Xuk Indie Rock Band from North Hollywood, CA

XUK's music has been described as "a velvet sonic assault with a cricket bat and a heart"! This Los Angeles-based British band of guitars, bass, drums and viola makes classic, yet uniquely original music. The very English on-stage presentation can be summed up as "infectious fun". Formed in 2003 in Los Angeles, California, XUK is a four piece rock band comprising of guitar, viola, bass and drums. The band's debut album features multi-layered violas in a classic rock setting. XUK's music is instantly familiar, with traces of the Great British rock acts of the 70's, 80's and 90's, yet it's firmly rooted in today's acoustic alternative rock sensibilities. Samples of their music are available here and on their official website Here's a customer review of the band's debut album: David Bowie is good company to strive for and in 'Janine' Simon and the crew of XUK not only blow the original away, but in honest retrospective show that the cover is one of the weakest tracks on the first 'side' of the album. Not because it is in itself weak, but because the original works with telling lyrics written by Simon Holden, are that much more powerful and dynamic than might be expected in a DIY effort. The music itself, speaking of dynamic, makes you believe in classical string instruments again if you've been losing faith. Violas are made to soar in rock arrangements in a refreshing revealing of the player's emotions and love for what they do... and that is really what is at the heart of this double album's success (and I do call it a blazing success)... not for a moment do you believe that any less then their best and more driven effort was poured into each and every song. With stand outs like "Unzip" and "New Way" opening the first side, songs that should soon be playing on college radio stations across the country, and national/local radio stations a few days later. Then there are songs like "Crashing in a Jet", quirky songs that still despite their lyrics that almost dare the listener to fall out of the trance caused by the in depth lyrics of all the songs up to that point... then you really listen to the song and realize that it's point is just as valid and 'important' to XUK as any other. It is important, too. This album needs a label, indy or otherwise. This album needs to be heard by the masses, so fans... spread the word. XUK's live set up is sometime augmented by either backing tracks or additional live string players (violas and cellos). The aim is to give a truly full performance that treats the audience to an expanded musical experience. The band's recorded work is the basis for the live sound, yet they do not adhere slavishly to their recorded versions, allowing themselves the freedom to explore different arrangements and feels. Sometimes throwing in a surprising cover version (the band's debut album included Bowie's "Janine" and Cat Stevens' "Wild World", the band can be relied on to keep audiences captivated and entertained.