First Sight: Male Bonding

Who are they? New signings to Sub Pop, a trio – John Arthur Webb (guitars, vocals), Kevin Hendrick (bass, vocals) and Robin Silas Christian (drums) – whose full-pelt, subterranean punk-pop harbours charmingly bruised and poignant melodies. "Tinnitus, with hooks," is how they describe it. Sub Pop? So they're Americans, right? Wrong. A rare UK signing for the legendary Seattle label that gave us grunge, Male Bonding hail from London – they're alumni of home-grown noiseniks Todd, Pre and Seafood – though, admittedly, their hurtling tuneage has more in common with contemporary US underground kids No Age, Times New Viking and the Vivian Girls (who guest on their debut album) than, say, Mumford & Sons. Their name sounds a bit "grrr"… While they covered You Hate Me and I Hate You for Violent And Obscene, a 7-in tribute to moronic hate-rock legend GG Allin, Male Bonding's punk-rock winningly eschews testosterone-fuelled machismo for a blend of revving noise and tuneful vulnerability that would do the Buzzcocks proud. They lifted their name from an early incarnation of Sonic Youth, whose detuned, eardrum-frying din is a clear influence. So where can we hear them? They are touring the UK throughout May and early June. Their debut album, Nothing Hurts, is released on May 10; you can hear a couple of tracks at www.myspace.com/malebonding, along with their cool cover of Flipper's Ever. Stevie Chick