Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
Chicago-based post-punk band the Detachment Kit comes to Olde Club this Friday night, bringing friends. These include the capable Swarthmoreans Israeli Warplane and Brooklyn-based The Hong Kong.
According to the avowedly apolitical Israeli Warplane’s website, tonight should be a “quasi-homecoming show…pretty much completely outstanding.” Although they have yet to “break” into college rock playlists just yet, judging by the “myspace.com” samples, it should not be long. A truly pop punk-rock band, they unsurprisingly rate …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead as a big influence. Song “JGAB” is an early stand-out, displaying a compelling experimentalism.
As for The Hong Kong, they are already old veterans in indie rock terms. Featured in a 2003 “Rolling Stone” blip as having “their finger on the pulse,” the band released “Rock These Faces” that same year to critical acclaim, becoming an almost instant local success. The sound is straightforward, influenced at times by early 60s girl group pop and maybe some new-wave as well.
Detachment Kit has an even longer history of taking names. Their 2002 release “They Raging Quiet Army” invaded the indie charts and even received some well-deserved airplay. The Kit now has a true following, even garnering favorable comparisons to label mates Les Savy Fav. The band provides a more metallic, jarring sound (think Fugazi) and a lead singer with some bright, believable energy. Together with Hong Kong and Israeli Warplane they present a formidable line-up and should be well worth braving the beautifully situated but seasonally chilly Olde Club tonight.
