MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR

MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR’s self-titled debut takes you through a smorgasbord of different influences that include: garage rock, experimental rock, art pop and more. At times, MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR sound like Grizzly Bear but then they transform into more of a Hüsker Dü type sound. This range is impressive for the two-piece which features Adrian Sebastian on guitars and vocals and Andrew Torrey on drums. Throughout the album tight drumming and strong vocals are the constant and help make the album surprisingly cohesive given the range of sound. Give this 5-song EP a listen if you’ve been dying to hear something fresh. For fans of: Grizzly Bear, Husker Du, Battles – Dan - Dan at Ovrld

December is here and we have one last DTU artist to introduce before we enter 2013, so please meet Major Major Major. The two-piece garage pop band featuring singer and guitarist Adrian Sebastian and drummer Andrew Torrey, hails from Austin, Texas and is influenced by the energy and rawness of bands like Ty Segall and WAVVES. After recording their EP, the band (then a 4-piece) continued playing live shows 1 band member left for Harvard and the other got kicked out of venue for being too wasted before taking the stage. Initially the band was hesitant to continue playing as a two-piece and thus, reinvented their sound. This December, Major Major Major will embark on their first tour from Texas to Alabama; after which, the band plans to record their sophomore EP.

FILTER: Who are your main influences?

MMM: Both Andrew and myself (Adrian) agree with most of our musical tastes with the exception of Bjork, who Andrew constantly makes fun of me for being obsessed with her. However, as far as our band is concerned, our main influences are Deerhunter along with some garagey stuff like Ty Segall, King Tuff, Thee Oh Sees and we also love glam such as David Bowie and Roxy Music. Andrew also claims to draw his drum parts heavily from Mastodon and Slayer although I’m not sure I believe him.

FILTER: How did you meet?

MMM: Andrew and I first met nearly two years ago through mutual friends at the University of Texas at Austin. I heard he played drums from a friend and I immediately called him up to schedule a practice. We immediately worked up a set and played our first shows during South By Southwest 2 months afterward. We recorded our first EP that May.

FILTER: What is your biggest achievement as a band to date?

MMM: We are extremely proud of our debut EP which has gained a lot of exposure in the Austin scene and has started to get exposure elsewhere. The songs mean a lot to us, and we were relatively new before recording the EP. The recording process really brought us together as a band and created an organized focus for the kind of music we aim to make. Also, we had a very small budget, which led us to use Kickstarter to raise money for the album. We also chose to put the album exclusively out 12” in order to give our fans something special especially since they were so generous in helping us fund the it.

FILTER: Where did the band name originate?

MMM: The idea for our band came from the character Maj. Major Major Major in the novel Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. Maj. Major Major Major is a comedic character in the book used to point out the absurdity and uselessness of authority. His Father named him Major Major Major as a joke, and ironically he later becomes a sergeant in the Army therefore acquiring the rank Major. Although we are fans of the book, we mainly are attracted to the way our band name looks and it’s reference doesn’t hold any relevance to our music.

FILTER: Favorite Bands?

MMM: Adrian: Deerhunter, David Bowie, Ty Segall, Wipers, Husker Du, Elvis Costello, Deerhoof, Tame Impala, Talking Heads and XTC
Andrew: Magnetic Fields, Mastodon, The Wave Pictures, Cake and Lightening bolt

FILTER: Plans to Tour?

MMM: We are going on a short tour through Texas, Louisiana and Alabama this coming week starting Dec. 14th. Andrew has to go to Huntsville AL to celebrate Christmas with his parents so we figured we’d plan a tour on our way to Huntsville and drop him off. The cities we are playing include, San Antonio, Houston, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Birmingham. A summer tour is definitely on our agenda as well.

FILTER: Plans for next release?

MMM: We are mostly in the stages of pre-production demoing varies songs. Our plan is to start recording a 3 song EP this coming January which we are really pumped about. This upcoming EP will take a more raw approach in comparison to our last EP but will maintain the pop sensibilities of our debut. - Sam at Filter Magazine

The experimental Austin based duo Major Major Major combine noisy art-rock with highly-melodic doo wop-inspired garage pop on their excellent self-titled debut EP that was released earlier this year as a free download on their Bandcamp page and is also available on a shiny slab of 12” vinyl for the super-cheap price of $5! The 5 song debut was recorded with Barrett Walton, who has also worked with Woven Bones and Yellow Fever, to name a few.
“We All Come From You” with its ambient washes of distortion and choir-like psych-pop vocal harmonies that reach for the rafters, opens the EP on the right foot. “Peace Love Darkness” stands out with a rollicking drumbeat and an exuberant sing-along chorus And the tropical rhythm, fuzzed out guitars and unhinged solo of the aptly-titled "In The Carribean" stands out as well.
- Atlas and the Anchor

Major Major Major’s self-titled EP begins bravely with a gorgeous ambient intro (sounds like a sound check for Broken Social Scene). About a minute and a half in, the rest of the band enters and the track turns into a 90’s influenced doo-op song. Adrian Sebastian’s vocals are quite perfect for the piece; soft spoken in one moment and then full of boyish charm in the next. Then, Peace Love Darkness picks the album up from its initial picturesque melancholy into a very energetic, almost modish sort of tone. The opening lyrical rhyme scheme falls a bit flat, but Sebastian makes up for it throughout the rest of the track. Peace Love Darkness is definitely garage pop, but pop done well.

In The Caribbean holds the same charm of the previous song while lowering the tempo slightly. The drums and bass saunter forward around the center guitar piece, which is placed well against the bridge and chorus of the track. The break down near the end is a fantastic moment of something completely different, however the guitar solo following the break down seems a bit forced in recording (though in a live setting it worked brilliantly). Wouldn’t Mind At All is my favorite track on the album. The vocal line is what keeps the audience hooked, with a lovely half step drop during the chorus it is matched only by the bass, which swings nicely through the 4/4 backdrop.

As a whole piece the EP flows perfectly from one song to the next. The synth touches, the backup vocals, and guitar tones throughout this EP are golden. It’s unfortunately rare when an EP or LP is an actual piece to be considered as a whole, as opposed to a collection of singles. Perhaps more groups, pop or not, should take their cues from Major Major Major’s heartbroken yet boyishly cheerful EP. - The Deli Magazine

Seeing as how we’re getting hit with the summer’s first serious heat waves, I figured it was the perfect time to hit you guys with some good summer music. While you sweat the day away on your porch (or stoop or what-have-you), kick back with a fruity beverage and some music to lift your spirits and keep your mind off the sweltering heat. What music to play, you ask? Well how about Major Major Major.

Major Major Major has the mellow and uplifting melodies, smooth rhythms, and relaxing basslines that you crave on a hot summer afternoon. With ska, punk, and rock and roll influences, these guys are your perfect summer jam. Major Major Major’s laid back, ambient, and uplifting sound will chill you out.

Major Major Major just released their self-titled debut EP. Check out the single “In the Caribbean” off that album, chill the lemonade, and cool off with Major Major Major.
- Seeds The Hype Tree Blog

Austin, Texas has been proving to be a great hotspot for garage and punk bands of late, and another impressive act to add to their roster is Major Major Major, who despite their name are a duo, and probably not majors, although we haven't checked. Anyway, their eponymous debut EP is out now and here's the brilliantly raw and bouncing 'Peace Love Darkness'. - Sound Of Confusion

Austin, Texas has been proving to be a great hotspot for garage and punk bands of late, and another impressive act to add to their roster is Major Major Major, who despite their name are a duo, and probably not majors, although we haven't checked. Anyway, their eponymous debut EP is out now and here's the brilliantly raw and bouncing 'Peace Love Darkness'. - Sound Of Confusion

Let's talk rock. And pop. Major Major Major lands squarely in the center of the these two genres, with tight stops and upbeat, energetic vocals and rhythms. They only have one song available online at the moment, but it is very good, and we are anxiously awaiting more recordings. In the meantime, I will be catching their show at Red 7 on August 27, and hopefully they will keep us informed of future gigs so we can continue to show our support. Have a listen: She's Not the Only One - Marshall Stokes

Up-and-coming Austin indie pop band Major Major Major are playing an early show tonight at La Zona Rosa in downtown Austin. They go on stage at 8pm, and if tonight's set is anywhere near as good as the one I witnessed at Austin Java a couple weeks ago then it's definitely worth checking out! - Marshall Stokes

Up-and-coming Austin indie pop band Major Major Major are playing an early show tonight at La Zona Rosa in downtown Austin. They go on stage at 8pm, and if tonight's set is anywhere near as good as the one I witnessed at Austin Java a couple weeks ago then it's definitely worth checking out! - Gretchen Elizabeth

Up-and-coming Austin indie pop band Major Major Major are playing an early show tonight at La Zona Rosa in downtown Austin. They go on stage at 8pm, and if tonight's set is anywhere near as good as the one I witnessed at Austin Java a couple weeks ago then it's definitely worth checking out! - Gretchen Elizabeth