The Clientele @ Bowery Ballroom, Fri 6/8

Usually I adhere pretty closely to the old piece of wisdom that says: if you’re in a band, and you sound at all like the Monkees, it’s probably about time to hang up the old tambourine.

Enter The Clientele. These cheery British balladeers, who may evoke a little Davy Jones from time to time, do it only in the most tasteful and unapologetic of ways. Blending pure pop with more than a touch of the psychedelic, The Clientele are a blast from the past and a breath of fresh air all at once. There’s no pretension here, and the lack of angst is as refreshing as you'd think it would be.

Wistful, sincere, and definitely cheesy- The Clientele do it all, and while they may not become your favorite band of the year (although they just might), these indie vets have a style not often heard these days, and are definitely a great act to catch live. Tickets are only $15, so start your weekend off with a little British invasion and you’ll be feeling groovy before you can say bloody fantastic. Myspace | Website

The Clientele @ The Knitting Factory - $14 – Tuesday 9/5

Where are those dreamy vibes flowing up from under the sea coming from? The word is starting to spread about this London-based indie group whose reverb-enhanced vocals and enchanting riffs are already making their way across the country. Since teaming up with Merge and labelmates Arcade Fire and Camera Obscura, The Clientele has released “Strange Geometry,” along with another album scheduled to drop in the near future. If you haven’t caught them already, take this opportunity to escape into an "Octopus’s Garden" on their latest nationwide tour.

Website Myspace Venue Download BuyCD Bid