Music
Press
Hey Seattle, there is a great local (ish… they’re actually from Port Orchard, WA) pop band in your midst and, in all likelihood, you are not even aware of their existence. Alligators (MySpace) will release Piggy & Cups via their own label, Applehouse Records, next month. They live up to most of the more contemporary elements of indie pop - the smooth guitar sounds, the modern percussion, you get the picture.
But one thing that sets them apart from contemporaries is the trio of vocalists including Kristian Arper (also on percussion), Tyler Lewis (bass), and Joshua Trembley (guitar). The vocals may be a bit higher-pitched than your standard indie pop group, but it quickly draws your attention, for example, when they add in a bit of emotive ferocity like they do just prior to the midpoint in “Original Fear�. Of course, most songs are simpler and less intense, but just as great.
In some ways the vocals can be likened to Mew, but where the European group adds in a fair share of glam and rock, Alligators are of course full-fledged indie-pop. Yet the guitar riffs and vocal hooks are no less powerful and equally as catchy.
Piggy & Cups can be purchased from the Alligators’ website. - fensepost.com
All the while, Alligators jam outside the box on their debut album ‘Piggy and Cups.’
With each new listen, this album seems to become more and more enigmatic.
Granted, it’s intriguing right from the title — “Piggy and Cups� — what does that even mean?
As the sonic nuances of “Piggy and Cups� subtly reveal themselves the mystery continues. Rather than offering any specific explanation or definition of the band, the album’s elements seem to add layers to the Alligators’ cloak — a very chameleon-like cloak for a band of Alligators, I must say.
From acoustic guitar with orchestral undertones to an a capella, hand-clapping, gospelish refrain to the band’s video-game-y, sometimes Pink Floydian electronics and Beatles-reminscent waterfall harmonies, there is definitely no shortage of diversity on this disc. But, somewhat surprisingly with the amount of variety withheld, there is a certain cohesive quality omnipresent on the album which is difficult to describe.
It sounds something like the sonic equivalent to whatever quality creates the cohesion of the atmosphere — which, I know, is a lame analogy, but — while you can’t exactly see or hear it directly, whatever it is, it’s ever-present, floating in the ambience of all 11 tracks on “Piggy and Cups.�
Somehow it’s technologic and organic, all at once.
And, lightly interwoven, it’s all punctuated by conversational poetry and lyric, creating a wide-range of emotion from start to end. From the euphoric to the philosophic, the melodramatic to the downright doom-ridden...
-Bill Mickelson
North Kitsap Herald Arts and Entertainment Reporter - North Kitsap Herald
Discography
Alligators debut album Piggy & Cups was released on Applehouse Records in 2009. You can stream several of the songs from the album @ www.myspace.com/alligatorpocketbook OR at @ www.wearealligators.com.
Photos
Bio
Calling themselves Alligators, these five charming gentlemen have already hit it big with their name. Alligators (the animals), are large reptiles that have a peculiar mystique surrounding their existence. Well, so do these guys. Where do they come from? When you think about Kitsap county and "the other side of puget sound," not much comes to mind but small towns and the naval shipyard. All the members, hailing from the greater Bremerton area, have had a long career in the local music scene and all played in some of the area's most widely known and accomplished bands like Time To Fly, Map of June, and Arper.
Talent is not in question; most of these guys have been professionally trained in music and they all convey their knowledge of songwriting in each piece they compose. With the apathetic and bland music that plagues radio stations and music venues today, it's only a matter of time before Alligators' brand of thought-out and innovative music breaks free to reach listeners everywhere.
They take influence from many of the greats and hints of Radiohead, the Beach Boys, and the Zombies can be heard in their songs. While they don't stick with one narrow style of music, their sound can be described as very creative, high-energy, precise pop laced with beautiful harmonies and clever arrangements. Each element of the band is interesting; from the tight pulses that the bass and drums provide, to the guitar-synthesizer relationship during the always-stylish vocal melodies.
Alligators have recently released a full-length album titled Piggy & Cups. It was recorded at Jason McGerr's (Death Cab For Cutie) Two Sticks Audio in Seattle and in the comfort of Alligators' own home. Drummer Kit Arper started up Applehouse Records to release Piggy & Cups in October of 2008.
With everything in place, the band plans to tour in the spring and summer as much as possible. In the meantime they'll be establishing themselves locally. Alligators will be pushing their album at shows, but it can also be purchased online at sites like iTunes, CDbaby, amazon, emusic, etc.
PRESS - - - - - -
Hey Seattle, there is a great local (ish� they�re actually from Port Orchard, WA) pop band in your midst and, in all likelihood, you are not even aware of their existence. Alligators (MySpace) will release Piggy & Cups via their own label, Applehouse Records, next month. They live up to most of the more contemporary elements of indie pop - the smooth guitar sounds, the modern percussion, you get the picture.
But one thing that sets them apart from contemporaries is the trio of vocalists including Kristian Arper (also on percussion), Tyler Lewis (bass), and Joshua Trembley (guitar). The vocals may be a bit higher-pitched than your standard indie pop group, but it quickly draws your attention, for example, when they add in a bit of emotive ferocity like they do just prior to the midpoint in �Original Fear�. Of course, most songs are simpler and less intense, but just as great.
In some ways the vocals can be likened to Mew, but where the European group adds in a fair share of glam and rock, Alligators are of course full-fledged indie-pop. Yet the guitar riffs and vocal hooks are no less powerful and equally as catchy.
Piggy & Cups can be purchased from the Alligators� website. -www.fensepost.com
========
I love bands from the Northwest! Most people would say these guys are from the boonies or sticks but I think some of the most amazing things reside in those places, and some of the best music as well. Washington's Alligators are our newest favorite. They've got a buncha good harmonies and some great pop in their sound. This is the type of fun music we like share with anyone. Be The Only One starts out so nice and is just sweet all the way through. I've been replaying it here in the office all day! Their new album, Piggy & Cups, officially drops in early April via Applehouse Records but you can get it now right here. Enjoy their single below and video to match! Also be on the lookout for a tour hopefully coming soon to a venue near you. www.bbqchickenrobot.com
Links
