Ever since posting last weeks Friday Fix, I’ve been on a bit of a nostalgic kick, listening to some old favorites. So, that explains the older songs in this weeks fix. The other stuff, well, I hope you enjoy! This weeks Friday Fix is coming from all over the place, so look out. ;)

Saint Etienne – Stormtrooper in Drag (1997, UK) Off of my one of my all time favorite tribute albums of all time, Saint Etienne covers for us “Stormtrooper in Drag” by Gary Numan. I totally love the vocals that Sarah Cracknell contributes to this song, as much as love the Moog and other synth backing her up. Saint Etienne is an Indie pop/dance/techno group originally from Croyden, UK. This cover can be found on “Random”, a 2 CD album full of awesome Numan covers. Let us not forget about Gary Numan, one of the forefathers of electronic music. This guy was writing awesome stuff way back in the late 70s and is still releasing great albums, including a new one later this year, “Splinter”.

The Voyeurs – Things People Say (2009, Highland Park, CA) Restyling a familiar sound previously heard from “Franz Ferdinand” and other bands, “The Voyeurs” released their latest album “Well Known Drag” just a few days ago.

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – Down In Front (2008, Los Angeles, CA) Sappy. Poppy. Whatever. This is yet another example of fine electronic music here. Perhaps you remember “The MOOG Cookbook”, or “Jellyfish”? Well this guy was in both, contributing to both the synth and drum machine for both. There are a number of other bands he’s belonged to as well (Imperial Drag, TV Eyes, Beatnik Beatch). You can find this song on his second solo album “Catnip Dynamite”, released in 2008.

Marnie Stern – Ruler (2008, New York City) I’ll admit. At first, I really didn’t much dig this song, but much like the cold I’m still fighting off, it’s infectious and has grown on me. Unlike that, I have grown to appreciate this song a good deal. If you dig it, you can find it on her latest album, which sports one of the longest titles I’ve heard of in a while “This Is It And I Am It And You Are It And So Is That And He Is It And She Is It And It Is It And That Is That”.

The Bird and The Bee – My Love (2009, Los Angeles, CA) I’m a sucker for a good refrain, and this song is a prime example of this. Inara George voice just makes my full body shiver when the harmonies all kick in there. Released on “Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future”, this is not their first album. Make sure to check out their debut EP “Again and Again and Again and Again” and 2007s self titled album.

Beirut – My Night with the Prostitute from Marseille (2009, Brooklyn, New York) There is just something sad about the vocals of Zach Condon that really lends itself to the lyrics of this song. Beirut is one of those bands that is really underestimated (IMHO). With three really solid albums and several EPs, this band is definitely worth investigating. You can find this track on their latest double disc EP, “March of the Zapotec and Realpeople Holland”.

Well, I’m back from FC and have come down with a pretty nasty cold. Blegh. However, welcome to all the new readers that might have seen/taken our adverts left about the con :) If you did color in one of the posters, feel free to mail them to us, perhaps you’ll win something *winks* At any rate, leave a comment, or give us an email!

Anyways, on with the tunes!

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Young Adult Friction (2009, NYC) I only just heard this band this morning and am totally in love with it. Perhaps along with “Cut off Your Hands”, these two bands hold a lot of promise for great full length releases so early on in the year. With a hint of 80s new-wave sound (think: The Smiths meet The Psychedelic Furs) that I really dig. The catch? I’ve gotta wait until February! D’oh!

Cut Off Your Hands – Happy as Can Be (2008, Auckland, New Zealand) Another promising band for 2009, this NZ released their debut album, “You & I, in October last year. This band also seems to have a hint of Morrisey at times with the vocal stylings, therefor, I’m immediately drawn to them. This song is quite enjoyable, as is the other I’ve gotten to hear off of it, “Turn Cold”. Nom <3

Boy Crisis – Dressed to Digress (2008, Brooklyn, New York) I can’t dig up too much on this band. Seems the formed in 2008, and haven’t released terribly much. This song can be found on their Demo album, and the only other material that I can find that they’ve released is a 2-song single called “L’homme”.

Fiction Family – When She’s Near (2009, ???, California) Another new band from parts unknown in California, Fiction Family reminds me a lot of the poppy works by groups like XTC and Haircut 100. (*laughs* Am I really dating myself in this post by referencing all these 80s bands? ;) ) Can’t wait to hear more stuff by these guys!

Kyle Andrews – Sushi (2008) Another great song released late last year, Kyle Andrews (and the rest of his band) bring us this wonderful, poppy little electric, love fest. Keep up the great stuff guys, I can’t wait to pick up your latest album “Real Blasty”.