Tag Archives: The Band of Bees

The Bees Knees

I remember back in the day, when I was budding computer programmer and a budding (still) musician.  The college scene led me to some tasty underground and overseas scenes.  One of the destinations was a group called The Bees.  Their first album, “Sunshine Hit Me,” I actually owned in CD format and I wore a hole in the cd player listening to it.  Welp, the magic continues at SXSW this year as The Band of Bees, their American name, will showcase their talents for thirsty young peeps like myself.

The Bees were Blitzen Trapper before Blitzen Trapper was Blitzen Trapper.  And I’m not talking about the Super Bowl Sunday.  Their earlier stuff sound much like “Silver Line” except it was harsher and more Spanish.  I’m reminded of dirty hammock on the beach with a half empty beer (not Corona) jamming out to The Bees and watching the sun going down.  The blizzard I’m knee-deep in right only makes me long for that time and place more.  There’s always a sliver lining and in this cased, it’s The Bees and “Sliver Line.”

[audio:http://146.190.132.255/audio/The_Bees_-_Silver_Line.mp3]

Getting Some Sweet Floating Action

Floating Action is actually the new moniker of musician Seth Kauffman.  Kauffman wrote and played most of the material and his supporting band mates take over on the road.  Hey, you can’t do everything on the stage.  These guys will trot on down to Austin, Texas for SXSW 2010.  This laid back dude sounds perfect for the chill portion of the music showcase.

So I’ve been accustomed to saying “this is the English version of this” or “this is the Swedish version of that.”  Welp it’s time to turn it around a bit.  This is the AMERICAN version of The Band of Bees.  The Band of Bees are a laid back Spanish group that goes out to left field and hangs out there for a couple of hours until it gets hungry and comes strolling back.  So Floating Action are like that, except these guys are from Black Mountain in the good ole USA.  Check out “50 Lashes.”

[audio:http://146.190.132.255/audio/FloatingAction_50Lashes.mp3]