Kiss Me at the Gate

The Band: Kiss Me at the Gate
The Buzz: Spry, female-fronted indie band craft sugary, breakneck songs with big hooks.
Listen If: You can name the last three Juliana Hatfield records or often find yourself arguing that the second Belly album is underrated.
Key Track: "Come On," where pouty vocalist Claire Cormany begs "Come on, come on, the water's warm / And I don't want to swim alone" as guitars turn dizzying loop-de-loops behind her. - The Rolling Stone New Music Blog

Forgive me for my ignorance, but I had absolutely no idea there was a rock scene in Birmingham, Alabama. (Call it Northerner's Ignorance.) Female-fronted four-piece Kiss Me At The Gate put out their debut album this past October on Superphonic Records. It's an exciting blend of Eisley-esque atmospheric pop with an indie-punk edge reminiscent of the Rocking Horse Winner or Pohgoh. - Alternative Press Magazine Blog

...Seven local bands were performing, surrounded by peach-cheeked kids drinking soda and sitting respectfully in folding chairs before the stage. I couldn't help comparing the bands to other established performers: Kiss Me at the Gate was a cross between the Sundays and Juliana Hatfield...but overall, the groups were original, not derivative, and so earnest and pure. - The Washington Post

The music is poppy, upbeat, pleasantly alternative (as opposed to every other band today that labels themselves alternative). The vocals avoid the grating indie chick voice trap that so many women seem to present, and in fact helps focus the songs around some really strong lyrics. You may have caught them recently at Workplay or the Nick, or on Reg's Coffeehouse, and don't be surprised if these guys aren't the next to transcend the local band label in Birmingham. - Birmingham Weekly June 2006

Claire Cormany's sweet voice soars over an alt-rock backdrop with songs that seem to reach right inside your head and pluck out your feelings, crafting them into something more coherent and poetic. - The Birmingham News