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KOOPA - THE THREE IN A BED WITH BOBBY GEORGE EP
JUXTAPOSITION RECORDS
Blag, Steal & Borrow
Erin's Main Obsession
Pop Rock Factory
How True
Unique
Despite the best efforts of the likes of Busted and McFly in recent years to take punk-pop and spew it into a meaningless cash cow of manufactured and soul destroying drivel, it's refreshing to see bands out there still doing it with attitude and style. On the surface, Essex three-piece Koopa aren't doing anything radically different or fresh; there's nothing here that's going to push things forward or break new ground; originality and innovation don't seem to be that high on the agenda here. It's only when the songs hit you and you get that wide eyed grin spreading all over your face that Koopa start to make sense, these are songs with pop hooks so big they threaten to block out the sun, the likes of BLAG, STEAL & BORROW and POP ROCK FACTORY providing a sugar pop rush that manages to deftly combine all the best bits from Green Day, Blink 182, NOFX and the Banana Splits.
Sure, Koopa aren't offering anything remotely new or fresh here with their THE THREE IN A BED WITH BOBBY GEORGE EP, but for ultra melodic punk pop thrills; Koopa are a band who demand your attention.
BIOGRAPHY
Koopa are a 3 piece band from Essex whose sharp, witty and gifted British pop-punk is a timely reminder that home-grown talent is here, and here in abundance.
With an ever-expanding audience to perform to, Koopa's loud and fast tunes are catchy and upbeat and their lyrics are sung in their own unique English (well... Essex!) accents. Influenced by American music (Blink 182, NOFX, The Offspring) but more than aware of their roots, they create a cross-Atlantic sound which is commercial and anthemic with being too saccharine sweet. POP ROCK FACTORY addresses the whole manufactured band argument in a none-too-serious way, distorted guitars and upbeat melodies.
Listen to Koopa and you realise that this is not that watered-down, manufactured punk designed to impress your younger brother, little sister and please your parents. Singing about their own experiences, including broken homes, getting lost in various parts of Europe and even the infamous Essex girls, Koopa have found a world of followers who relate to the band's music and lyrics. These people just want to have a laugh, jump around and sing along.
They've had two self released singles reach the Top 75, been featured on a football compilation CD (Yes, Koopa did a World Cup single!) that sold over 100,000 copies and earnt the band a gold disc to boot. They're also one of the hardest working young guitar bands around, having played over 200 shows in just three years.
They've got a good run in celebrity fans as well. From Chris Moyles (who's played the band on his show) to bizarrely, Boris Johnson, the Koopa sound is clearly an infectious one. Enlisting the legendary darts bruiser Bobby George to pout it up for their EP cover, here's a band that don't take themselves seriously, but take their music and their desire to entertain as seriously as possible.
LINE UP
DISCOGRAPHY
THE THREE IN A BED WITH BOBBY GEORGE EP (Juxtaposition Records>2006)
Blag, Steal & Borrow
Erin's Main Obsession
Pop Rock Factory
How True
Unique
LINKS
Koopa>www.koopatheband.com
FURTHER LISTENING
Green Day
NOFX
Orange 9mm
Review date: January 2007 |
