Indie rockers Raccoon Fighter are set to hit the stage at Cake Shop for a 2 day residency dubbed "Summer Soulstice" that begins this Thursday, 6.20. Formed in 2010, the Brooklyn-based trio is propelled by a raw yet coercing sound that we experienced and enjoyed live in more than one occasion. Their songs range anywhere from Nirvana-esque grungy material to underground Indie fusion to upbeat, alternative rock, making for an entertaining and versatile listen. Mount Carmel, The Teen Age, and Punks On Mars will open for them on the 20th and The Denzels, Aloud, and Dead Stars on the 21st. Listen to the song “Dear Big City” below and check them out at the Cake Shop this week! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)We added this song to The Deli's playlist of Best Alt Rock songs by emerging NYC artists - check it out!

The entire universe often wonders what the difference is between Alt Rock and Indie Rock. Here at The Deli we call "Alt" that kind of Rock music that's inspired to a more classic concept of Rock'n'Roll or Pop-Rock, or any rock genre that was commercially successful before the aughts - think about bands reminiscent of anything from Led Zeppeling to Aerosmith, Weezer or Nirvana. While Indie Rock tends to be a little more experimental and dark, Alt Rock is (at least in our vocabulary) more traditional and a little more accessible - without being just "pop".

Total submissions in this category: 38

Artists Qualified to the Poll's Next Stage (starting around 01.15):

1. Apollo Run - 7.66 (out of 10)
2. BLACK TAXI - 7.33

Honorable Mentions (scores above 6.5):

Outernational, Late Cambrian, Viva Mayday, Wyldlife, Only Living Boy, Von Shakes, Raccoon Fighter, The Clox, Noble Hunter.

Jurors: Michelle Turner (Deli Nashville), Brandi Lukas (Deli Contributor), QD Tran (Deli Philly) 

The Deli's Staff

Courtesy of Raccoon Fighters, here comes raw rock and roll repackaged for the post-everything generation - exploring 60s garage, blues rock, grunge sounds in a manner that stands at reasonable distance from faithful revivalism and anything formulaic. How? Complete incoherence and a soft contemporary frame. They’ve well-understood that it isn’t one particular aesthetic we’re after but an energy altogether. Those who are expecting monster rock are at the wrong door, but for the others, a tasty mouthful of dirt is awaiting - at The Knit on November 7th. - TM

DETAILS ABOUT THIS SHOW & STREAMING COMPILATION OF ALL FEATURED BANDS HERE 

For Wednesday's Deli CMJ showcase at Spike Hill, expect a sweet crescendo from the sprightliest to the raunchiest of our pop/rock picks. Headlining the first half of the evening, featuring five of the city's upcoming Indie Pop artists, we're offering you the eccentricities of Eytan & The Embassy and the passionate ballads of duo The Last Royals, whose debut album is on the way. These two will be joined by Flying Points, a new record on the way, who will be opening show, followed by Fast Years, whose latest music video you should definitely be checking out if you haven't already, and the only solo artist of the lot, Ace Reporter.

Subtle transition into the second part of the night, Motive will be the first headliner of our Alt Rock stage, opening the dance with their delectable indie rock before co-headlining cock-rock outfit Mother Feather comes to take over with its flamboyant tease of an act, heating the crowds up for the last two bands of the evening. Next up will be self-dubbed 'weird rock' troubadours New Beard, and to conclude the night, you'll be entertained by the contemporary intepretations of back-to-basics rock&roll formulas served up by Raccoon Fighter. - In the pictures: Eytan & the Embassy and Mother Feather.

Brooklyn's Cameo Gallery is hosting a garage-rock lover's wet dream on Saturday, May 5th. Headliners, Wild Yaks bring their cheerfully haphazard, loud rock and unified choruses to the stage. Once already lovingly referred to as "Brooklyn's drunk folk-punk icons" by The Deli, their live performances are a guaranteed good time regardless of whether or not you're familiar with their tunes - check out a recent video here.
Raccoon Fighter pave the way for the Yaks, with their rockin', seductive garage jams. their big, raw sound and powerful guitars are soulful and even bluesy when combined with their emotive vocals - here's a video from last year.
Self-proclaimed "American dance-punk band", The Toothaches will open the night with a lively set including multi-part harmonies and undeniably fun, catchy pop songs. Members often perform in costume and/or without face paint. Also on the bill Boston's Girlfriends. Since we covered Wild Yaks and Raccoon Fighter quite a bit in the past, we are giving picture and streaming tune to The Toothaches. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli's NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building.