Touques
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Touques

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"eatenbymonsters.wordpress.com"

As I listened to this eponymous EP from US outfit The Touques I am ashamed to say my first thought was that they sounded pretty amateurish. The guitars sounded too loud, there were tuning issues all over the place and the whole thing sounded like one big mess. But then about halfway through the record something happened; I “got” what The Touques were doing.

Quite frankly, this record is just mad enough to work. Since coming to this realisation I’ve had the EP on repeat constantly and it gets more and more enjoyable with every listen. The guitars aren’t too loud, the tuning’s deliberately obtuse, and when viewed simply as a sonic entity what at first sounded like mess is actually a very astute creation indeed.

The music of The Touques is perhaps a touch too arch for most listeners, but I get the impression that those who do understand what’s going on will absolutely love it. - Tom Hazledine


"mojophenia.blogspot.com"

Damn those Touques with their reverberating effect pedals and noisy Pop compositions. A revised line-up for 2009 provides punchy rawness to some already epic sounding tunes. The new self-titled EP from the Reno based trio theatrically tip-toes across genres like a travelling salesman tentatively eyeing up a hotel mini bar. Catchy hooks produce images of Muse negotiating a prearranged power cut or The Editors/Franz Ferdinand partaking in late night Eighties PowerPop exploration. There`s a planned full-length album next year, so in the meantime check out previous offerings over at their website. Keep twisting those knobs man, those amps really like to be buzzing. - Andy


"asfm.blogspot.com"

I was recently contacted by "The Touques" (pronounced the Two-ks) and asked whether I would listen to their new EP.

Guess what? I did and I love it, its been playing non-stop since I got it.

The Touques are from Reno, Nevada, they've been around since 2005 and you can find more about them here and at their myspace site (where you can try these songs out, before downloading).

The first track "4" is the best of the pick and the one that has been buzzing around my head ever since I heard it. There's a blend of post-punk, surf and pop that delivers a dark sound surrounded with guitar riffs, excellent harmonies, hand clapping, well everything actually.

"Roy Stampler" follows with a catchy guitar riff, and then just as you start to tap your feet to it, it changes into a ripping post-punk sound, and it just keeps changing, you gotta love this.

Third up is "White Elephant" a stange instrumental, with an excellent surf riff throughout

Two more tracks "HRPM" and "Goodbye Monsieur" with that now familiar "Touques" sound, but enough of me rambling on, go on to their mysapce site, try them out and if you like them then you can download all five tracks here.

If you like the Touques you can also buy thier earlier material at the same link above.

So what do you think of the Touques?, leave a comment and let everyone know. - Gary ChChing


"sfcritic.blogspot.com"

The Touques (pronounced "two-ks") are a three piece rock outfit from Reno. They have been playing shows (from the looks of their website, a lot of shows) and plan on recording a full-length album in Montreal in 2010. Their current release is a fun five-song EP entitled, The Touques EP. The band is clearly influenced by a British pop and post-punk sound, but also has a touch of the classic surf sound. As could be expected from those comparisons, lyrics and songwriting take a backseat on all the tracks, particularly on "White Elephant (Settling)," where they are completely absent. While at first this seems distracting, this track helps to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the others. The EP clearly showcases that the group has some real instrumental skill, however, the weak vocals makes them sound rather unpolished, particularly on "Goodbye Monsieur". It's not a stretch to expect their live shows are fun and elicit what these guys are all about. Going forward, they need to get a singer with real chops or one that can pull off the "so weird it's great" sound they've already got down pat in instrumentals and arrangements.

Sounds like: Anyone remember Ash?
Listen to: Roy Stampler, HRPM - SFCritic


"whisperingandhollering.com"

“At a time when every underground group is either aping Modest Mouse or the emo brigade, it's nice to hear some craziness as the Touques bring to the table here.” - Adam Harrington


"auburnjournal.com"

“Some bands have tried to travel this whimsical path, but few are able to master it.” - Julie Miller


"ink19.com"

“To call a band that has the ability to call to mind Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, Ween, The Smiths, and The Flaming Lips simultaneously is beyond the simplistic definition of quirky.” - Jen Cray


"bibabidi.com"

“Their debut album is this off-kilter hybrid of contemplative and meticulous rock akin to Modest Mouse, totally out there experimental pop outfits like Man Man (or, better yet, the founders of the genre, the Bonzo Dog Doh-Dah Band), and grittier, surlier bar bands, perhaps Ian Drury & the Blockheads. While I must admit that, in the end, the Touques don't amount to the sum of the whole of the above stated groups, they prove themselves just as unique and exiting as any one of them on their own.” - Nick Mercer


Discography

Mustard Pickle Gun - 16 song CDLP – released September 2007
Lycanthrope EP - 4 Song CDEP - released February 2008
Invader - 10 Song CDLP - released September 2008
The Touques EP – 4 Song CDEP – released September 2009

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Bio

THE TOUQUES
(Verbally expressed as: “The Two-ks”)

The Touques started when college friends Julian Chang and Christian Laursen moved from Canada to work for the same company in the USA. They met Michael Livernash by putting up posters at The University of Reno Nevada in 2005.

The three jammed with various local musicians for a year and decided to record an album. Mike’s friends suggested trying out The Hangar Studios in Sacramento, California. In 2007, the indie/pop record “Mustard Pickle Gun” was released. Unfortunately, from working, living and playing in the band together, various disagreements brewed between Julian and Christian. As the result, Christian quit the band and moved back to the East Coast.

Shortly after, through some strange circumstances, Julian and Mike met Jordan Morrison. Jordan added a darker and more abrasive element to the Touques. This was apparent on their second album, "Invader", released the following year. Amidst the countless practice sessions, the trio finally found a way to blend noise-Goth with Beatles influenced pop. Meanwhile, Mike struggled with scheduling time to play in a band, take classes and work for an art studio. Finally, in 2009, he decided to leave the band to concentrate on his art degree.

Through a friend’s friend, the band met Elliott Olson. With his steady driving beats, Elliott managed to keep the Touques’ rhythm section strong. Combined with the developed cohesiveness of Julian and Jordan’s songwriting, Elliott helped to create a new set of tunes for the Touques. Some 4-track demo recordings were made before the three went to record their self-titled EP at The Lion’s Den in Sacramento. The band plans to tour as much as they can before heading to Montreal, Québec to record their full-length album in 2010.

Shows:

01/20/2006 – Walden’s Coffeehouse – Reno, NV
02/24/2006 – Club Underground with Love's Proxy – Reno, NV
03/04/2006 – Fritz's Bar and Grill with Think in French – Reno, NV
05/06/2006 – Walden's Coffee House – Reno, NV
05/13/2006 – Zephyr Bar with Drinking with Clowns – Reno, NV
05/19/2006 – The Hacienda with Love's Proxy, – Reno, NV
06/18/2006 – Walden's Coffee House – Reno, NV
07/11/2006 – Satellite Cocktail Lounge – Reno, NV
08/05/2006 – Donner Summit Lounge – Donner Summit, CA
08/12/2006 – Fritz's Bar and Grill with The Metroids – Reno, NV
08/19/2006 – Walden's Coffeehouse – Reno, NV
08/26/2006 – XOXO Bar – Reno, NV
08/30/2006 – Record Street Café – Reno, NV
09/09/2006 – Club Underground with The Copied Copied & Gabriel Traverso – Reno, NV
09/14/2006 – The Hacienda – Reno, NV
09/16/2006 – Donner Summit Lounge - Donner Summit, CA
10/07/2006 – Club Underground with The Sunjul and Humble B – Reno, NV
10/21/2006 – Zephyr Bar with Gabriel Traverso – Reno, NV
10/28/2006 – Tahoe Underground - Stateline, CA
11/16/2006 – XOXO Bar Mister Vague and Meric Long (The Dodos)– Reno, NV
12/15/2006 – Club Underground with The Sunjul – Reno, NV
01/19/2007 – XOXO Bar with The Good Citizen and The Sunjul – Reno, NV
02/02/2007 – Zenbu with With Love's Proxy and Silver Griffin – Squaw Valley, CA
02/24/2007 – Club Underground – Reno, NV
03/09/2007 – Club Underground with Humble B and The Good Citizen – Reno, NV
03/31/2007 – Satellite Cocktail Lounge with Buster Blue and The Good Citizen – Reno, NV
05/11/2007 – Se7en – Reno, NV
08/03/2007 – The Loose Moose with Silver Griffin and Love's Proxy – Reno, NV
08/15/2007 – Open Ground Skatepark – Reno, NV
09/14/2007 – XOXO Bar with The Copied Copied – Reno, NV
09/29/2007 – The Green Room with Xenophobes – Reno, NV
10/13/2007 – Se7en – Reno, NV
10/13/2007 – Rocktoberfest – Reno, NV
10/23/2007 – Satellite Cocktail Lounge with My Messenger and Point Juncture WA– Reno, NV
10/28/2007 – KRZQ 100.9 FM Unplugged – Reno, NV
11/03/2007 – Comma Coffee with Coolhands and The Sunjul – Carson City, NV
12/29/2007 – Satellite Cocktail Lounge with Name Followed By Number and Think in French – Reno, NV
01/05/2008 – XOXO Bar – Reno, NV
02/06/2008 – KTHX 100.1 FM Unplugged – Reno, NV
02/07/2008 – Nevada Museum of Art – Reno, NV
05/10/2008 – Fil Fest @ Fritz’s – Reno, NV
05/23/2008 – House of Shields – San Francisco, CA
05/24/2008 – Grant & Green – San Francisco, CA
05/25/2008 – Mama Buzz Café with Foxtails Brigade and No School Fridays – Oakland, CA
05/28/2008 – Johnny B’s – Medford, OR
05/29/2008 – Tiny Tavern – Eugene, OR
05/30/2008 – Red and Black Café – Portland, OR
05/31/2008 – King Street Bar & Oven with Delta Blues and Spirituals – Seattle, WA
06/01/2008 – Café Venus / The Mars Bar with Gunbunny – Seattle, WA
06/03/2008 – The Royal with Paul Mauer and The Nextdoor Neighbors – Olympia, WA
06/14/2008 – Reflections – Reno, NV
06/21/2008 – Satellite Cocktail Lounge with Finn Riggins and Saint Lawrence – Reno, NV
09/18/2008 – Se7en – Reno, NV
10/14/2008 – Vixen with Mathematicians – Sparks, NV
11/08/2008 – Abby’s Highway 40 – Reno, NV
01/07/2009 – Red Rock w