Merchandise
Dave Vassalotti: Guitar
Patrick Brady: Bass
“Best New Track for both ‘Time’ & ‘Anxiety Doors’“ -Pitchfork
“Listed in Stereogum’s 40 Best New Bands Of 2012” -Stereogum
Merchandise is a psychedelic, post-punk trio from Tampa, FL. Driven by catchy guitar riffs, icy drum machines and haunted, Morrissey-esque crooning from vocalist Carson Cox, the band is equal parts New Order and Nick Cave. Merchandise is more than just an edgy sound though. Underneath all of the sheen are brilliantly-written pop songs, filled with memorable hooks and melodies, “Time” and “Become What You Are” the most immediate of the bunch. Cox, the vocalist, has the charisma of enigmatic front men like Ian Curtis and John Lydon. Their 2012 album, Children of Desire, has been highly regarded and made the list of many Top Albums if the year. They’ve been working on an EP, Totale Nite, that will be released in the spring. A cutting-edge sound and a compelling live performance surely make Merchandise one of the can’t-miss acts of the festival.
Stereogum brought Merchandise to Los Angeles as part of SPIN Music Group’s Unmuted series: