Music
Press
Only Thieves pla jangly-pop rock with enthusiasm and catchy hooks. Greetings from Levy Park,T.L.H., is 15 minutes of well-written tunes with distorted guitars and heartfelt lyrics. This self-released EP shows only a small glimpse of good things this band can do. A full length better be coming in the future." - Swimmer's Ear
They blend a punk rock aesthetic with an amalgam of indie rock and 90’s pop rock sound. They’re too heavy and loud to be The Pixies, and too poppy to be Jawbreaker. They’re somewhere in the expanse of awesome in between. - The Orlando Sentinel
"Impressive... Infectious... A decidedly original approach to their brand of power pop." - Punknews.org
"Snotty and off-the-cuff, and there's just something about the tight songwriting and hook-filled chorus that recalls a late night watching 120 Minutes... Tight punk rock that races to the finish with youthful energy and sweaty conviction." - 30music.com - 30music.com
"There's an element of bombast all too familiar to Springsteen fans that gives this an ebullient edge that helps it to transcend the shackles of what is otherwise a rather stagnant and often lacklustre genre." - Die, Shellsuit Die! - Die, Shellsuit Die! UK
"It blooming ROCKS... great vocals and nice loud guitar. Five tracks which all average out at about the perfect 3 minute mark and it's all over way too soon. Killer!" - Suspect Device UK - Suspect Device UK
"Power pop hooks, frantic guitars and pounding drums... gritty, dirty rock n roll, these guys do a great job of fuzzing out the guitars and putting the riffs in all the right places... This EP is sure to bring them more attention wherever it's heard." - Go211.com - Go211.com
"fresh and energetic... a series of great indie rock hooks... the driving bar-rock-meets-punk tempo and feel of this tasty little record would quickly rouse a crowd to its feet." - DryveTyme Onlyne - DryveTyme Onlyne
"If there is any justice in the world, it is music like this that will make indie rock fun again." - Can You See the Sunset - Can You See the Sunset from the Southside
From the first few notes of the band’s debut EP, Florida’s Only Thieves’ influences are worn on their sleeves. “Hammered for the Holidays” is one of the catchiest songs of the year with a pounding rhythm section and vocalist Jeremy Barnes’ voice coming across clear and controlled. The music sounds like ‘90s alt-rock of Superdrag mixed with the vocals of Rocket from the Crypt, which is a very good combination to hear nowadays.
All of their influences seem to be from the past, even down to the packaging, which playfully rips off Bruce Springsteen’s Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ. Though the rest of the EP tries to reach the apex of “Hammered for the Holidays,” it fails, but it’s not awful, it just doesn’t seem as good. The driving punk of “Watertower Scars” sounds like the singer of Hot Hot Heat fronting a punk band and it works because it’s such a different sound.
The instrumental intro of “Ghosts in Your Room” sounds like something not heard since Hum’s last album in 1998, driving rock with a nice dash of melody thrown in to spice up the mix. This band is out to change a few things in the music scene and this EP is an excellent way to kick it all off. Bringing everything complete to the 21st century, “Does This Bus Stop at 8th Avenue” sounds a bit like the Silversun Pickups musically while vocally sounds like Only Thieves.
This is an excellent introduction for a band that seems more than capable of establishing their own musical identity without relying too much on old influences. By the time their full-length comes out, they ought to be able to deliver a hell of a record based entirely on their strengths heard here. Until then, we’ll be able to hear where it all began - Punkbands.com
Discography
"For Fifty-Eight Beers" Demo - Random Note Recordings (2008)
"Greeting from Levy Park, T.L.H." - E.P. (2009)
We've been interviewed on the local college rock station and our E.P. and demo are in rotation.
Photos
Bio
"It's easy to pass on so much music these days. What with the barrage of bands constantly being thrown in our faces from various social networking sites, slowly fading fanzines, and blogs. Tastemakers are constantly scrounging for the "next big thing" that can be swallowed and discarded. Where do we turn in such tough times? How can we cut the meat with so much fat? Sharper knives brandished by thieves indeed. ONLY THIEVES wield such weapons. And their debut extended play album "GREETINGS FROM LEVY PARK, T.L.H." is indicative of that. It moves you. It makes you want to move.
It's a warm hello followed by a haymaker, and the last thing you see is the bright lights of the arena ceiling as you hit the mat. The cover is a classic, and instantly recognizable tribute, and the content inside is just as ready to hold its end of the deal. Start with the rollicking "Hammered for the Holidays." A jangle-pop gem that blasts open with the force of a lighter fluid and whiskey cocktail. Followed quickly by the forceful shuffle of "I Got Left Behind" with it's instantly catchy hooks and surreal lyrics. All builds into the atom bomb that is "Watertower Scars." Giant fuzzed out powerchords, heartfelt lyrics, a booming and dynamic rhythm section, and a soaring solo combine to make this a power pop masterpiece on steroids. "Ghosts in Your Room" keeps the pace and shows the depth in songwriting these young men have lyrically and musically. The cherry bomb on top of the sundae that is "GREETINGS" is "Does this Bus Stop at 8th Avenue?" An amazing apocalyptic ode to lost love, redemption, and reunion. With a riff that would make the Boss himself smile, and a finish that will tear at your insides until you've got no choice but to give yourself up to the force that is ONLY THIEVES.
Who knows what the future holds for these young contenders. Everyone wants to be the champ, but few have the fists to do it. These bucks know how to box and are frothing at the bit to have a shot. This is just the beginning." - Gil Hicks
Only Thieves have shared the stage with such acts as Sub-Pop artists Fleet Foxes and Blitzen Trapper, seminal Indie Gods Elf Power, and (ex-At the Drive In/Sparta) Sleepercar.
Press Contact: Chuck Daley/Beartrap PR (Chuck@beartrappr.com)
Booking Contact: Jeff Meyers/Beartrap Booking
(Jeff@beartrappr.com)
Links
