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Zykos

Who? Hailing from Austin, these indie rock scenesters — Mike Booher (vocals/guitar), Catherine Davis (keyboards/vocals), Alex Lyon (guitar), Mike Roeder (bass), and Cully Symington (drums) — have released two records under the Chapel Hill, NC label, Post Parlo Records, since their 2003 inception. Returning from a brief hiatus with a retooled, bigger rock sound and a larger vocal role for Davis, Zykos are angling for a new record deal and big ol’ Texas love nationwide in 2007.

What’s the Deal? Demos from an unnamed third album, currently being produced by Mike McCarthy (Spoon, …Trail of Dead, Patty Griffin), bear echoes to those Austin hall-of-famers. The pop jangle of “Autographin’ Bibles” leans on Booher’s quirky falsetto for a carefree, toe-tapping gem, but moments of grandeur are more common. From the gang vocals on the call-and-response anthem “Wipeout” and the guitar-driven jubilee of “Race Rabbit” to the strained melodies of “In Yer Blood,” Zykos’ rock’n’roll hootenanny is here to stay.

Fun Fact: Guitarist Alex Lyon engineered Calla’s 2007 opus, Strength in Numbers. Drummer Cully Symington is also a member of the noisy Austin band, 1986, and has toured with Bishop Allen. AMOS BARSHAD

Now Hear This: Zykos – “Autographin’ Bibles” DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web: Zykos at myspace.com

Talk: Will Zykos be Austin’s next big thing?