I’ve been meaning to check out Australian trio The Grates‘ ep since I saw them open for The Go! Team back in November. The Grates weren’t the most technically perfect band ever, but what they lacked in skill, they more than made up in enthusiasm. And really they were everything I could ever want from an opening band. Plus, they had Boston dancing - the audience seemed to have no complaints.

The Grates biggest problem will be the Yeah Yeah Yeah comparisons - which isn’t probably a real problem. It will be hard to leave that shadow though. They most obvious is they’re both trios creating short little stripped down songs. Plus, singer Patience could perhaps be Karen O’s manic sister. They’re totally on the same wavelength as far as stage personas go - but I imagine that in Junior High School Karen O was all about drawing skulls and crossbones on her notebooks while Patience was drawing daisies and hearts. Even so they would have been BFFs.

The Grates’ debut ep, The Ouch. The Touch., came out in the US in August. No reason not to buy it now. Full length in the works.

Listen: The Grates - “Message” (mp3)

Purchase: Amazon

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