Steel Phantoms
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
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Press
Openers Steel Phantoms were almost shockingly good.... From the moment the band started to the final burning note, guitarist Jesse Newkirk IV performed as if it were the final moments before the apocalypse and all he wanted to do was play the fucking guitar. It was a thing of beauty.... Steel Phantoms' sound was killer, straightforward rock, fueled by blazing guitar [...] and ignited by Harris's expert drumming.... Steel Phantoms delivered controlled chaos and concise rock without losing steam. - Riverfront Times
Openers Steel Phantoms were almost shockingly good.... From the moment the band started to the final burning note, guitarist Jesse Newkirk IV performed as if it were the final moments before the apocalypse and all he wanted to do was play the fucking guitar. It was a thing of beauty.... Steel Phantoms' sound was killer, straightforward rock, fueled by blazing guitar [...] and ignited by Harris's expert drumming.... Steel Phantoms delivered controlled chaos and concise rock without losing steam. - Riverfront Times
I’m thoroughly impressed by the work of the duo, Steel Phantoms. When I first heard this track, I thought the group might approach the sound of Dodos, but they totally turned it up a notch, adding a more raucous element with the pounding of the drum section. Sure, they mellow out momentarily in parts, but the whole of the track is much more forceful. The band has a new self-titled EP that’s heading your way on July 16th, and it’s figuring to have a heavy spot in your summertime rotation, combining sprawling indie rock with energetic anthems. - Austin Town Hall
I’m thoroughly impressed by the work of the duo, Steel Phantoms. When I first heard this track, I thought the group might approach the sound of Dodos, but they totally turned it up a notch, adding a more raucous element with the pounding of the drum section. Sure, they mellow out momentarily in parts, but the whole of the track is much more forceful. The band has a new self-titled EP that’s heading your way on July 16th, and it’s figuring to have a heavy spot in your summertime rotation, combining sprawling indie rock with energetic anthems. - Austin Town Hall
Brooklyn buds self-release self-titled EP on July 16
Steel Phantoms teased their upcoming self-titled EP late last year with the triumphant "Curtain Call," and now the Brooklyn duo — comprised of singer-drummer Aaron Harris (formerly of Islands) and guitarist Jesse Newkirk — have fired off a second sample from their impending short-player. "Matt LeBlanc" thrives off Harris' charismatic vocals and Newkirk's agile guitar work, which seamlessly transitions back and forth between needling pointillism and ragged, hip-swiveling jukes. Stream it below. - Spin
Brooklyn buds self-release self-titled EP on July 16
Steel Phantoms teased their upcoming self-titled EP late last year with the triumphant "Curtain Call," and now the Brooklyn duo — comprised of singer-drummer Aaron Harris (formerly of Islands) and guitarist Jesse Newkirk — have fired off a second sample from their impending short-player. "Matt LeBlanc" thrives off Harris' charismatic vocals and Newkirk's agile guitar work, which seamlessly transitions back and forth between needling pointillism and ragged, hip-swiveling jukes. Stream it below. - Spin
Steel Phantoms are back with a jangly new single (sans keyboards). They are now a duo and have a slightly punk-ier sound, but don’t worry they are still catchy as hell. The single should get you excited for a whole album of Steel Phantoms singing drummer goodness. - Gimme Tinnitus
Steel Phantoms are back with a jangly new single (sans keyboards). They are now a duo and have a slightly punk-ier sound, but don’t worry they are still catchy as hell. The single should get you excited for a whole album of Steel Phantoms singing drummer goodness. - Gimme Tinnitus
An interview we did for the release of our most recent EP, 'Forer'. - BlackBook Magzine
An interview we did for the release of our most recent EP, 'Forer'. - BlackBook Magzine
Today’s suggested listening: Forer – the self-funded, second EP from Steel Phantoms. Following up their eponymous debut, the unsigned, Brooklyn indie trio deliver yet another solid, sometimes quirky, no-frills progressive indie rock album. Expect crisp guitars, beautifully layered vocal harmonies, masterfully placed moog and a subdued intensity and introspection reminiscent of The Modern Lovers and Wolf Parade. Support the good fight! and download or stream the full album right HERE. - DIsco Salt
Today’s suggested listening: Forer – the self-funded, second EP from Steel Phantoms. Following up their eponymous debut, the unsigned, Brooklyn indie trio deliver yet another solid, sometimes quirky, no-frills progressive indie rock album. Expect crisp guitars, beautifully layered vocal harmonies, masterfully placed moog and a subdued intensity and introspection reminiscent of The Modern Lovers and Wolf Parade. Support the good fight! and download or stream the full album right HERE. - DIsco Salt
I used to live with someone who only liked music if he could predict the next chord change. Can you imagine anything more dull?
He would, I suspect, have difficulty predicting even the next bar of any given point in this Steel Phantoms track. It is gloriously erratic, sounding as if the chord progressions have in fact been chosen at random, or perhaps by some elaborate mathematical formula. It’s not dissimilar to some of the faux-hi life that’s been coming out of Steel Phantoms’ native Brooklyn in the last couple of years, but it’s really rather more interesting than the bulk of their contemporaries’ output. Unpredictability is definitely a good thing. - The Line of Best Fit
I used to live with someone who only liked music if he could predict the next chord change. Can you imagine anything more dull?
He would, I suspect, have difficulty predicting even the next bar of any given point in this Steel Phantoms track. It is gloriously erratic, sounding as if the chord progressions have in fact been chosen at random, or perhaps by some elaborate mathematical formula. It’s not dissimilar to some of the faux-hi life that’s been coming out of Steel Phantoms’ native Brooklyn in the last couple of years, but it’s really rather more interesting than the bulk of their contemporaries’ output. Unpredictability is definitely a good thing. - The Line of Best Fit
Discography
'Steel Phantoms EP' - due out 07/16/13
'Matt LeBlanc' single - 06/2013
'Curtain Call' single - 11/2012
'Forer EP' - 07/2011
'Film Reel Quiver' single - 01/2011
'Steel Phantoms' - 06/2010
Photos
Bio
Former drummer of Montreal indie group Islands, Aaron Harris entered the Brooklyn scene in 2009 when he started Steel Phantoms. Jesse Newkirk soon joined the band, and the combination of pointed songcrafting and dynamic stage shows has been dazzling crowds since. The Harris/Newkirk duo melds elements from the history of proto-punk, alternative, and modern indie to reach wide-ranging territory unexpected from a two-piece. Nevertheless, Harris’s fervid vocals and exhilarating drumming joined with Newkirk’s aggressive, ethereal guitar make for a definitive sound throughout.
After touring with Islands and Active Child in 2010 and winning critical acclaim from show critics, Steel Phantoms recorded the Forer EP in 2011. Featuring complex guitar timbres and layers of synths, all propelled by tight percussion, the record displayed a powerful-yet-subdued intensity. Riding on critical success and continued wooing of live audiences, Steel Phantoms won the November 2011 ballot for The Deli NYC’s best band of the month. The record’s final track, “Short Stuff,” foreshadowed the band’s stylistic step toward punkier, grungier sounds.
At the end of 2012, Steel Phantoms released the single “Curtain Call” which seamlessly covers a range of moods and textures leaving critics clamoring for more. This is just the first taste of the band’s next EP due out in mid 2013.
The sound of the Harris/Newkirk duo has been compared to Sonic Youth, The Smiths, and Beach House. Notable performances include Pop Montreal, SXSW, the KahBang festival, and touring with Islands and Active Child. The tracks “Short Stuff” and “Bedouin” are currently featured in the second season of MTV’s World of Jenks.
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