- Scene Magazine, Livewire: Susanna Hoffs, Lincoln, Palindromes
- Scene Magazine, Regional Beat: For the Fun of It
- Scene Magazine, Regional Review: Electrolux 7" EP
Muy Muy Pop Yum Yum Reviews
- Scene Magazine
- Grrrrl Bombs
- Not Lame Records
- Twist & Shake
- Sarahhhh Anderson
- Vinyl Ink Records Online Catalog
Susanna Hoffs, Lincoln, Palindromes
Grog Shop - June 4...You couldn't have asked for a better choice of opening act. Hometown popsters, The Palindromes, were a real kick. The quartet is great in that they're not one of those image-first bands. You can even use the word "fun" in describing them.
You can use the word "perky" to describe frontperson Jennifer Kagler, She's a bundle of energy just up there having a blast, and that in turn makes here a blast to watch. The best of show from their set was "Big Crash" and "Happy & Oblivious."
Lee Barrish
For The Fun Of It
The Palindromes POP Back Into The Scene
Phil Dennison, Jennifer Kagler, The Pudman and Peter Scott (from left). Not pictured: Rob Johnston
"Any frat boys that come to our show and aren't enjoying themselves, be warned!"
-- Jennifer Kagler
by Lyndi Hutton
It's hard enough for four people to decide on one name for a band, Aaron Milenski of the Palindromes says. His band has only been together for two years and has already had to come up with two names. As Electrolux for the first year and a half, the band was issued a legal notice warning it to withdraw all uses of the name that belonged to the Electrolux vacuum cleaner company. So, after all the trials a new band goes through of agreeing on a name and getting it out to the public once it is chosen, "We had to start all over again," guitarist/vocalist Jennifer Kagler says of their slight dilemma. "Half of the people still don't know about Palindromes. They don't know what I'm talking about when I say he's Otto [Dennison] and I'm Anna." "They get it confused with oxymorons," Dennison adds. And Milenski refuses to go by any other name than The Pudman. The Palindromes label their musical style pop, although it has a different sound altogether -- maybe pop with a spritz of punk. "Anyone who likes a melody will like our music," Dennison explains. And as for seeing the Palindromes live and in person, Milenski says, "We take our music serious and on stage we have a very relaxed demeanor. We don't take ourselves too seriously." When SCENE met up with the Palindromes at their favorite coffee shop, it became clear this is a group of people who find joy in picking on each other and having a good time. "Any frat boys that come to our show and aren't enjoying themselves, be warned!" Kagler says in reference to an earlier experience when she had to set some boys straight. It may just be a natural reaction, since she is a teacher by day. When asked what type of people like their music and their show, Kagler replies, "Anyone who likes fun!" Kagler doesn't quantify how much fun she has on stage, but admits she's come a long way from her first gig, when she had to take a minute to regurgitate her lunch in the commode. She has since left her nerves behind and now only finds it to be exhilarating fun. "I wanna be a rock star!" she says with a huge smile. For now, she is happy just playing in the rock and roll city of Cleveland, though the band hopes to do some traveling in the near future. The Palindromes are expecting their first full CD, MUY MUY POP YUM YUM, soon. How soon? "The cover's ready. There's always something to delay it," Milenski says. "I'm not holding my breath for the next month or so." Actually, a month of breath-holding might be enough -- the band has established a release date of Friday, June 20, at the Euclid Tavern. At the time the Palindromes are in search for larger crowds and new places to play. They've sent their demos to college radio stations across the country. "We'll find whose playlists we're on and if we're within a close radius, then we'll play out there," Milenski says. So far, it's led to an opening stint for former Bangle Susanna Hoffs at the Grog Shop Wednesday, June 4. The show will serve as the debut for the band's newest addition, drummer Rob Johnston, who replaces the recently exited Peter Scott. "We want a chance to develop our skills live," Dennison says. To that extent, the band is enjoying playing for the sake of playing -- and continues to take part in open mic nights at various local bars. The bottom line is that the Palindromes are here to entertain and have a good time doing it. (Milenski has been known to wear Kagler's skirts on stage.) The Pudman says, "We're just waiting for an audience that gets the joke." Their chance may come in the near future.
Review of first single from SCENE Magazine:
Electrolux 7" EPThis four song EP is required listening to get through another Cleveland winter with the new classic "I Hate Summer." Even if you love summer, you will need this song to convince yourself otherwise when shoveling your way out of your driveway or in a three-car pile-up due to icy roads. It's not the only reason, though, because Electrolux offer pop savvy tunes full of freshly woven melodic innocence. The vocals are divided into three between Phil Dennison (bass), Jennifer Kagler (rhythm guitar) and Peter Scott (drums). At times harmonizing together, and at others circling around each other, the vocals bring bubblegum pop with just a tinge of punk to offset things. Also in the mix is Aaron Milenski, who leads the instrumentation with some tasty lead guitar hooks. Proving that behind all that sweet syrupy sound, Electrolux have a trace of venom is the finest track "Happy And Oblivious," which brings the "dumbing down" of our society to the forefront. Electrolux have finished recording 18 songs for a future release, and while that should certainly shoot your blood-sugar level way up, this EP will have enough of a fix for now.
Brian Manke
The Palindromes: Muy Muy Pop Yum Yum
Consider it a stroke of luck that the Palindromes were contacted by the legal team of the Electrolux vacuum cleaner company to "cease and desist" using the brand name as their own. The name Electrolux might imply that the band, well, sucked, and that's simply not the case with this engaging native quartet. Cross-pollenating driving, post-punk beats with seafoam-sporting, lo-fi pop and a frivolous, surf-styled edge, the quartet clearly has a bright future ahead of it. With four tongues firmly planted in cheek, the band takes great strides in making sure its brand of summer rock sizzles and smiles at the same time. Guitarist/vocalist Jennifer Kagler's charming vocal histrionics recall equal parts Miki Berenyi (Lush), Kim Shattuck (the Muffs) and Nina Persson (the Cardigans), while the rest of the band clearly fancy themselves as fans of Blondie and Link Wray. Yes, it sounds like it would be a scary combination, but MUY MUY's snapshots come off like Kodachromes taken on roller skaters from Muscle Beach. And that description in itself probably sounds strange, but consider songs like the sprightly "Someone To Talk To" and the Oliver Stone-inspired youth takeover anthem "Mrs. Nixon's Finished," and you quickly come to realize that Kagler and bandmates Phil Dennison (bass), Peter Scott (drums, now replaced by Rob Johnston) and Aaron "the Pudman" Milenski (guitars) are like Beck by making their musical obscurity and humor their trump cards. They didn't quite beat Public Display Of Infection at last summer's WMMS "New Rock Rumble" at Geauga Lake, but with a distorted perspective like the Palindromes have, winning would have fulfilled their new moniker's prophecy. It should be enough that the band's tunes sound great both backwards and forwards. Pete Chakerian
From "Grrrrl Bombs" #7:
The Palindromes Twee Kitten Muy Muy Pop Yum Yum cd, 14 songs
Hey! What's going on with all these palindromes? To be honest, at first I did not think I would like this at all. So I put it up for a while and a few weeks later I got it down again and gave it another chance. Say! This isn't bad! It's cute, in fact. And catchy. I like that they have alternating girl and boy vocals. Then it's a surprise! The best part is when that kid says, "I think it's a good possibility that we will hold a humyn sacrifice tonight." And the other kids say, "Yay! Hooray!" Tuff. And the songs aren't all loveydovey either. There's quite a bit of talk about consumerism and TV culture aaaand they are pro-animal rights! Superstar! (Available from Princess Emily, 2301 E. 2nd St. #16, Bloomington, IN 47401; or e-mail ekruse@indiana.edu .)
From Not Lame Records:
The Palindromes - Muy Muy Pop Yum Yum - This is on a label called Twee Kitten and that does describe the sound fairly accurately with lots of Twee and alternating male and female vocals that bring back memories of the early Slumberland/early 90s indie pop sound before it was infiltrated by hipsters!! Fronted by long time Not Lamer, Aaron Milenski, the Palindromes work out the jams with choppy, but finely sugared blurts of poppy energy with a DIY sound that evokes the spirit of not only the above but early Let's Active and Honeybunch! Also, one of the best CD titles of the year!! Muy twee and muy fun!
From "Twist & Shake", Vol. 8:
Emerging from the ashes of Electrolux, the Palindromes have finally settled on a stable line-up, affording them to continue playing and recording music that makes the whole world want to sing! This band easily tops my list as one of my fave new groups, and if you take my advice and listen to "Muy Muy Pop Yum Yum," I can bank on it they will be topping your list, too. Merging uplifting tempos with hilariously cynical lyrics, the Ohio band has a tune for anyone who has ever felt disillusioned, wrestled with unrequited love or is simply angry and jaded. In a nutshell, the Palindromes write songs we can all relate to! Bringing to mind the aggresive scowls of vintage punk rock, "Wedding Day" spits out the unbearable pain of watching an ex-girlfriend tie the knot, "Where Are They Now" contemplated the whereabouts of classmates "most likely to succeed not that high school is over and done with, "In My Town" vents frustration about living in a hell hole of a place where boredom and repression prevails, a self-righteous attitude stains the snotty "The World Is Wrong" and the spunky "I Saw Jill" recited the story of a life filled with rejection. Having clearly been fed a diet of Kinks, Big Star and Game Theory records, the Palindromes frost their material with ringing guitar riffs and herky-jerky rhythms, causing them to be ideal candidates for pop stardom. And that's the truth! ("Twist & Shake" is available by writing to Beverly Patterson, Twist and Shake Magazine, P.O. Box 6474, San Mateo, CA 94403; or email BPater1032@aol.com)
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