When I interviewed the guys from Tendaberry back in the Summer of 2009 something was bugging them. Even with a newly christened black president in office the band lamented the public’s assumed sentiment that rock music is and forever will be a ‘white thing.’ Enter 2011, the world is on the brink, literally. It’s never been more apparent that amalgamation is the name of the game. Music, like all forms of contemporary art, is leaning toward a more collage style. For the most part strict adherence to genre and style is gone. Now is the perfect time for a band like Tendaberry to cross borders and their new EP Hit It! serves not only as a staunch sign of the times but the perfect summer soundtrack for every indie darling.

Hit It! begins with “Good Night,” a track that starts off slow like honey with a smooth doo-wop style intro by lead singer Johnathan Merenivitch. The quiet moment is short lived as the track convulses into post punk magic with bleeding guitars, crashing drums, solos and lyrics that are never overdone but always poignant. This segues into the second track, kudos to the band for having one of the best song titles of the year with “Post Modern Pop Song.”

After the party there is always the self-reflection. The third track “Hater” serves this purpose. A somber acoustic guitar lead track finds Johnathan singing lyrics like “I am a hater, and If I seem a little unsure of myself, I didn’t mean to offend.” This would be Kanye’s new anthem or sample in a new single if he heard it. This track finds the charasmatic lead singer Jonathan Merenivitch makin a stand out performance like a respectable lead singer should. Think more Gwen Stefani in No Doubt than Beyonce in Destiny’s child. ‘

Tendaberry’s sound is a musical collage of punk and soul that’s hard to classify. It’s as much hip-hop as it is punk. You just have to hear it. Take a gander at their screaming covers of tracks by Ghostface Killah, Kanye West, Buzzcock and R.E.M. and what becomes evident is this is no identity crisis. Tendaberry is not one of those “genre bending” artists. This is and always has been Tendaberry’s sound. The band has created an ultimate blend of hip-hop and punk. There are shades of Elvis Costello, a more punk version of Prince all of this backed by the upper charismatic frontman Johnathan and point blank Tendberry is ill. Before you know it, Hit It!is over. And I’m already wanting more.

Catch Tendaberry performing live at Star Bar in Atlanta tonight alongside Jack Preston and The Gun Party. The show is free and doors open at 9 PM.

Download: Tendaberry – Hit It!

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