The War on Drugs
  • David Hartley
  • The War on Drugs

Another week, another Mercury music section to ignore as you reel in confusion about all these pop stars changing their names. First Snoop Dogg becomes Snoop Lion, and now Lily Allen too? Oh wait. She got married. I guess that's a little different.

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Pickathon starts tomorrow. We've been blabbing about it on the blog all week. For more blab, check out the cover story on the fest. There are a TON of great bands playing this year, including Philadelphia's the War on Drugs, seen above in much cooler climes that this very hot weekend will prove be. Here's a tune from 2008's Wagonwheel Blues, an album I still play all the damn time. I can't say for sure if this song will be in any of their setlists this weekend, but here's hoping.
LISTEN:

The War on Drugs - "Buenos Aires Beach"

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Claudia Meza talks about her new band, Stay Calm, and the breakup of her old band, Explode into Colors. With Stay Calm, she initially wanted a "hiphop My Bloody Valentine." That's not exactly what happened, but the results are great nonetheless.

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The members of the Hague came from lots other Portland bands. Their collective sound incorporates all that came before, resulting in something new and not easily pigeonholed.
LISTEN:

The Hague - "Everyone"

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And a jumbo pack of Up & Coming shows.