The Junior Panthers
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The Junior Panthers

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"Sirens CD Review"

"Sirens is a new limited edition cd from this fine Bay Area foursome! Our first encounter with Junior Panthers was back in 2002... no, not really all that long ago! Their band name was fitting, collegiate and energetic. Their self-titled debut album was a bright sunbeam of buoyant pop. The next we heard from them was their Derelicts cdep in 2006, and it seemed they were still destined for jangly indie pop darling status. Now just two years later, they're a whole 'nother band... still very good, but very different. Think: a lot less bounce, and more beefed up rock. Ultra drenched in reverby guitar effects, Sirens is far more shoegazerly and spacily psychedelic than past recordings seemingly inspired by equal parts My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Jesus & Mary Chain, Swervedriver and Polvo. Cool." -Aquarius Records August 22nd, 2008 - Aquarius Records


"Chart Toppers"

February Chart Toppers @ KSCU 103.3 FM:
#7 - The Junior Panthers, “Derelicts” - Zero Magazine


"Skinny Magazine "Derelicts" CD Review 2006"

This EP from the Junior Panthers has made perfect listening for the unseasonably warm, sunny weather we’ve had in the City for the past week, the kind of music that makes me want to drive down Highway 1 with the top down (if I had a top to put down), volume cranked to ten. The follow-up to the [band's] 2003 self-titled debut album, Derelicts features five songs (and one untitled bonus track) that show the growth of the band through a solidified lineup and a greater depth to the music, while still bringing the jangly, shake-your-booty guitar pop that fans have come to rely on from this San Francisco four-piece. Clean production showcases the band’s breezy harmonies and tight rhythms as they channel Going Blank Again-era Ride, especially on “Paranormal,� with singer Edwin Gomez doing a spot-on Mark Gardner. Other highlights include the ebullient power pop of the lead track, “Pills,� and the Dandy Warhols guitar fuzz on “No Turning Back.� Call it the feel-good record of the year; the Junior Panthers will help keep things warm and sunny long after the end of our Indian summer.
-Jennifer Elks - Skinny Magazine


"CMJ Album Review July 2003"

"San Francisco's The Junior Panthers provide the perfect soundtrack for getting through the dog days of summer: 13 well-crafted, energetic, feel-good pop songs. The band (formerly the Damsels) has clearly done its music-history homework, drawing on a wide range of influences from '60s standards like the Beach Boys all the way to indie-rockers like Sloan. (They cite the latter's One Chord to Another as a source of both inspiration and a band name.) The sweet vocal harmonies of the opener 'mg/sec' perfectly set the scene and gets toes tapping and heads bobbing in no time flat; 'California''s dirty guitar licks and infectious lyrics create a pure pop gem that testifies to the band's ability to combine elements of Beach Boys rock, shoegazey swirl and power pop. 'Midway' brings to mind the sugarcoated indie-pop of Imperial Teen, with sporadic hand-claps, rumbling basslines and a chorus that will stick in your head like bubblegum in the tread of a pair of Chuck Taylors. 'Astray Holiday', one of two strummy acoustic tracks, features the most reflective lyrics on the album, while the ironically titled 'Damsels Getaway' presents a band embracing its potential and chance at a fresh start. These panthers are pretty tame, but their purr is rather pleasing. (Caroline Borolla) - CMJ


"Crashin' In Indie Review April 2004"

Junior Panthers have a very warm California feel/sound to them, which is strange as they are from the chilly city of San Francisco. They even have a song called ÒCaliforniaÓ that The Thrills could learn a thing or two about good song writing from. With their sugar/pop (Beach Boy-esq.) vocals and harmonies, they often remind me of Rooney. Maybe they could get a spot on that TV show, OC, that Rooney just played on. Keep the sunshine flowing boys; we need some of that here in NYC. (Lio Cerezo) - Crashin' In


"Music Spork Taste Test June/July 2003"

Teenage Fanclub + Ride + Big Star = The Junior Panthers
"I'm sure you heard it said before, that to the optimist, the great thing about scrambled eggs is that no matter which way you turn them, they're always sunny side up. Well if those same optimists wanted to rock out after breakfast, I think we've found them the perfect album. Once known as the Damsels, San Francisco's The Junior Panthers have released a sweet, sweet gem of a debut. Recalling the pop rock of the '60s with their sugary harmonies, and the power pop of the '70s with their crunchy, hooky guitar riffs, The JPs reminds me of Big Star with more of a '90s Britpop influence. In fact, I would say that The JPs music has elements of the classic shoegazer band Ride (think 'Twisterella' or something else off of 'Going Blank Again'), without sounding like just another Ride wannabe, which I felt the Damsels were, to a small degree. The album begins on an upbeat note and doesn't really stop, even when the tempo slows down. Everything sounds so nice and pretty, thanks in part to Edwin's warm and mellow vocals. Tracks of note include 'Mg/Sec', 'California,' 'Damsels Getaway', and 'Defy Your Radio', which is actually on there twice. A warning, however: these songs are catchy; the kind of catchy that sticks in your head and doesn't leave very easily. You'll be snapping your fingers, tapping your toes, bobbing before you know it. Having heard so much 'cool' music over the last few years, I must say that catchy, sunny, sweet music is refreshing, especially for the indie and hipster rock scene. For fans of power pop bands like Teenage FanClub and Sloan, this album is a must have. But, fans of bands like Call and Response and Mates of State will also enjoy the Junior Panthers for their sunny disposition." (Boyintheboat) - Music Spork


"BUZZ Magazine CD Review May/June 2003"

"The first track, 'mg/sec', on The Junior Panthers' (formerly known as the Damsels) satisfying debut sounds as if they want you immediately to hear everything they are capable of: a juicy riff, a driving chorus, a jazzy breakdown, and perfect pop-harmonies are all crammed into the first four minutes. With that declaration of all good things in pop music out of the way, they let subsequent songs breathe a bit more. Still, their bag of tricks seems bottomless and the album is filled with fun stuff like handclaps, shakers, and 'whoa, whoa' backing vocals. Each song encompasses a different style, whether it's the laid-back Serge Gainsbourg-esque guitar and flute on 'Embers', or the foot-stomping Stones-y riffs on 'Defy Your Radio'. Definitely steeped in retro guitar-pop, The Junior Panthers share common ground with bands like Apples in Stereo, the Posies, and Teenage Fanclub, and like these bands they keep their Beatles, Byrds, and Big Star fixations just far enough out of reach to keep things sounding fresh. When Edwin sings, 'I wander in and out of style' on the track 'Midway', he ain't kiddin'. (Mike Alexis) - Bay Area BUZZ Magazine


"West Coast Performer Live Review March 2003"

A Performer Presents Showcase: The Junior Panthers / The New Strange / SLA at the Stork Club, Oakland, 01/11/03: "...melodic ultra-pop melodies rose to the forefront ...The Junior Panthers, the new incarnation of SF power pop fave the Damsels, kicked off the evening wither their seamless blend of feel good pop, playing a cohesive set to a toe-tapping, head-bobbing crowd. Edwin's vocals spead like warm caramel sauce over an ice cream sundae of guitar hooks and crunchy riffs. Playing in support of their self-titled debut album, the Junior Panthers' '60s pop harmonies and catchy guitar highlighted their extremely hummable songs. Their performance left listeners yearning for their CD like a Hershey's kiss to satisfy a sweet tooth. A headline worthy set of soothing snack-pop, so good you could eat it." (Lisa Butterworth)
- West Coast Performer Magazine


"Top Indie Pop + Rock Picks 2007"

"San Francisco's Junior Panthers produce catchy, bouncy, jangly, summery pop."
-Elise Nordling, SOMA FM - RightRound / SOMA FM


"Delicious Indie Pop Nuggets 2006"

"With a new lineup, they've picked up right where they left off, dishing out their delicious indie pop nuggets. They stick with the basics, crunchy guitars, dreamy boy vocals and infectious hooks galore. What more could you ask for? Well, except for it to have been released during the Summer months because it's ideal driving to the beach music. Hmmm, I guess it can just as easily warm and brighten an Autumn or Winter day now, can't it? Yes Indeedie!" - Aquarius Records


Discography

"Sirens" (Summer 2008)
"Derelicts" (Fall 2006)
Get Lost Records

"The Junior Panthers" (2003)
The First Time Records/Get Lost Records

Airplay: US / College Radio, Internet Radio, UK, Japan, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Canada

February 2007 chart toppers at 103.3 KSCU:
The Junior Panthers - "Derelicts"

Please request the Junior Panthers on: SOMA FM, BAGeL Radio, KSCU, KZSU, KSPC, WMBR, WRPB, Last.FM, Live365/CMJ Music Marathon, Live365/Pop Bang Radio...

Photos

Bio

September 2008: The Junior Panthers are the winners of the first ever Psychedelic Spotlight contest on www.muzikreviews.com:
"The Junior Panthers impressed us as vibrant and psychedelic rock mix that caught ours ears and imaginations. In a tough field of great
contestants they emerged as our pick for a band to watch."

With influences such as the Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream and the Rolling Stones, the Junior Panthers like to shake it up with their own style of raucous riffs, driving rhythms, and addictive melodies. The band has toured the US with Mark Gardener (of RIDE), played festivals including CMJ, Noisepop and Mission Creek and has shared the stage with Adam Franklin (of Swervedriver), The Soledad Brothers, Moving Units, Persephone's Bees, The Pattern, Mates of State, Comet Gain, the Lovemakers, Go Go Go Airheart, Loquat, Oranger, the Love Scene, Creeper Lagoon, Imperial Teen, Whysall Lane, Bellavista, The Dilettantes, Pink Clouds, Gram Rabbit and BRMC.

MCMAF Show Review: The Junior Panthers @ Cafe du Nord 5/15/07

"The Junior Panthers play lush, head-filling indie pop. I'm compelled to call them shoegazery, but really their sound is too upbeat to label them anything introverted and/or self-involved. As soon as I got close to the stage at the Du Nord, I found myself wrapped in pleasantly complex, melodic tunes that made me forget my ex-girlfriend, global warming and the three slices of sausage and pepperoni pizza with chili flakes I'd eaten that afternoon." -Ben Mirov, The Bay Bridged

R E L E A S E S:

"SIRENS" (2008)

"Sirens is a new limited edition cd from this fine Bay Area foursome! Our first encounter with Junior Panthers was back in 2002... no, not really all that long ago! Their band name was fitting, collegiate and energetic. Their self-titled debut album was a bright sunbeam of buoyant pop. The next we heard from them was their Derelicts cdep in 2006, and it seemed they were still destined for jangly indie pop darling status. Now just two years later, they're a whole 'nother band... still very good, but very different. Think: a lot less bounce, and more beefed up rock. Ultra drenched in reverby guitar effects, Sirens is far more shoegazerly and spacily psychedelic than past recordings seemingly inspired by equal parts My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Jesus & Mary Chain, Swervedriver and Polvo. Cool." -Aquarius Records August 22nd, 2008

"SIRENS" is available at:
-CD Baby
-Aquarius Records - www.aquariusrecords.org

"DERELICTS" (2006)

These San Francisco cats notorious for raw guitars and addictive melodies are showcasing their current release, "Derelicts". A departure from formulaic pop, the Junior Panthers aren't strung out by unusual chord progressions and frayed edges. Although the band pays homage to their influences, the melodies, hooks and feel are distinctly their own.

"...Delicious indie pop nuggets...and infectious hooks galore." -Aquarius Records

"San Francisco's Junior Panthers produce catchy, bouncy, jangly, summery pop." -Elise Nordling, SOMA FM / RightRound

"This EP from the Junior Panthers has made perfect listening for the unseasonably warm, sunny weather we’ve had in the City for the past week, the kind of music that makes me want to drive down Highway 1 with the top down (if I had a top to put down), volume cranked to ten. The follow-up to the former Damsels’ 2003 self-titled debut album, Derelicts features five songs (and one untitled bonus track) that show the growth of the band through a solidified lineup and a greater depth to the music, while still bringing the jangly, shake-your-booty guitar pop that fans have come to rely on from this San Francisco four-piece. Clean production showcases the band’s breezy harmonies and tight rhythms as they channel Going Blank Again-era Ride, especially on “Paranormal,” with singer Edwin Gomez doing a spot-on Mark Gardner. Other highlights include the ebullient power pop of the lead track, “Pills,” and the Dandy Warhols guitar fuzz on “No Turning Back.” Call it the feel-good record of the year; the Junior Panthers will help keep things warm and sunny long after the end of our Indian summer." – Jennifer Elks, Skinny Magazine

"DERELICTS" is available at:
-CD Baby
-Aquarius Records - www.aquariusrecords.org
-Amoeba Music (San Francisco)
-Streetlight Records (San Jose)

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"THE JUNIOR PANTHERS" (2003)

CMJ Album Review July 2003 "San Francisco's The Junior Panthers provide the perfect soundtrack for getting through the dog days of summer: 13 well-crafted, energetic, feel-good pop songs." -Caroline Borolla

Music Spork Taste Test June/July 2003 "San Francisco's The Junior Panthers have released a sweet, sweet gem of a debut. Recalling the pop rock of the '60s with their sugary harmonies, and the power pop of the '70s with their crunchy, hooky guitar riffs, The JPs reminds me of Big Star with more of a '90s Britpop influence. In f