Comic Book Heroes

This is the sixth year that David Bash's International Pop Overthrow festival has played in New York. Basically its a series of club concerts, usually about a dozen, each featuring 6 to 8 power pop bands, and chances are you've never heard of any of them. In past years I've discovered currents faves like Jim Boggia, Parallax Project, Andy Mac and Marianne Pillsbury at IPO, and seen killer sets by the likes of the Spongetones, Kennedys, and Flashcubes.

This year I was disappointed when the line-up came out, because there were maybe a handful of bands I knew (including Tan Sleeve, who I know in person.) But as always happens at IPO, I stumbled onto a band that is going to be great.

Before I tell you about them, give a listen: "Hit the Road Jack," the Ray Charles song, covered by Comic Book Heroes. Its a punkish interpretation of the song; they've managed to totally deconstruct it, make it something new-- and yet that new thing still contains something of the core DNA of the original.

Honestly, they were hellfire rockin' live; tight and cool and fun and totally spot ON. I found this recording, which I bought at the show, to be a little tame by comparison (if you can imagine); maybe when they get into the studio for a full length proper debut, they'll be able to better capture that live energy. Or maybe you just have to be there. The guitar player, Sam Sodomsky, is a natural; in some songs he peeled off vintage surf guitar, in the "Not Fade Away" encore, he mined the roots of pure rock'n'roll. They play everything they need to play, and not a note more.

Oh-- and did I mention that these kids are 14 years old?

Check out their MySpace page. Its worth it just for the picture. Their influences include (and this comes right off that MySpace page) the Stones, the Who, Led Zep, U2, the Dead, the Beatles, the Smiths, Cheap Trick, Nirvana, and the Kinks. And they're FOURTEEN!

Now, to be fair, you should know that the drummer's dad is in Foghat. But still... rock'n'roll is way less about technical precision than it is about the feel. It is easy to play rock'n'roll, but a lot more difficult than people think to actually play it well, because you can't learn the feel. When its played well, it seems effortless. These kids feel it, and they can play. And I think they're gonna be famous.

I sure hope they like girls, cuz if they don't, that's going to be a problem. You can already tell by the comments left on the MySpace page, the girls will be around.
____________

Addendum: a snippet of "Hit the Road Jack," live. Lo-fi, but you'll get a sense of the excitement. Tell me that Sam kid on guitar isn't just Jeff Beck cool. (You'll need Windoze Media Player.)
-Josh Chasin/NYC


- International Pop Overthrow Festival, NYC

In this day and age, a rock band that is made up of 16 year olds is not too hard to find. However, the trick is to find one that has everything together and puts out great, new music. Look no further than Comic Book Heroes for the next solid, young band. The band consists of 4 friends that have been playing together since they were 11 and have rock music in their blood via a drummer who is the son of Craig MacGregor, bassist for Foghat who our readers will most remember from their song "Slow Ride." Though they have that rock bloodline in their group, these youngsters have put a new spin on the classic rock sound that influenced them in that they easily can fit amongst today's Warped Tour scene as well as with classic rockers. You don't have to jump too far into the EP to see this either. They kick right in with an incredible guitar riff on "Catch Me If You Can," and will quickly catch your attention with their simple riffs that are suitable for mainstream, alternative radio, but it is the vocals that seal the deal for these guys. Solid, rock music is one thing for a young group to achieve, but the vocals usually leave something to be desired. Not here. Ned Goldman provides a very mature approach to his vocals that perfectly deliver the lyrics that capture their youth while walking a line that will allow the young 20's crowd to be attracted to them as well. This is without a doubt the band to watch in 2008 and if this EP is only the beginning of things to come, then I suspect they will be a major player amongst the mainstream scene in no time for years to come. - Guest List Magazine -9/12/08

Music lovers are relishing the true rock-and-roll flavor of Comic Book Heroes (CBH), and the Disney peeps are right behind them ready to pounce.

A young band comprised of four 16-years-old guys who write and play their own music is pretty much like a Micky Mouse Club executives' wet dream. But, when becoming a "boy band" there were a few small details that CBH decided to overlook. Not only are they a little less pop and a little more rock, but they have a sense of confidence and originality that has since been missing from the recent pop stars plastered on the walls of tweens everywhere.

The band's four members, Ned, Collin, Koz and Steve have been building an impressive fanbase both stateside and internationally, including many loyal European fans. With influences by everyone from Nirvana to Bjork, CBH seem to be introducing a clear perspective of rock in the otherwise thick cloud of over commercialism. Now, they are competing to win Disney's Next Big Thing (vote here), and it looks like they may just get a record deal out of it.

One member was classically trained from an early age, another's pop is part of the legendary rock-and-roll band Foghat, and all the boys have been playing music for more than eight years -- sounds like a Jack Black movie, right? Well, enough of me yammering on, take a listen (as well as a free download) of the boys song, "Catch Me If You Can."
Y Post - 4/20/09


Music lovers are relishing the true rock-and-roll flavor of Comic Book Heroes (CBH), and the Disney peeps are right behind them ready to pounce.

A young band comprised of four 16-years-old guys who write and play their own music is pretty much like a Micky Mouse Club executives' wet dream. But, when becoming a "boy band" there were a few small details that CBH decided to overlook. Not only are they a little less pop and a little more rock, but they have a sense of confidence and originality that has since been missing from the recent pop stars plastered on the walls of tweens everywhere.

The band's four members, Ned, Collin, Koz and Steve have been building an impressive fanbase both stateside and internationally, including many loyal European fans. With influences by everyone from Nirvana to Bjork, CBH seem to be introducing a clear perspective of rock in the otherwise thick cloud of over commercialism. Now, they are competing to win Disney's Next Big Thing (vote here), and it looks like they may just get a record deal out of it.

One member was classically trained from an early age, another's pop is part of the legendary rock-and-roll band Foghat, and all the boys have been playing music for more than eight years -- sounds like a Jack Black movie, right? Well, enough of me yammering on, take a listen (as well as a free download) of the boys song, "Catch Me If You Can."

http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/archives/2009/04/jonas_brothers_comic_book.html#more - NY Post (PopWrap) 4/20/09

http://www.gibson.com/allaccessv2/erblogs/Beverly%20Hills/ - Gibson Guitars - BH Showroom Blog

March 25, 2008- “CBH totally stole the week, most everyone I spoke with agreed, including a few members of OTHER bands! I thought that was telling. They are obviously a special group with a very promising NOW and future.

CBH to me just seemed as if they are doing what they're meant to be doing. So comfortable and together; a quiet confidence. “
- Lawrence – Co-founder MusicGorilla.com

September 22, 2008 by Mark

If you are to believe the mainstream media, and certainly if you are a fan of American Idol and the like it would be understandable if you had a certain image of today’s “kids” and what kind of music they are into and that is perfectly understandable. You are probably somebody who is not altogether “with it” according to all these iPod happy, Facebook dwelling tweens and teens especially when it comes to todays consumable 99cent Happy Meal songs that seem to be so prevalent. But you would be mistaken to think that everybody under the age of say 18 is like this.

As a perfect example of what I am talking about, check out this week’s Band of the Week Comic Book Heroes. Ned Goldman, lead vocals, guitar; Steve “Koz” Kosciusko, lead guitar, vocals: Collin MacGregor, drums; Steve Kowalski, bass, vocals are all of 16 years old but get this, they started playing at 11 years old! I mean WTF! And if you think they are some kind of boy band have a listen to the free download at the end of this post or have a listen to their stuff on their MySpace page or just go out and buy their EP Take a Seat as these guys rock!

Their sound combines elements of classic rock (understandable since Collin MacGregor’s dad is the bassist of Foghat) with thoroughly modern tastes and textures which really goes to prove that age is merely a state of mind since these guys really pump out rock and roll that is more authentic and engaging than people 5-10 years their senior. The EP was recorded, produced and mixed by Jimmy Landry for AudioStrike and the production values are crisp and clean and all in all a real treat to play loud out of some proper kick ass stereo speakers or studio monitors. And live their youthful enthusiasm is testament to the fact that they don’t just like to rock and roll but they live and breathe it. If you want a band that walks the talk, these guys are it.

An amazing debut from a bunch of kids that “get it” and I can only imagine what they have up their sleeves for their first full-length. The fact that they decided to concentrate on 5 quality songs to put out on an EP and not just play by the numbers to fill out a full-length album shows these guys are wise beyond their years. A great CD and an affirmation that with bands like this the future of rock and roll looks bright indeed.

Comic Book Heroes will be performing at CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival on Oct.21. They will also be CMJ panelists on a panel about Performing Rights Organizations on Tuesday, Oct 21st at 3:30 PM. Check their myspace for details this week.
- The Rock and Roll Report

LA’s Comic Book Heroes did their growing up in public. The band formed back in 2004 when the guys were 11. At the ripe old age of 16, they’re released their first EP, and this debut is a smart mix of rock and alternative music, with deep punky roots. Melodies (a few border on power pop), and substantial lyrics drift around the edge of obnoxiousness without entirely giving in o it. In other words they friggin’ rock! “Catch Me if You Can,” “Here and Now,” and especially “Move Out of the Way” with it’s trippy, hard, psychedelic vibe, are mini, rock opera masterpieces. They not only tell the story , they draw you into in minute details, and rockin’ cadences. The interplay between Ned Goldman on lead vocals (deep, passionate and extraordinary), and guitar, Steve Kosiusko on lead guitar and vocals, Collin MacGregor on drums, and Steve Kowalski on bass and vocals, create agile bass lines, near-perfect guitar riffs, and die-hard vocals, propelled by a steady, propulsive backbeat. Hyperactive California pop punk the way it should be! - Phil Rainone
www.jerseybeat.com - Jersey Beat - Oct. 7, 2008

http://justjaredjr.buzznet.com/2009/01/12/introducing-comic-book-heroes/#comment-7978741 - Just Jared Jr. - Jan.12, 2009

Comic Book Heroes/Kenny’s Castaways/October 21st


After a full day of interviewing PROs on CMJ’s panel, Comic Book Heroes hit the stage of Kenny’s intimate, Halloween-decorated club. When hearing them play, it’s hard to remember that they’re just 16. Ned Goldman’s voice had a hint of a classic rock growl and drummer Collin MacGregor thrashed about, his unkempt hair flying as he pounded his sprawling drum kit. Dirty, heavy guitar riffs dominate their sound and a Nirvana obsession might not be too far in their past. Though young, Comic Book Heroes has an extraordinary ease on stage. Ned comfortably talked to the foot-tapping crowd and joked that they might have a couple of CDs with them if someone wanted to buy one. At the end their set they announced their PRO pick: SESAC, the privately owned smaller company. It’s easy to see that these kids have talent. Now equipped with a PRO they’ll be hunting for a label. This is surely not the last we’ve heard of them.
- Christine Broomhead

www.cmj.com/relay/

- CMJ Relay/Staff Blog - Oct. 22,2008

"Goldman's voice really takes the listener by surprise, as well. If one were to listen to Take a Seat and not look at the album sleeve at the band's youthful, pinchable faces, you would think the band was composed of men in their late 20s. The musical cohesiveness and vocal arrangements that just screams solid rock n' roll shows that these boys have been performing together for years and have an unshakable idea of how they want to sound. " - Absolute Punk - 2/19/09