EARWIG There's a new sensation. Listen closely, under the radio static, and you may hear the hum of what is yet to come. It's the sound of that rare band, so important that the whole world needs to know them. Their music is stripped down and raw, cast with a voice that is smart and powerfully compelling. And they've just released one of the best indie-rock records of the last decade. But you've never heard it. No one has. The band is Earwig and they are leading an underground revolution that doesn't exist. Yet. Earwig has been struggling in the underground scene for long enough to know better than to hope for some sort of mainstream success in the music business. The idea of “making it” is all an obvious sham at this point. It's a dream that's been broken, a heart that's been busted too many times. Yet, despite all of this, Earwig is producing the best work of their career. Continuing to put out all of their music on their own micro indie label (LFM Records), the Columbus band has three studio albums. The latest, Center Of The Earth, is a rich and varied album that leaves the rest of the current alt. rock class high and dry, sucking for air. At Center Of The Earth's core is a trio that writes superbly crafted, taut, three-minute rock songs. Lots of bands write such songs, but few are written that anyone wants to hear more than once. Few are written with such an appealing edge. The rhythm section packs a wallop and swings like a monster. Singer Lizard McGee's voice delivers lyrics that avoid cliches. His strings of words are of the smart, multi-layered variety that rewards listeners. Among the gorgeously constructed songs and guitars strummed to the beat of a broken heart, the focus often drifts back to a place of obvious importance to these guys. Their home, Ohio. To many, Ohio may seem as nothing more than a flat; cow filled, farmland diversion on cross-country fly-overs from one coast to the other. But dig a little deeper and things get curious. In smaller circles Ohio is known for its wealth of haunted folklore and a tendency towards clandestine extraterrestrial activity. Ohio is plenty weird. On ‘Center Of The Earth' songwriter/guitarist Lizard McGee mines these fertile mid-western lands for tales of the paranormal, transmissions from the unknown, witch hunts, sleeping insects and lost love, then wraps them in undeniably catchy, crunchy guitar-pop. All the while keeping it personal. It's a hard job to pull off well, but McGee's writing and the band's performances are top notch and well up to the task. Earwig is a smart mid-western three piece that works the space between studied lo-fi ineptitude and infectious pop hookery, excelling at undermining the notion of “accomplishment” in an incredibly accomplished manner. While their previous releases landed on many critics best-of lists, the band has come short of that breakout success that would make them a household name. They remain the underdog, unable to break through the music industry noise floor. But by staying true to their DIY ethic, the band has become a beacon for real music lovers everywhere. Known for great songwriting and remembered for their spontaneous and reckless live shows, Earwig has long been one of independent music's best kept secrets. They should be the Next Big Thing. But they are the polar opposite of the latest, warmed-over big city hype. They are the Anti-Next Big Thing. This experience is real. Here it is, you've found it. Now go and forget about it. EPK Click here. LINKS Official Site LFM Records My Space BOOKING CONTACT Brian Ostrander - brian@insomniacbooking.com