Austin James Band

60s drug rock mixed with modern indie stylings. I only hope that somewhere in this world they can find success. - Chad Mitchell

The Los Angeles based Austin James Band has a little Man Man in them, but cross that sound with eclectic, quirky 60's style psychedelia and five-part harmonies. It's makes me think of what it would be like if Man Man were trying to write Beach Boys-like love songs. It's pretty sweet! They are generating some buzz in L.A., but it seems no bloggers (that I can find) have picked up on them. Check these guys out... - Dodge (MOKB)

This San Diego band is about as far under the radar as it gets, but definitely are poised to make some noise. It really reminds me of Jellyfish (one of my all-time faves), complete with queen/beach boy-esque harmonies, bouncing bass lines, and even traipsing into Flaming Lips-ish territory near the end - LTL

THE AUSTIN JAMES BAND has a cowboy and an "Injun," but they sound much more like SMiLE-era Beach Boys than the Village People. - kbade

Austin James Band, a sort of folky-rock outfit that really reminded me of Queen with its swoon-worthy harmonies - Kristal Seeden

The band is semi-local with band members split, living in Orange County (Long Beach) and here in San Diego. They used to play around a year or so ago, but took a "break" to play as the back up band for Godspell, a 1970's off broadway musical. Interesting... Pyles also described them as poppy, yet hard to describe. He explained that they are definitely worth a listen to form my own opinion of their style. And that I did.

The first thing I thought of as they started playing was a carnival, very whimsical. It made me happy inside... I was also excited to enjoy a band that I had no real preconceived notion about. Roger was very excited over the gadgetry on stage. The band used various added percussion toys such as whistles, wooden blocks, crashing cymbals and a crank. Of the two keyboards on stage, one was set to play lie a xylophone. With all of the bells and whistles (literally), it was already easy to be in awe of this foursome.

The lyrics and melodies made me think I was sitting down listening to a children's story. But there is more... the harmonies, vocal layering, technical skills on their individual instruments and song composition made me think I was listening to something out of the Beatles, Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band or The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds. It is hard for me to put this band up on a pedestal along side the greatest composed albums of all time, but I really think it must be done mainly because there really is nothing else to compare it to. - Sarah

The Austin James Band played after Swim Party and had these killer harmonies. And not just a couple of them, but the entire band including the drummer would join in. Their second song was a cover of Jumpin Jack Flash and in between their mostly originals, they'd throw in another cover that were singalong worthy. They have the look of a hippie jam band, but I loved their soaring harmonies and am glad I stuck around. I also liked how, much like Swedish Models, the band moved around a lot, switching up instruments between one another. I didn't ever find out if one of them is actually Austin James, but it didn't really matter. - Rosey

New Music For The Mundays: Austin James Band

When "Who's On First" meets Indie Rock: Austin James Band

It has been far too long since I've done weekly features on this site. Most notably missing is Rock Insider's "New Music for the Mundays" feature. Thanks to my handy google calendar I'M BRINGING 'EM BACK!!!!

My choice for this Munday: SoCal's own Vaudevillian quartet (+ 1 ) the Austin James Band. This eclectic group of rapscallions reminds me very much of Man Man with hints of The Beach Boys and Queen.

Their debut album, Goes To Austin James Land, is deliciously absurd. Five part harmonies are masterfully mixed with key arrangements straight out of a community melodrama. This collection of songs has the range of a Broadway review. Each track portrays its own unique emotion and tells a story. What I love most about this band is the fact that they have taken your traditional indie rock and made it a production. This satirical view on music is incredibly endearing and send out more than a fair share of feel good vibes.

Goood 'ole Dodgy wrote about this band ages ago [read the post here] . I'm a little ashamed the LA community has been so slow to pick up on this. It always seems like the best new music is hovering just under your nose. I've definitely had east side blinders on for the past few months - long enough to completely overlook this amazing band.

Los Angelenos can catch the Austin James Band at Rock Insider's next installment of Indie Schmindie! August 9th at the Scene Bar in Glendale with Strangers Smile, Divisadero, and Meho Plaza. Admission is only $5!

You can listen to more tracks on the band's Virb Page.

- Jax

These guys feature an eclectic, quirky 60’s style psychedelia and five-part harmonies-think Beach Boys harmonies meets Gershwin and you might get sorta close to their unusual quirky sound. They Rock some killer harmonies, not just a couple of them, the entire band including the drummer joins in! - AJB

Members of the Austin James Band demonstrated their musical versatility by switching instruments and positions on the stage while chorusing that they had a "really good time." - Sharon Yi