Day in and day out, breeds of musicians pop up and just as easily, go out the door before you even take notice. Very few times do you find the likes of Tyler Glenn (lead vocals/keyboards), Chris Allen (guitars), Branden Campbell (bass), and Elaine Bradley (drums/vocals) who make-up Neon Trees.

Of sheer mystique with roots in punk rock and electronica, the Neon Trees express their youth in song. The group has a sense of spiritual development through behavioral assessment and explorations that are essentially revealed in song through rhythm and beat. Their new album, Habits, is about bad habits developed from love, life and relationships. Upon seeing the group last December on their first tour-stop in New York City, it was apparent within minutes that their chemistry is hard to come by. Along with what they say in lyric, they sing out and play loud too– yet, the nuance of their instruments never get lost in between.  The combination of Tyler Glenn’s fiery vocals with the band’s punk riffs shows that the Neon Trees have learned the rules and are now at a point where they’re writing their own – they feel the music and exude it through means of emotional energy.

Great new bands are met with comparisons to other great bands we hope they would be like, but thus far, the Neon Trees are different – writing their own book and story, a story that will develop on its own because they have so much character.  Their smooth combination of pop hooks and rock melodies stand out like an anthem of the youth. With a refreshing vibe, their songs are painted with the charisma of stories that ring with ballads of musical intensity and sensuality by artists who are in-tune with their passion. The group is already making headway to SXSW before their tour with 30 Seconds to Mars and Mute Math this  April. (we’re pretty sure that somewhere along the way Tyler Glenn inspired Jared Leto’s new haircut)

Neon Trees – Animal

Check out the official music video for “Animal”

Their debut album, Habits, comes out today. Click through for an interview with vocalist and keys player Tyler Glenn, where he dishes on the band and talks about aspects of their journey, followed by photos of their December performance and their video for “Calling My Name”.

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We’ve got our tickets and we are on board the Golden Filter train. Since catching the group at the Tribeca Grand, we could only marvel at their secrecy – any information we learned only led to more questions. Between touring and working on a new album, we caught up with Penelope (the lead singer) and Stephen (the simultaneous drummer and keys player) for a Q&A. Their first release “Solid Gold” made a splash on the web, garnering the group some worldwide attention. With “Thunderbird,” their long-awaited single, we can only wonder what they have in store for their upcoming album – set for release early 2010. Click through for the interview and teaser.

Golden Filter – “Thunderbird”

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Like classic rock and roll, CBGB may only hold remnants of its past, but seeing Semi Precious Weapons in the “birthplace of punk” was like re-living an ethereal memory that others have only written about. We caught their performance earlier this month at John Varvatos’ monthly Thursday Nite Live party.  While there is no comparison between the John Varvatos store to CBGB, the space stays true to the location that once served as the mecca of punk. Perhaps those days are gone, but with music acts gracing the stage once again, a piece of CBGB can live on through its new occupant.

If Varvatos replacing CBGB is an example of how punk has risen from its former grungy underground scene to glamour and fashion, then there is no better example than the Semi Precious Weapons. Even more fitting of what may arise from Glam-Rock, the group is a great representation of the louche compendium that punk culture has evolved into.

Their music, which lead Singer Justin Tranter describes as, “Rock n Roll. Simple,” is brought to life in their performance. Whether he’s changing his outfit in front of the audience or screaming, “I hope you all get laid,” Justin Tranter’s presence is nothing short of mesmerizing (in high heels, no less). With a fan base that includes Lady Gaga and Perez Hilton, Semi Precious Weapons are off to a promising start.

Read the full interview and watch their unplugged version of “Rock n Roll Never Looked So Beautiful” after the jump.  Semi Precious Weapons will be back in NYC on September 16 as part of the Perez Hilton Presents tour, which also features Ladyhawke, Ida Maria and Frankmusik. Click here to see Kenroy George’s photos of Semi Precious Weapons at the John Varvatos store.

Semi Precious Weapons – Rock’n'Roll Never Looked So Beautiful (unplugged)

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