More Fans Monday: Cultus Ferox and Postmodern Jukebox

Welcome to "More Fans Monday." More Fans Monday means I get to show you a couple of bands that I enjoy that deserve more fans and more fame than they have.

First up: Cultus Ferox. Cultus Ferox is a German medieval band, active for the last 12 years. I first discovered them through their '07 M'era Luna performance. Their music is largely comprised of percussion and bagpipes with a scattering of various rock instruments. The subjects of their songs range from pagan mythology to pirate life.

Their music is fantastic both live and recorded, evoking a deep burning pride for all those of German descent. For a German-Scot like me, their use of bagpipes, their eloquent German lyrics, and their pagan-pirate attire is quite inspiring. But, you don't have to be German or even speak it to enjoy their incredible ballads!

Since their formation in 'o1, Cultus Ferox has released eight full albums (one of which - Beutezug - was released just this year), one single (Ahoii/Goldene Zeiten, also released earlier this year) and DVDs.

Check them out here:

Next, we're switching to a completely different genre with Postmodern Jukebox! Postmodern Jukebox was formed by Scott Bradlee. Their music features Robyn Adele Anderson (vocals), Adam Kubota (on bass), Allan Mednard (drums), and Scott Bradlee himself (on keys).

Postmodern Jukebox creates Jazz Age versions of popular songs from today and turn them into sensational hits. They're most noted for their cover version of Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" (the original found here), a jazzy number that puts to mind the ever-hilarious lounge singer, Richard Cheese (check his version of Nirvana's "Rape Me" here). However, far from his comical style, Postmodern Jukebox actually creates something of their own worth as much merit as the original artist.

"My goal with Postmodern Jukebox is to get my audience to think of songs not as rigid, ephemeral objects, but like malleable globs of silly putty. Songs can be twisted, shaped, and altered without losing their identities–just as we grow, age, and expire without losing ours–and it is through this exploration that the gap between “high” and “low” art can be bridged most readily." - Scott Bradlee, from the Postmodern Jukebox Website.

You're sure to be fascinated by their creative reconstruction of today's music. Here is their popular version of "Thrift Shop": 

Thanks for reading today's "More Fans Monday"! Your continued support is appreciated. Know a band that's still cleverly hidden from the public eye? Share it in the comments and it may get featured (with a special thanks to you) in our next "More Fans Monday"! In the mean time, keep exploring new music!