Free Shirt Wednesday – 12/15 – The Common Men

I was surprised and excited when I check the mail the other day. It was a package. I could tell it was a shirt. Looking at the return label I see it’s from The Common Men! Kevin Ian of The Common Men has been a long time guest poster, with his really popular ‘Rethinking Guitar‘ articles. I’ve listened to The Common Men in the past, and Kevin is a guy that really knows his effects, and has a drive for sonic experimentation.

So The Common Men is a post-punk band from Davis, California. I myself immediately gravitate towards bands like this. I definitely have a soft spot for dark, dare-I-say-moody-pop type bands with reverb, delay, sonic explosions and rhythm section that keeps it all together. Vocals that are intense, with a baritone lower register. Lyrics that are well thought out and has a tendency to make you read into them. You can tell the inspirational influences for the band could be Joy Division.. Interpol.. Editors.. The National, etc. All good stuff.

Listening to the MP3s on their site, I was already interested in the explosions or bursts of noise in their songs. Intense feedback.. to chirping .. to swirling at moments. I’ve seen Ian’s pedalboard(s) evolve, morph and change on a ever changing cycle, so who knows what he’s using on those spots. I’m sure their live shows are very intense and dramatic with tension and release of sonic fury.

Please check out The Common Men at Facebook, MySpace and Twitter!