Brighton band TIGERCUB make their debut on B3 with 90’s-referencing sonics of “Hold On”. A neat mix of grunge-y and mid 90’s melody and instrumentation fused with a more modern overall quality, “Hold On” is a strong example of the nascent revival in good hook-y guitar rock.
TIGERCUB 
(Facebook)
“Home” is new from Des Moines, IA artist Max Jury. The 21-year old’s wistful piano-driven “Home” reminds a bit thematically of Elton John or even Paul McCartney at their more vulnerable moments. “Home” really impresses on its beautifully simple melodic phrasings and warm instrumentation. We love it. Mr. Jury has a new EP in the works and will be in Austin next week for several performances at SXSW.
Max Jury 
(Soundcloud)
Great name for a band, right? Three of the four Gateway Drugs peeps include Gabe, Noa, and Liv, the two sons and a daughter of bassist Prescott Niles of The Knack. Yes, this family grew up in the aura of that unforgettable “My Sharona” octave bassline. That was the #1 song of 1979 so how could it not be an influence, right? Their sense of melody is definitely present, but this band rocks hard, heavy, and raw. “Fridays” has a driving, hooky garage feel to it that will stick to you throughout, starting with the intro. Check out their Magick Spells album, which will show you the depth this band possesses. They are currently on tour with Swervedriver and will be at SXSW next week. Their Roxy show last week was a major success here in West Hollywood; the sound mix wasn’t favorable to their vocals but what came through was that these guys seriously know how to play and that they’re at the gateway to bigger things. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Gateway Drugs 
(Facebook)
Gengahr release new EP on Transgressive Records. “She’s A Witch” is the EP and the hazy melodic pop of “Haunter” is the EP’s most recent stream. We dig the track and the EP and look forward to catching the London four-piece at SXSW next week.
Gengahr (Facebook)
Will Joseph Cook announces new EP, “You Jump I Run” for Duly Noted, with kinetic new bit of classic pop “Message”. “You Jump I Run” is out April 21st and Cook will be doing a London gig the following night at Servant Jazz Quarters.
Will Joseph Cook (Facebook)
One of our favorite voices in the world, Aussie export George Maple plays The Lyric Theater in Los Angeles this Saturday, 03/14. Maple’s progressive mix of R&B, pop and state of the genre bass music reached a zenith late last year on the Future Classic release “Talk Talk”. If you want to be at the Lyric on Saturday for Ms. Maple, B3 is giving away a pair of passes to one very fortunate reader. To enter email us by 2 PM Pacific on Thursday (03/12). Details and ticket purchase information on the George Maple gig at The Lyric can be found here.
George Maple 
(Facebook)
“Earth Not Above” is the second track from background info-scarce UK act HÆLOS. On “Earth Not Above”, the band take current trends in UK electronic music and an infuse a Massive Attack/ latter-days Depeche Mode-styled sense of space and fidelity creating a cool and (most mercifully) refreshing sound.
SPZRKT & Sango have linked up for a joint EP (out now) and our pick from the set is the late-night R&B tones of track “How Do You Love Me”.
Sango 
(Facebook)
“Letting In” is the online debut of Beauville, the project of L.A. resident via Maryland Josh Bovill. “Letting In” as a song is remarkable and very impressive; neat instrumentation and use of harmony that frame an emotionally precise stable of really strong melodic phrases. A++.
Beauville (Soundcloud)
Blog pop’s hottest name Phoebe Ryan follows up the breakthrough success of “Mine” with equally potent new one “Dead”.
Phoebe Ryan (Soundcloud)
NYC-based producer Figgy revamps Brandy-sampling 2015 standout “REAL” (from LA-based 90’s house/R&B mixmaster Le Youth) for a sublimely centered, vibrantly catchy new electro-soul dance track to top this week’s playlist. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Figgy 
(Soundcloud(/a>)
