Who? Scissors for Lefty is a four (or five) piece out of San Francisco comprised of two sets of brothers. Bryan Garza sings, while Robby plays bass and guitar. The Krimmel brothers make up the other half, with James on drums and bass, and Peter on keyboard and guitar. Signed to Rough Trade in the U.K., they released sophomore effort Underhanded Romance there in October (after 2005’s Bruno), but their eponymous four-song EP is now available in the U.S. on Pepper Street Music. Third Garza Steven will join them in 2007.
What’s the Deal? “We were the kids that caused the commotion,” Garza sings on “Inevitable Thieves,” and though there’s no telling what he’s talking about specifically, it could be the band’s attitude toward genre. A Beck-style eclecticism permeates the EP: “Lay Down Your Weapons” sounds like the Walkmen’s Hamilton Leithauser fronting the Faint; “Mama Your Boys Will Find a Home” utilizes voice as much for sound effects as lyrics; and “Ghetto Ways” combines sexy, slurred new wave vocals with a backing track that wouldn’t seem out of place as Borat theme music.
Fun Fact: According to their biography on their website, some of the Krimmels earliest musical forays came in the form of learning Beatles songs in alphabetical order, as they played guitar along with a taped “Beatles A to Z” radio program, and participating in village sing-alongs in Borneo, where their mother was a pop singer. JEFFREY PARKER
Now Hear This: Scissors for Lefty – “Ghetto Ways” DOWNLOAD MP3
Talk: Fancy trying it Lefty? COMMENT
On SPIN.com: Shiny Toy Guns Ring in New Year
On the Web: scissorsforlefty.com
