Album Review: You're On The Wrong Drugs by The Lollipops

“I’m over the bah bah bahs,” Iggy Cosky says. And the gritty garage of October’s You’re On The Wrong Drugs demos has his band, The Lollipops, pushing in different directions for sure. Since The Lollipops broke into the Triangle music scene last year, they’ve been known for their melodramatic pop dazzlers with catchy choruses about love.

But on the opening track “Call the Doctor,” Cosky proves that The Lollipops are capable of so much more. “Call the Doctor” is a fuzzed out, frantic two minute rager. There’s a dizzy guitar riff that holds down the track while Cosky screams over it. This is not a dreamy love song. “Some people might think I’m losing it,” Cosky says. But he insists that You’re On The Wrong Drugs shows a natural evolution into something that he says is “not as polite or tame” as the old Lollipops.

This past summer Cosky listened to a lot of Jay Retard and Fela Kuti, with the former influence showing up in the demo’s interludes. The terse interludes are Cosky’s interpretation of what he calls “sex funk.” “I took an Afro-beat approach,” Cosky explains, “The grooves are syncopated. The bass is locked in with the drums.” “There’s a riot going on” is just shy of a minute, closing out the demo, lingering with the listener, leaving them wanting more.

And more is to be expected with the ever prolific Cosky. He’s already in the works on a side project called Julius Ransome, which he self describes as “RnB/Funk that may take a Kraut Rock/Jazz direction.” More Lollipops demos will be released soon as well, one will be folky and the other will be more electronic. But if You’re On The Wrong Drugs is a preview of the new Lollipops, where ever Cosky leads them next will be exciting to see. 

Listen to You're On The Wrong Drugs here.

Listen to new music from Julius Ransome below:

Show Review: Hopscotch Music Festival, Day 3

Spiritualized @ City Plaza

By the time Saturday rolled around exhausted is one of the words I had in my rolodex to tell people how I was feeling when asked. But despite my energetic woes, there was no way that I'd miss out on the full days worth of shows that came along with Saturday's Day Parties. While the move shows my nonsensical youth at work, my day began right at 12:00 thanks to Trekky's Day Party and an open bar thanks to Team Clermont. Because what better way to battle hangovers than with a quick round of day drinking?

Winston-Salem's fuzzed-out rockers Estrangers kicked off the day for me, so while half of this attendance was for the free booze the other was most definitely to see this fantastic band. Their debut full-length Season of 1000 Colors (you can check out my review in Creative Loafing Charlotte today!) was released earlier this summer and proved to be one of my favorite local releases of the first half of the year. It's unfair to make Love Language comparisons of any local act that's got reverb-washed, classic pop stylings--but frankly the comparison is apt when it comes to Estrangers. Phillip Pledger's unrestrained vocals are liable to turn on a dime, ranging from delicate croons to passionate wails.

Immediately after Estrangers came a solo set from Hi Ho Silver Oh and it was one of the few sets this year that absolutely blew me out of the water. Everyone packed upstairs for the quaint show, but Casey Trela held nothing back in a powerful set that slowly evolved into a riveting full-band display with locals Joah Tunnel and Josh Kimbrough joining Trela for fully fleshed-out interpretations of his raw, attention-grabbing tracks. Trela's folk inspired melodies took form over a looped guitar that added depth and complexity to his bone-chilling vocal delivery. I walked in oblivious to this former North Carolinian's act and immediately left with the desire to immerse myself in their work. A stellar set that set the bar high throughout the day.

Big Boi, Local Natives, John Cale and nearly 172 others to play Hopscotch 2013

Big Boi will be headlining Hopscotch 2013
Performing Friday, September 6th at City Plaza

Since its inception Hopscotch has been a festival filled with diversity.  From Panda Bear to Public Enemy, Flaming Lips to Guided By Voices, and The Roots to Built To Spill, we've seen a wide variety of acts grace the now 15 stages that make up the Hopscotch Music Festival.  Each year we've see bigger names, deeper lineups and a consistent focus on local music and 2013 proves to amplify each of these aspects.  This morning the Hopscotch lineup was released to an eager audience that have let out a collective cry of joy over what many are calling the best lineup yet.

While many festivals boast the same acts, Hopscotch is built around unique experiences.  Concert goers can experience sets at Hopscotch that simply aren't possible anywhere else on the festival circuit.  Whether it be The Breeders' Last Splash set or The Rosebuds cover of Sade's Love Deluxe, Hopscotch contains one of a kind sets from some of the finest active, and even inactive acts.  Whether it be a seldom seen set from the stoner-metal pioneers of Sleep or the eclectic lineup of Gross Ghost followed by Future Islands followed by Big Boi at City Plaza, Hopscotch provides a bit of something for everyone.

Tickets for Hopscotch are on-sale now with a 3-Day Pass at $125 and a VIP pass at $180.  Single-day passes will be available in June, but quite frankly passing up on such an incredible weekend at such a phenomenal price would be a huge mistake.  I'm already absurdly excited for September, between Earl Sweatshirt, Action Bronson, Local Natives and countless other acts I know this is going to be yet another unforgettable weekend.  The full lineup can be found below: