NYC Scene Report – Beechwood, Jeremy & The Harlequins, & more

This week’s NYC Scene Report features a retro rock n roll tune from Beechwood, a Roy Orbison inspired cover of a Madonna classic from indie rockers Jeremy & The Harlequins, a pop gem about new romance from Sheare, and some kick ass hard rock from Dead Superstar.

* According to their bio, NYC-based rock band Beechwood consists of “an anti-social petty thief, a male hustler and a delinquent runaway.” After one listen to their single, “I Don’t Wanna Be The One You Love,” you’ll marvel at how such a misfit trio could form a rock n roll Voltron.

“I Don’t Wanna Be The One You Love” features influences from four decades of rock, as there are elements of ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and modern rock all interwoven to make an undeniably great indie rock song with a retro rock vibe.

Beechwood’s upcoming album, Songs From The Land Of Nod is due out January 26th via Alive Naturalsound Records, and you can check out “I Don’t Wanna Be The One You Love” right here.


* Even people who don’t really like Madonna have to admit “Like A Prayer” was an incredible song. NYC indie rockers Jeremy & The Harlequins recently found themselves inspired by the tune after being reminded of its greatness in the unlikeliest of places.

The band’s frontman, Jeremy Fury, explains, “About a month before we went into the studio, I was walking in a bodega and Madonna's ‘Like a Prayer’ came on. Of course, I've heard the song a million times, but I had never paid too much attention to the lyrics until then. I went home and quickly learned the song on the guitar and it reminded more of a Roy Orbison tune than the original dance version we all know. We decided to record it because it was a song everyone knew that we felt we could totally flip, and those are my personal favorite types of songs to cover.”

This is one of the coolest versions of “Like A Prayer” you’re going to hear, so click play and enjoy.


* If you’ve ever fallen in love at first sight, and fantasized about running away with that person – and let’s face it, who hasn’t had at least one, or ten, moments like that on any given night out – Brooklyn-based indie pop artist Sheare’s “you + i” is a potential soundtrack for your life … or at least for your evening.

As he sings the chorus of, “Change your plans tonight, it’s just you and I,” you’ll jot down the lyrics to make sure to remember to use them later.

“you + i” is off of Sheare’s upcoming EP, Music for Photo Booths, due out February 23rd, and you can check out the song right here.


* Loved the ‘90s hard rock scene? Long Island-based band Dead Superstar have resurrected the vibe of the era in its full glory with their latest single, “Beware of the Knife.”

“Beware of the Knife” is some kick ass, no hold barred, hard rock, and if the song is any indicator of what’s to come on the band’s upcoming 2018 album, I Did It For The Rock Gods – which was was produced by Jerrod Mankin (Bobaflex), recorded at Red Barn Studios, and mixed by Grammy Nominated producer Johnny Karkazis – next year is going to get off to quite the rockin’ start.

Check out the video for “Beware of the Knife,” and rock out with your … well, let’s not go there, you might be at work reading this.


For more of the best of NYC’s indie music scene, come back next Wednesday, and check out the archives for previous columns.