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There is no way you can listen to "Living on the Guest List" and not get caught up in the upbeat, indie pop feel of the song. It is an incredible single and if I had the money and means to double sign "Captain Phoenix" and start international promotions I would, because I know they wouldn't let me down. They are a hidden gem in the music world that really should be shared.

Two songs were released at the end of April and you can buy them both on iTunes and at their store. I am lucky enough to have had a sneak peak/listen since early April thanks to he-who-shall-not-be-named at Kind Canyon Records for being so awesome! And I cannot tell you enough just how much they rock, I almost feel guilty that I've been enjoying for so long! If you like old-school Maroon 5, Switchfoot, Death Cab for Cutie, My Chemical Romance...then I assure you Captain Phoenix will become your new favorite.

Now it is finally time to share! I have anticipated writing this review for nearly a month!

Meet Nick Hill, Luke Keyte, Ben Burrows and Ross Curnow from London in the UK. Having started singing Green Day covers, please let me me the first to say they have come a very long way and I'd see them live over Green Day in a second. Don't think I'm just being kind, I really do love these guys.

Captain Phoenix is going to be the sell-out band touring the world very soon. My spidey sense tells me so as do my tapping toes, bobbing head and swaying shoulders. I cannot listen to their music without moving, it's incredible.

To further prove how cool they are, they let me ask some questions.

1. I always like to find out why bands have chosen their name, so why Captain Phoenix?

We've had the name for a couple of years and thought it sounded like a classic superhero character. The sort of guy who'd be the star of your favourite comic when you were a kid.

2. And I've got to ask Nick..."shmoozle" what does it mean? I know when I say "aww meck" it means "aw man and aw heck" I'm full of ridiculous Christy-isms. (He says shmoozle in a blog entry: http://blog.captainphoenix.com/blog/_archives/2007/3/13/2801903.html)

Christy, shmoozle's one of my Nick-isms, and means just cruising on down somewhere for a cool night out with good friends, no pressures, lots of anticipation about the fun ahead. My nick name's not "funclub" for nothing!!

3. Do you write all of your own songs? What inspires them?

Yep, all the songs are ours. They always start with a musical idea from Ben, which just fits the mood of an experience he's had, and a few key lines of lyric that float around his head. Inspiration comes from situations and relationships, all the things that ignite your senses and emotions.

4. Lastly, if you could choose any artist to collaborate with, who would it be and why?

We've got some artists we all admire though we'd need a time machine to be able to work with some of them! Right now, The Cardigans and Kings Of Leon would be incredible to be around. Supergrass would always be totally inspiring for us. Step into the time machine and we'd be working with Jeff Buckley and Led Zep of course. There's so many great new breaking British acts that we love too; Kid Harpoon, Jack Penate, Laura Marling - all totally inspiring in what they do.

The best part of this is that they are this good while being so young. It just blows my mind to know that kind of talent and sound can come from four guys who are all in their early 20s or younger. Makes me feel a little like Mrs. Robinson or maybe her niece haha...since I think they all rock!

Seriously, the electrifying guitar riffs, the beat, the voice it's just surreal. It's wonderful to find yourself in a bit of a music lull and then to be pulled out of that lull with such intensity. Captain Phoenix really reminds you what great music is supposed to be.

Take a listen:
Captian Phoenix - "Living on the Guestlist" (mp3)

Labels: music