Queens Still Rockin’ and Rollin’

The Kobolds have only been around for two years, but they play like they’ve been a band for much longer.

Alternative indie rockers The Kobolds have recently released their second EP, and it’s a five-song sample of rock music today—from slower ballad to reggae to good old-fashioned rock and roll. The band, which hails from Astoria, Queens (you know, the other cool-kid borough), offer up the basic band lineup—Nicholas DiMichele on vocals and lead guitar, Spencer Synwolt on rhythm guitar, Alex Grau on bass and Andrew Benson on drums and percussion—and throw in keys, brass and even a few strings.

The EP itself is well-constructed: a rocking and rolling start with “Buckle Up,” some reggae-ish beats with “The Grind,” and slowing it down almost completely with “The Itinerant” before bringing it back up to speed with “Take Me Now” and “Rerouted.” Grau and DiMichele have been playing music together since they met down in Texas, and it’s clear the other members have fed right into the pair’s chemistry.

The band’s second EP is definitely one that is has excellent production and the talent to back it up—between DiMichele’s vocal range and guitar solos (see: “Itinerant”) to Benson’s spot-on percussion choices (see: “Take Me Now”), it’s clear we’re working with real musicians here. The band would have fit quite nicely on WRXP 101.9 (had to whine about this eventually). Good to know that New Yorkers are still rocking out, regardless.