). It was recorded and produced by drummer Joe Napolitano and mixed by Joe Napolitano and head Radar Brother, Jim Putnam. It’s a record that might bring to mind early-1970’s records like Ram, Nilsson Schmilsson, Muswell Hillbillies and Leon Russell’s Carney mixed with a touch of Dr. Dog. The songs showcase the musicianship of the members with tasteful arrangements and Kyle singing like his life depends on it. At times the lyrics get all sensitive and broken hearted, but Kyle’s not the type to curl up on his bed and cry himself to sleep; he’s going down to the bar to drown his sorrows in bourbon and beer. Following their recent appearance at the Hot Freaks! blogger curated party at SXSW, Le Switch have the coveted Monday night residency this May at the Echo. Supported by a slew of great bands, Angelinos won’t want to miss it. They’ll also be making a number of West Coast appearances in May in support of the Radar Bros. Le Switch will put a big ol’ smile on your face, but you might find yourself asking: “Is that drummer barefoot?” — THE TRIPWIRE.COM |
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