Who? Montreal's Mount Royal hasn't been active for 125 million years, but a different 'Volcano' looks to erupt in Eastern Canada. The white-hot emissions are emanating from Hot Springs, a shimmering female-fronted rock powder-keg. Standout vocalist Giselle Webber has been screaming and howling her way through punk bands since age 13, and she's aptly joined here by Rémy Nadeau-Aubin on guitar, Fréderic Sauve on bass and Anne Gauthier on drums. Debut album Volcano is currently out now via the Quire label. Playing CMJ Friday (Oct. 19) at Midway at 7 P.M.
What's the Deal? Like a summertime moped ride on Quebec's dirty back roads, Hot Springs barrels down the path of contemporary rock like the Geraldine Fibbers on speed. Volcano's firecracker single, "Headrush," sounds like '70s-era Heart, while "Pink Money" teases with the confidence of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Webber's bilingual vocals, often eerily reminiscent of Catatonia's Cerys Matthews, provide a strong fluctuating dynamic fit for the buzzsaw guitar work of Nadeu-Aubin. When revved, Volcano is a blistering cat-club throw down, but its ethereal softer sides ("Annimystique") offer sincerity for when the lights come up.
Fun Fact: Drummer Anne Gauthier and guitarist Rémy Nadeau-Aubin are star siblings. Both were born on July 31, 1980.
Now Hear This:
Hot Springs - "Head Rush" DOWNLOAD MP3
On the Web:
Hot Springs at MySpace
hot-springs.ca
Talk: Will Hot Springs erupt like a Volcano?
