RIP Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson 

1958-2009

The Walkmen

These four new yorkers know how to put together a tune, good vocals and lyrics. Strong inovative drummer. Very inventive new band. Listen to The Walkmen!

www.myspace.com/thewalkmen  

Pens Eye View 2009 (Interview and Press)

I

in listening to The Hugs talk about this insane business they’re in, you’d think they’d been making records for at least 10 years. These guys were signed by giant Columbia Records – a big friggin’ deal (especially at 17 and 18 years old) – but also a big friggin’ pressure cooker for instant commercial success. The band was quickly transported to London for recording… where the unfortunate happened. They sum it up simply: “We left Columbia Records because they tried to change us, and we weren't having that…We want to make music we love and songs that people can relate to and to play to big crowds!”

That takes balls – a lot of confidence in what you’re doing and where you’re going. And The Hugs have every reason to be confident – their sound is catchy, charming and in line with some of the best music ever made. And these guys are still just at the beginning of their careers – they’re still “kids!” They pull so much influence from the period of music that has affected them the most, the amazing time that went on between1965-69: “We dig the tape analog sound. We all like just good music by great bands. The Stones, Strokes, Tommy James and the Shondells, Beatles, Velvet Underground, Oasis, Libertines, Elliott Smith, The Vines, Pink Floyd.”

The guys are now working on their second record, as their first one prepares to drop later this month on June 23^rd. They talk about the self-titled collection; “lots of hooks and catchy verses with bright lyrics and lots of reverb. It's all-around good vibe.” Its music that’s very much like the classics made in the late 60’s – it’s made to perform live – perfect for singing along and having a kick-ass time. The boys will release both the self-titled album and another LP later this year before heading back over to London to hang out with a few new labels. We wish them the best of luck – but chances are they won’t need it. Keep reading along for the answers to the XXQ’s.

XXQ’s: The Hugs

PensEyeView.com (PEV): So give us the story – how did The Hugs come together?

Danny: The drummer Kelly and Me (Danny) met in 7th grade in middle school. We had many bands, and then we got older and went to high school and started the Hugs. Nicholas joined and so did Brendan, and practically overnight we formed. We have been together for 2 years now. But 6 if you count when me and the drummer met.

PEV: You’re from Oregon, right? But lived in the UK? Tell us how that was.

Danny: We lived in The UK for six months last year, and recorded and toured up north and such. We are now back in Portland, playing shows and about to release two records.

PEV: What kind of music where each of the members listening to growing up? What was the first concert you attended?

Danny: We all like just good music by great bands. The Stones, Strokes, Tommy James and the Shondells, Beatles, Velvet Underground, Oasis, Libertines, Elliott Smith, The Vines, Pink Floyd. First concert was Vines and Jet in 2003.

PEV: Tell us about your creative process… What kind of environment do you have to be in to make music?

Danny: I record demo's/songs on a four track and or my Macbook with a special USB microphone. I record in the bathroom and or a closet for good acoustics. I then play it for the band and sort of direct the band in my idea for the song once all the instruments are around me.

PEV: It’s clear you’re all a little crazy about 60’s music – while there are obvious reasons for this, what are some of the not so obvious?

Danny: Our parents rocked out to all of it when we were toddlers. We love the style of culture of London in 1965-69. We dig the tape analog sound.

PEV: Tell us about the records you've been working on.

Danny: We are actually recording our second album right now. Our first will be released on June 23rd, 2009. It's self titled and has 17 songs. It's got lots of hooks and catchy verses. With bright lyrics and lots of reverb. It's all around good vibe. The second LP is sounding much more mature and more catchier and full of surprises.

PEV: How would you describe the sound of The Hugs? What makes you guys stand out?

Danny: We have deep in-rooted melodies all over our songs. We are all musical trained since we were 14 years of age at our instruments. I sang in choir for three years in high school. We work a lot on detail and pay attention to the way we play with each other. We smile a lot to. And shake our head side to side.

PEV: Was there a certain point in your life when you knew that music was going to be a career for you?

Danny: When I opened up for Brighton's the kooks at the wonder ballroom in Portland last year. Before that we weren't so sure.

PEV: How pumped were you guys when you got signed as such a young band?

Danny: It was exciting but was a really big mind fuck. We all had a lot of pressure from the label to make hits and singles. We had our sound changed by a producer named Liam Watson, but beyond that it was fun playing with the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre and meeting all of our fans in Europe and living in London, England for half a year- It's a business... it's also got it's negative sides. I think we know what we want now more then when we were 17-18 and just been signed to Columbia Records. We want to make music we love and songs that people can relate to mostly.

PEV: Tell us about your first live performance as a band. How have you changed since that first show to where you are now?

Danny: Well, we did not sing very well at first, and I had a hard time throwing my guitar around and keeping my parts together. We have just gotten much tighter as whole. The bass is more locked in. Harmonies sound spot on.

PEV: Got any good stories from playing on the road? Have you been able to spend much time on the road?

Danny: We toured Europe and west coast of America a few times, not too many stories but one time we got pulled over by a cop in Southern California near Joshua Tree and they let us go. We then met up with Carl Barat of the libertines and drank some beers in Graham Parsons old hotel room. That was wicked. And we did some other things that cannot be mentioned here. 

PEV: Do you have a dream city that you’d like to play in?

Danny: Canary Islands, Melbourne, Cambodia, New York. Anywhere in Spain!

PEV: What can we find the each of you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?

Danny: I write a lot of stories and about personal experiences and Kelly our drummer does kung fu. And Nicholas goes golfing. I also play baseball

PEV: Is there one artist or group out there that would be your dream collaboration? Why?

Danny: Alison Goldfrapp. She is very attractive and can sing very swell for a girl. She is really pretty and can write and perform great dance music.

PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for? Other than The Hugs, of course.

Danny: Derby from Portland, Oregon. Those guys are really unique. And Starfucker.

PEV: Is the fact you’re huggable the only reason for the band name?

Danny: We named the band after our vision. We want to bring people closer together with our songs. It's not so cutesy as it sounds. It's actually worked. We have a lot of fans hugging each other at our shows. And it's just a fine name. We are THE HUGS!

PEV: What's one thing we'd be surprised to hear about The Hugs?

Danny: We left Columbia Records because they tried to change us, and we weren't having that.

PEV: What one word best describes The Hugs?

Danny: Fun

PEV: So, what is next for The Hugs?

Danny: We are releasing two albums this year and moving back to London to showcase for new record labels. We won't ever stop making albums and songs. 

For more information on The Hugs, check ou wwww.TheHugsPortland.com 

Listen To Gringo Star Ever?

Gringo Star is an amazing band who has toured and written and experienced all there is too. They are the only band I am still amazed that has not exploded and made it big and gotten a major deal. These dudes have played for a long time together. When I was in High School they went under the name "A Fir Ju Well. I like all there albums and songs. They all switch up instruments and play like mad men. It's good times with the gringo star. They just wrapped up another tour over seas in Europe and England. Watch out for Gringo Star, as they are coming in full storm. Listen to there music at:         Gringo Star!

www.MySpace.com/TheGringoStars

Danny Delegato

More Photo's From London! (2008)

Photo's By Dan Kendall in London

The Hugs Debut Album Coming Soon!

June 23rd, 2009 'The Hugs' will be un-leashed upon planet earth. We have many copies. The revolution is done and count down has begun! Look at them fine pieces of art. . .High Fives,

new website in the works...

www.TheHugsWorld.com

coming soon brothers and sisters

Kelly's Olympian

We play kelly's olympian tonight, it will be our last show in Portland, Oregon for some time. Come out and have a drink and listen. Hugs

Look at our new sonic Bids page:

www.SonicBids.com/TheHugs

Doug Fir Lounge Tomorrow Night

The Hugs play The Doug Fir Lounge tomorrow night W/ We're From Japan! 

Go to MySpace.com/WeAreFromJapan

to hear

Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm $8 advance, $8 day of show. Seeya then!

Hugs

London Documentary Video

New Cool Interview!

For More Videos Visit: Pirate Satellite TV | Portland, Oregon

Girl Goldfrapp

A Video From London

"Go Wild" + "The City" Live at Dirty Water Club London!

New Photo!

Photo By: Summer Benavides 

Photo's By Melanie Brown (2007)

Check her out at: www.MelaniBrown.com

We play The Know tomorrow night 1776 and Rex Arms and many other bands. Starts at 7pm! BEBE!There!

Danny

A Prophet

Funny Old Press On The Hugs

"The Hugs reminded me of a lot of things right off the bat. Danny Delegato (Vocals/Guitars) looked very similar to a young Ben Kweller with his floppy ears hat. In the sound department, The Hugs fall into the category of The View, and The Kooks. The difference is that The Hugs hail from Portland, Oregon instead of the United Kingdom. It was no surprise later that I find out that the band is heading off to England for a handful of shows in order to break out in the U.K. before coming back across the pond. One of the shows they will be playing with The View incidentally. It was interesting to see Danny thrash all over the stage and manage to pull his microphone stand apart."

"In stark contrast, Portland’s The Hugs tore through their set with reckless abandon; when frontman Danny Delegato broke a guitar string on the fourth or fifth song, the only surprise was that it took so long. Sporting underage “X” marks on their hands and looking like they just had their braces removed, the band played with the sloppy confidence of a much more experienced, drinking-age (and drinking) band. They literally wore their British Invasion influences in the form of Rolling Stones and The Who apparel; ironically, the John Entwistle-style bass parts came from Stones hoodie-wearing Brendan Welch. Delegato and fellow guitarist Nicholas LoCascio form a yin-yang duo, with Delegato’s flailing, yelping and feedback-shot guitar throttling contrasted by Welch’s more controlled approach. With charisma, talent, boyish good looks and a freshly-inked recording contract, these kids are on the verge of a jump in exposure."

The Hugs will play Dante’s in about 20 minutes, but at the moment they’re huddled together out front, standing on tippy-toes with craned necks to see around the club’s large, pierced and tattooed bouncer. Oregon’s stringent liquor laws keep the high-school-age Portland quartet from entering the club to watch openers the Foxtrots take cracks at a largely seated, not-quite-ready-to-rock crowd. The Hugs don’t seem to mind.

The OLCC might treat the Hugs like second-class citizens, but the band’s collective foot is already in the music industry’s metaphoric door (in England, at least). The band has garnered the attention of some pretty important U.K. music-biz movers and shakers, including James Endeacott—the A&R guy and 1965 Records founder who is credited with discovering the Strokes and the Libertines. Reportedly, he’s close to signing the Hugs.

But this isn’t England, this is Dante’s. Once they’ve been given the green light, the band hustles into the venue like a group of thirsty claim-jumpers, untangling cords and hollering impenetrable teen-speak. Each stylistically disparate member looks vaguely like daytime television’s idea of a rock-’n’-roll persona: the well-groomed twee kid, the smoking psychedelic kid, the Converse-clad “alternative” kid. Frontman Danny Delegato is the Guns N’ Roses-era caricature, his oversized sleeveless shirt and cowboy hat dwarfing his boyish frame. When asked to check his mic, he lets out a howl that dovetails into a squeal.

Despite the band members’ extreme marketability, the Hugs’ live set is hectic and loose, with songs losing structure and Delegato’s vocals disintegrating into Mark E. Smith rambles or Paul Westerberg screams (though I’d forgive him for not catching either reference). Drummer Kelly McKenzie absolutely kills—probably the most entertaining member of a very entertaining band—even if his thrashing can’t keep the rest of the band from wandering into the occasional rock-’n’-roll disaster. He tries repeatedly to end the band’s seemingly endless final song (which came complete with dangerous mic-stand-wielding and a Hendrix-style collapse or two) with little success.

The Hugs’ onstage theatrics prove the band has chops to match its natural talent (it’s hard to believe these are teenagers), but the members still show their age when it comes to songwriting. I leave the club without remembering any specific song—and hoping the Hugs’ development doesn’t suffer as the band rushes forth to become the next big thing.

CJ (WW)

Before they actually sign to London's 1965 Records (home of UK hypesters the View), local band the Hugs are self-releasing their own album tonight. The self-titled effort by these teenage Anglophiles shows a band wise beyond their years, and one keen on producing bouncy pop songs heavy on the hooks and melody. Spoiler alert! Here is the future of the Hugs, as told by me, the Miss Cleo of indierock fortunetellers. Their powerful British connections make them superstars overseas and darlings of the British press. Soon they develop a row with another band—oh, let's say Razorlight—and someone calls someone else a "bloody wanker." They play Glastonbury and the Carling Weekend, and the whole thing spirals out of control after a trip to Ibiza with Pete Doherty and Liam Gallagher. Enjoy it while you can, boys. EAC

Fresh out of high school, The Hugs commanded the attention of two of the biggest and most respected names in the British music industry. Roger Sargent and James Endeacott flew out to Portland from London just to witness the garage/pop-rock band, returning home poised to sign and manage the group of teens.

Now living in London, The Hugs have signed a deal with 1965 Records and Columbia UK. Their debut album is being recorded with Liam Watson (who recorded White Stripes’ “Elephant”) and the band is working with Gus Van Sant for their first music video.

The Hugs is a fitting name for this ambitious group of starry-eyed, still-wet-behind-the-ears Portland teenagers. 

Only months removed from their high school graduation, the Hugs apparently caught the attention of prominent British rock photographer Roger Sargent in 2006, after band frontman, err frontkid Danny Delegato pursued him on Myspace. Delgato's persistence paid off and the band will spend this spring recording in London, under the supervision of their label, UK-based 1965 Records. 

The Hugs produce a young yet confident British invasion sound reminiscent of the Kinks, the Stones and contemporaries Arctic Monkeys and the Libertines. Virtually leap-frogging Portland's indie rock rat race, these kids are rumored to be talking with state-side major label Sony/Columbia. Not bad, huh? 

The Hugs are the band that you wish you were in during high school. Or college. Or right now for that matter. Visceral and earnest, their songs are further along than their playing, and that's a good thing. Everything from the Velvet Underground to the Kinks to early Pavement is here, all being written by chaps young enough to yet worry about declaring a major. Unless, of course, it's declaring which major label they want to sign to, in which case the lucky winner is London-based 1965 records. Not quite a household name yet, the label is the lovechild of James Endeacott, formerly of Rough Trade records, who had the foresight to sign another young and eager band called the Strokes a few years back. Can the Hugs embrace their future as garage rock's next big thing? I, for one, sure do hope so. AY

Follow The Hugs on TWITTER

www.Twitter.com/thehugsportland

I like Sweden & Klickitat Band Camp A Lot!

This band is from Stockholm Sweden and they are really somethin'...Listen to "This Heart Is A Stone" and if you have good taste your eye brows will rise. Sweeeeet? We are slowly but surely finishing our second LP at Klickitat Band Camp. Go to www.KBCrecords.com for info on how to be the coolest musician in the world and hear some great songs by great bands. Go Shay Scott! 

www.MySpace.com/AcidHouseKings

Danny Delegato

weird record company people who don't do their job right

Hockey

The Hugs relate to these guys, check them out. A new band from Portland, Oregon with lots of funk and soul. Great lyrics, and very hooky. Go Hockey!

Danny

Top to the tops

If you're like Letterman and I, you like great top ten lists. Well here's a great site that has amazingly fascinating top 10's, 20's, 25's, whichever. It's called listverse.com and speaking for myself, it's responsible for many sleepless nights. It's updated everyday and there's a list in every category one can think of. Now I know "Oh a site with a bunch of lists, sounds boring." can be an easy thought process, so here's a little list of some lists...

10 bizare cases of mass hysteria

10 most evil children

10 memorable talk show appearances 

10 amazing movie endings

10 cheeses you should try

10 most over rated books

30 failed technology predictions

15  1980's tunes for the mornings

10 mysterious people

Here's a picture of a couple mysterious people..

Their story, at Listverse.com

These lists were just a few of, maybe hundreds! I don't know I haven't counted. It's a great site though and you can learn so much, so check it out.

-Nic

Elling

Hello Movie Fans,
I recently watched and enjoyed the movie titled Elling. It takes place in Sweden of all places and is about two men who move into together who have a bit of trouble in life. They can't get out of the house! The movie is a very captivating film full of surprises and a great ending and a good musical sound track. Elling is a movie that is unpretentious, charming, quirky, original, and largely making its points indirectly. It's the kind of film that creeps up on you and leaves you smiling, the kind of film that keeps spinning around in your head days after it was seen, its insights bubbling up like fresh spring water. Check it out!

Danny Dee

The Joy Of Living

I have been reading this book lately and it's proved to be pretty good. It connects science and the mind with some rich text on thoughts, personal well being, the mind in general and how it operates. It's a great book because A.) It explains a lot about meditation  B.) it is beautifully written C.) it has lots of advice and information on how the human mind functions. I suggest if your looking for a book to truly escape in this could be your match. 

We play tomorrow night in Portland  at Berbati's Pan with cool bands! Cool?

DANNY DELEGATO

My Favorite Drummers (Kelly Mckenzie The Hugs)

I've always been asked who my favorite drummer was and I've never answered with a single person. I think For every genre there is a drummer that I like the most. I happen to think that most music is incomparable to "quality" due to everything being SO different. Anywho, these are some:

Jazz:

Art Blakey-He's really good at keeping things traditional...sort of. He was involved with some pretty major jazz players at the time where reform was the thing. He kept his toms all floppy(technical term) and was really hit really hard. Check out the album "Night at The Birdland". . .

 

 

Elvin Jones-Elvin played mostly with John Coltrane but, as with most jazz musicians that stayed arounds, he had his own band. He's all over the place. Literally! He'll play in really wierd time signatures. I you know what I'm talking about, a 3/4 beat is really hard to switch up and still keep a groove that seems "catchy" but he finds a way some how. He does things that you would never have thought to do and it's really inspiring to listen to. I don't really know the best album to check out but he's really famous so don't worry, you'll find him.

Rock:

John Bonham-Well, he was who I usually refer to when asked who my favorite drummer is. Me, being like everyone in middle school at that time, was really into Led Zeppelin. I got the "How The West Was Won" DVD and watch his 13 minute drum solo over and over. I was taking lessons and I told my teach that it was going to get a lot easier for him cause I really just wanted to sound like him. He's really smart musically to make sure that he's as much the main event as the rest of the band (not an easy task) but keep time like a pop drummer would. Everyone says,"You NEED to heard Moby Dick", which is his shining moment but "When the Levee Breaks" is my favorite song.

 

Ringo- OK, so not everyone gets Ringo. Sure he could be looked at as a simpleton surrounded by musical genius' but I think that's why I like him. he was very involved with the recording process (or so I read) and I think he was a smart guy. There are songs that you listen to and you can hear that he lets loose and plays a little more out there. He thought of the drums as another instrument instead of an accompaniment to music. I'm pretty sure you've heard all that there is but She Said, She Said is a really good song for drums.

Jason Shwartsman- Not a lot of people know that he was in Phantom Planet, the band that sang "California" for the OC theme. I think that band gets a bad rep because of that. 

 

They have really good pop songs that are really driving and cool in a way that they don't sound like a really big band...although they were. Plus Jason is really F-ing good. I was also surprised to hear that he wrote California and many other songs for the band. Again, really smart about playing to the music and poking out when appropriate. Listen to the song "By The Bed", "Making A Killing" or "The Happy Ending".

Hope you check em' out. Bub Bye

Kelly-

Listen to The Hugs entire Debut Album on Virb

You can preview 'The Hugs' entire debut album here:

www.Virb.com/TheHugsGoWild

Enjoy,

Danny

Gringo Star

 

Earth Day Success!

Though the drive to Molalla was hell due to being stuck in "Tulip Fest" traffic, with no air conditioning, in the beaming sun... It was worth the wait and pain. The students at Molalla High were great fun to talk to and they did a great job providing a whole days worth of fun, as well as providing environmental awareness. I took home 3 trees myself tonight! Add that to the, I think it was something like 22,ooo new trees were planted in Portland today? Take that Seattle!! Anyway, the band and I can't thank all of those involved enough. Thanks!  - Nic/The Hugs

"The human race is challenged more than ever before to demonstrate our mastery - not over nature, but of ourselves."  -Rachel Carson

The Hugs are releasing TWO ALBUMS!

Hello Fans/Friends/People/Huglets 

We all know it's been a long time coming but The Hugs are surely now announcing the track listings for TWO ALBUMS worth of Hugs songs. These are songs we recorded with Shay Scott @ Klickitat Band Camp. To Preview these songs you can go to www.Virb.com/TheHugsGoWild + www.MySpace.com/Danny Delegato + www.MySpace.com/TheHugsGoWild

The self titled Debut Album out June 23rd, 2009 exclusively via web and at shows, track listing below!

1.) Palm Trees

2.) North

3.) Say Wait

4.) Those Girls 

5.) What We Are

6.) Shoe Swappin'

7.) Wonderful You

8.) Idyllic Gardens

9.) Do As I Do

10.) To Glenburnie

11.) Hawthorne High

12.) All Smiles

13.) Dinosaurs Weren't Real

14.) Feel Noise

15.) Your Orbit

16.) You Gotta Shake, Shake, Shake

17.) Focus The Future

The Hugs 2nd LP titled "Go Wild" out in Fall 2009!

1.) She Was High

2.) Go Wild

3.) Never Gonna Live, Never Gonna Die

4.) Keep It

5.) Frozen Frogs

6.) Damn Toes

7.) Yesterday

8.) Midnight Dream

9.) In Love

10.) The Years Have Shown

11.) Florida Girl

12.) Come Close

13.) Ego's

14.) Dreams

GREENSTOCK (TOMORROW!)