A Key Studio Sessions-centric preview for The GTVs’ album release party at Ardmore Music Hall July 12th

The GTVs release their first album Sh’Bang! next Saturday at the Ardmore Music Hall, with the company of Weird Hot and St. James and the Apostles. (Thanks to the band, you can sign up to win tickets to the show here.) Sh’Bang! was released earlier on Italy’s Teen Sound Records this year and has a catchy mix of garage rock, surf and soul. Many of the songs are entirely instrumental, sounding a bit like a jam session. In an interview with The Key’s Brian Wilensky, guitarist Pat Wescott clarified that unlike a jam band, they “work on arranging every part, making it like a hook and keeping it to the point.” The band uses an unique recording method, keeping with the style of the time period. Last month GTVs stopped by to do a great Key Studio Session. Listen to a live recording of “Organ Donor” from Sh’Bang below.

Another funky band on the bill is Weird Hot. Much like the GTVs, Wierd Hot uses a mix of genres to create memorable earworms. They describe themselves as “funk noir.” In May, the band released their two latest singles “I Was At A Party” and “The Wasp Woman”. The band also did a Key Studio Session last year. Listen to the funk anthem “Ghosts” from the session below.

Last but not least are garage rock trio, St. James & The Apostles, and you guessed it, they recorded with The Key as well. The band is set to release the follow up to 2012’s Baphomet in September. The religious undertones of their music with the rock and roll tone of the band makes for an interesting statement. Listen to the redemptive fervor of “Friend in Jesus” from their Key Session below.

All three bands have a great way of twisting genres into something unexpected and brilliant. Catch them live at Ardmore Theater July 12th. Get more details about the show here.