LIBRARIANS WITH HICKEYS, having crawled from the wreckage of a post-industrial Akron, Ohio, decided to stick around and form a band. Because what else are you gonna do?
Digging deep into the wellspring of power pop for inspiration, with a shot of indie rock, they have released two singles in their narrative arc, with much more already in the wings. The most recent Big Stir Records release “Black Velvet Dress” b/w “Alex,” has received world-wide airplay and rave reviews, with both sides widely hailed as highlights of the Big Stir Singles: The Third Wave CD.
The band started off 2019 with their self-released debut single “Until There Was You” and “And Then She's Gone” which showcased the twin guitar jangle and chime of Ray Carmen (vocals, guitar) and Mike Crooker (guitar, vocals), the propulsive groove of Andrew Wilco (bass) and the rhythmic backbone of Rob Crossley (drums). The band is busily crafting their debut album (due in 2020 on Big Stir).
“For anyone out there who may still, for some unfathomable reason, question the power and the glory of the three-minute four-chord p-o-p song done right, “Black Velvet Dress” will in no way fail to raise you off your settee and shove things direct towards the nearest Volume UP knob,” opines Gary Pig Gold of The Rock and Roll Report. “Nostalgic? No. The word would be timeless.” We couldn't agree more, and for Librarians With Hickeys, that time is clearly now.
Band photo: Grace Carmen