“Unique” seems to be the only word that popped up in our minds upon discovering Public Access T.V., a Manhattan-based rock band that recently released an official music video for their latest single, “Metropolis”.
We first discovered the band through “Banana”, a British TV series created by Russell T Davies. Their song “Rebounder” was featured in one of the episodes, which immediately received positive reviews from critics due to its catchy lyrics and boppy beats.
The 4-piece rock band consists of lead vocalist/guitarist John Eatherly, lead guitarist/vocalist Xan Aird, bassist/vocalist Max Peebles, and drummer/vocalist Pete Star. Eatherly is the band’s frontman who dropped out of high school at the age of 17 to join the Nashville teenage punk band, “Be Your Own Pet”. BYOP broke up in 2008.
He then moved to New York City and began playing music as a touring musician/session player for various established musicians like Eleanor Friedberger, Smith Westerns, The Virgins, Chairlift, and others. However, the “boring and played out Manhattan music scene” became increasingly frustrating for him and eventually, he formed a new band called “Public Access T.V.” with Aird, Peebles, and Star.
Inspired by 70s punk and 90s Brit pop, the band released their first-ever track “Monaco” on Soundcloud in January 2014. The song received praises from various music publications including NME and Stereogum. The Guardian even ran a feature on them after they performed at The Great Escape festival and the London Calling festival last year.
On 21st April, the band released the music video for “Metropolis”, which was directed by Jason Miller.
The band didn’t strive to stand out with the video, but the song showcases their affinity with 70s pop rock or Britpop. The intro reminds us of The Strokes’ classic tune, but that was before it further lured us in with Eatherly’s voice and the supremely catchy lyrics. “And I don’t wanna live in California/ I’d take New York any day,” – there’s something about this part of the lyrics that gives off a really pleasant feeling too.
Listen to it below:
“Metropolis” will be included in their forthcoming debut EP, which will be released on 12th May via Terrible Records.
For more information, visit the band’s official website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
