Neonderthal

I first saw LA quartet Neonderthal performing on a rooftop during Downtown's Art Walk. The tiny space and adjoining apartment were packed, and lead vocalist Steven Mathew’s Bowie-esque wails could be heard all along Spring Street. Unfortunately, not everyone was a fan, and the police showed up to shut the performance down after a mere three songs. Bummer.

Had they heard the group's new single "The Ride," they may have stuck around to join the party. The electro synth-pop track, which sounds like a lost 80s gem, is an homage to the simplest of creature comforts: wanting to be home. It arrives with a exceptionally rad music video shot in Downtown LA, Atwater Village, and the LA River.

The video stars a dude who could very well be Anthony Hopkins’ skinnier younger brother, whom, funny story, director Jeremy Eichenbaum met while in jury duty. The actor, Paul Raci, was translating the trial in American Sign Language, and he does the same with the song's lyrics in the video. It's the year-old band's first, but you can check out their other stuff, like their self-titled debut album—produced by the late Ikey Owens—via Soundcloud. Keep an ear out for more singles from these up-and-comers because they’ve got an EP in the works slated to drop early next year. Watch the video for Neonderthal's "The Ride" below and get the single on iTunes October 31. - Noisey (Vice)

Neonderthal is a new-wave pop band that is keeping the '80s alive, one jam at a time. Lead singer and guitarist Steve Mathews' bone-shaking, David Bowie-inspired wail of a voice sounds like it emerged from a time capsule sealed in the days of poufy hair and shoulder pads — albeit with a slight dark bent, along the lines of black leather and metal studs. Combined with drums, keys, electronics, and bass, the 2-year-old L.A. band, which dropped a self-titled debut last year and has an EP coming out next month, crafts melodic, eerie electro-pop ballads that are not to be slept on. Curious? Peep the quartet at their free outdoor show at Jessie Square across from Yerba Buena Gardens for Mac Cosmetics' new line Vibe Tribe (and follow them down to L.A. the next week to catch them at the Mac event in Hollywood). - SF Weekly

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a neanderthal is “one who suggests a caveman in appearance, mentality, or behavior; a person who has very old-fashioned ideas and who does not like change.” Then there’s Neonderthal, a four-piece ensemble of developed species from Long Beach that implement strains of ‘80s New Wave, disco, and rock in a most modern way. Their music hooks first with catchy rhythms and driving beats, then Steven Mathews’ unique vocal melodies, which is complemented by Tone Blair on bass, Anthony Bentancourt on keys and vocals, completed by Branden Murray’s mechanical beat on the drums. Mathews took a moment to give us at the Weekly the background of Neonderthal and details about their breakout year, and their upcoming show at The Wayfarer this Thursday. - OC Weekly