Loki the Grump: Press

Michele Jaffe, the singer of Loki the Grump, sounds like she’s been scorned...a lot. Her lyrics are full of despair, being left behind, refusing to be left behind, and being content with it all.

The EP opens with "Brand New Me," a song that brings to mind older Green Day and other poppy bands. I love the verses!! Another one I like is "Here I Am," a psychotic song about refusing to let go of, or go away from, the one you love. There’s a live version of "Your War," giving me a hint of what they’d be like live - haunting and memorable.

I want to drive far away from here with this as my soundtrack!

Loki the Grump seem to already have gathered a good-sized following (which proudly bear themselves as the Grumpies), and have played at places such as CBGBs, the Knitting Factory, and Acme Underground. They plan to expand their tours soon so keep an eye open - I get the feeling this is one show you don’t wanna miss!

It’s not going to get much catchier or much more fun than this. Loki the Grump are a female fronted pop-punk band with a flavor of the past mixed with today’s teenie trends. This has attitude, but its cute attitude. You wouldn’t wage war to this CD, but you could certainly dance to it aggressively and enjoy it at the loudest level that your stereo can put out. It won’t be long before you are chanting along with some of the refrains and bouncing up and down in your boots. You can take pride in supporting a strong underground act like this, and they are doing everything to slam dance their way a butt-load of adoring fans.

[This appeared in two online zines]:

NYC’s Loki the Grump play a lo-fi, innocuously catchy version of punk rock judging by the quartet’s five-track sampling THE BRINK. Boasting a female singer who mixes the wares of a pre-tabloid Courtney Love, Shirley Manson, and Joan Jett, the rest of the band ventures off to The Damned by way of No Doubt realm, as songs like “Here I Am” is dark yet retains a pop punk edge throughout. But it’s on the last track “Your War”, taken from a live performance from Acme Underground, that captures the band at its grumpiest, complete with swirling guitars and a stiff shot of vocal angst.

3 out of 5 "bolts"

http://www.earcandymag.com/reviews42.htm
http://www.316productions.com/newsite/review.php?id=553

Love the band name and it’s fitting if you consider Michelle Jaffe (singer), Howie Ingeman (lead guitarist), Phil Pham (bass) and Dawn Moore (drummer) grumpy tricksters.

I got a chance to listen to their EP, The Brink (Jafzi Records) and there are some definite winners. “Brand New Me” is by far, the best track on the CD and brings to mind ‘80s new wave/alternative/goth ala Siouxsie and the Banshees, Romeo Void and Kim Wilde.

“How Could I Forget” features simple lyrics, jangly guitars and a catchy chorus. It’s a fun, danceable tune that’s more rock than punk, but no less the attitude.

Lead singer Michelle gets to invoke her inner rock goddess with “Shockingly Happy” which is played in true punk fashion -- short, loud and at breakneck speed. I can imagine Joan Jett in her prime or Amanda Palmer of Dresden Dolls singing “When I’m mad and sad…..YOU KNOW I’M REALLY GLAD.” It’s fun stuff that gets all the kiddies thrashing about.

I began with a mention of the best track on The Brink, which leads me to the worst track, “Your War.” While the message itself is crystal clear and well thought out, the delivery is a bit flat. Michelle’s voice is at its weakest, but the music is solid and overall it’s a good anti-war, protest song and I bet live, it kicks ass.


Be sure to catch them live at their next show on Thursday, December 1, 2005 at Ace of Clubs in New York City’s West Village. It’s the 4th Annual Girls Rock & Girls Rule showcase presented by Revolutionary Records. All proceeds go to the Voices of Women Organizing Project of the Battered Women’s Resource Center.

Melodic Angst

Loki the Grump are Michele (vox), Howie (guitar), Phil (Bass) and Dawn (Drums). The quartet is known for their punchy hooks, driving pulse and a strong female vocalist who brings it all together. Kind of like the lovechild of Black Flag and Poly Styrene. Michele's unique vocal stylings communicate anxiety, frustration, and abandonment with power and volume - which some would say a punk band really needs to be great.

Their 5-song EP, The Brink, is an energetic power-pop-punk ride that takes you by surprise. There is a strong retro-punk feel to The Brink; mixing genres and inspirations from X Ray Spex, Oingo Boingo, Siouxie, Vice Squad and early XTC. In fact, Kylie Buchanan on the Distant Warning boards likened Michele to Jello Biafra! Michele's vocals give the album a strangely fascinating sound which grows on you with each listen.

The band has gained a following and they were recently featured on Q104.3 / New York’s “Out of the Box” show with DJ Jonathan Clarke. A photo of the band appears in the 10 year anniversary collectors' issue, Issue 54, (Mar/Apr 2005) of ROCKRGRL Mag in association with the charity event Girls Rock & Girls Rule III, benefiting V.O.W., an arm of the Battered Women's Resource Center, organized by Gail Silverman. Give yourself an adrenaline-filled treat and check em' out live; you won't be sorry.

Get up, Get down, Get grumpy

Loki the Grump is not unlike a fine ale: smooth and refreshing with a bit of a kick. And surprisingly, not all that grumpy. Well, at least I wasn’t after experiencing their tunes for the first time.... The entire band often chimes in to shout the chorus, and who doesn’t love a good sing-along?.... Loki the Grump is definitely punk-rock, but not in the rip-your-eardrum-out-viciously-and-throw-it-up later type way. More in the oh-hey-this-is-different-and-doesn’t-sound-like-mass-produced-garbage-sorta way.

Loki the Grump’s first ever EP called “The Brink” is out now on Jafzi Records.... The first track, Brand New Me, begins simple enough. Basic chords that I pretended not to wrestle with when I wanted to be in a punk band in high school. Only, Loki somehow manages to turn a few chords into a fun song that’s bound to get stuck in your head for a least a few hours. Brilliant. “How Could I Forget?” will remind you of all your failed relationships and your best friend’s boyfriend whom you hate. Everybody loves abuse, kids. “Shockingly Happy” has a tune that, for whatever reason, conjures up images of Poly Styrene in my head. Perhaps her and Michele are related? “Here I Am” is the power ballad of the group. The song goes from slow and foreboding to screamy and gritty, and then it’s over before you know what hit you. The final song, “Your War”, is the only quasi-political song on the EP. This is the live version, and it’s full of Tom Moreno-esque guitar effects. “I won’t pledge allegiance to your WAR!” Right on, sista....

So, there you have it. Are you ready to get grumpy?

LOKI THE GRUMP is today's "in yer face" boot stomping punk! …The band works together to suck you into the vertigo of their grumpiness; you cannot turn away, and you happily submit! Like a rash that stubbornly resists cortisone, LOKI THE GRUMP elbows their way into your heart… This is music to get a speeding ticket to, to push and shove people to, to throw your ex's stuff out the window to…. "Brand New Me" is destined to kick and scream its way into mainstream radio... "The Brink" is a delightful grouchfest of pangful soul-bearing words and sounds. The songs are well written and an apropos mirror of this generation's struggle with the mind games that seem to go along with the quest for love. Anxiety, frustration, abandonment are all heightened by the musicianship which is punchy, infected by frisky hooks and driving pulse… Production is raw, naked, simple, LOUD - like back when Billy Idol was in Generation X, and before Green Day's greatest hits album. A nicely solid freshman effort, we can expect greater things from this already impish, wickedly entertaining gang. LOKI THE GRUMP is the itch you will love to scratch. Repeatedly.

(Translated from Serbian):
“Another issue from "Jafzi Entertainment" label is an EP of the group…Loki The Grump. It is interesting that the main inspiration of the band's music comes out from the British new wave. We could find influences from… X Ray Spex, Hazel O' Conor, Toyah, and also from the more poppy oriented performers, Holy and the Italians. The female singer creates a specific performing energy and the band, in a positive way, follows the direction of the aforementioned period… their sound is also urban and modern. Two songs stick out as more attractive and inspiring: "Brand New Me" and "Here I Am". And in "translation" - this is quite a good issue for their discography beginnings, and a recommendable piece of music for all new wave and post new wave freaks.”

Loki The Grump - Live @ Acme Underground 10-02-04

"Hmmm... I like this. As the music starts, there's a huge crunchy punk sound that comes flying out. Then, as the vocals kick in you get a rather pleasant surprise. Instead of the usual weak talentless female punk singer, you get a strong voice, full of character! … I love how the singers voice is so damn strong, it gives the music that much needed kick away from the usual punk sound. Such character. It's like a female Jello Biafra. Amazing!"