The Bug Pedals make me happy. Happy because, not only are they a great band, but they remind me of so many of the things I love about indie rock. Led by husband-and-wife team, Dennis and Ledja, this trio embraces the DYI ethic on their self-recorded six-song EP, I Found My Own Slug.
Something tugs at my heartstrings whenever I hear home recordings done on a 4-track, especially when the minimalist recordings take nothing away from the music.
The Bug Pedals’ songs are simple and familiar, but leave you wanting more -- a difficult task that the Bug Pedals pull off effortlessly. “Sentuam” features layered distorted guitars and mellow vocals, reminiscent of Jesus & Mary Chain, but at a less ear-deafening level.
A favorite of mine is the simply titled, “I Don’t Like You”, which features droney guitars and drums that sound like heavy footsteps with yells of "I don't like you!" heard in the backroom. So simple, yet so addictive.
Other songs, such as “La De Da”, bring to mind early Nirvana (yes, I do mean Bleach-era) with pop-like chord changes that come off as edgy and pointed. Overall, The Bug Pedals’ sound is reminiscent of the music that came out of Olympia during the early ‘90s?clever pop songs fueled by thick guitars and pounding drums. I love almost anything that recalls early ‘90s indie rock so, in my eyes, you can’t ask for a whole lot more.
