Twin Ponies
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Twin Ponies

Tempe, Arizona, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF

Tempe, Arizona, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2013
Band Alternative Indie

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"All Hail Twin Ponies"

Twin Ponies has managed to accomplish something unexpected: they have genuinely rekindled my love for rock music. It has been a long time since I have craved the sound of rock and roll in my ears. I’ve been into a indie-electronic-dance-retro groove for the past few years. Phoenix seems to be experiencing a resurgence of rock music and there are plenty of new bands in town to scope out. I’ve attended many shows in an attempt to find one band I could really sink my soul into. My quest was largely unsuccessful until now. That’s not to say I’ve never liked any rock bands in town. There’s like and then there’s LOVE. Love: Small Leaks Sinks Ships has left Arizona and Underground Cities rarely plays out anymore, they left a hole in my soul for my kind of rock.

Twin Ponies is a progressive rock band with members of the defunct bands: Tugboat, of the Painted Choir, and Kinch. Wayne Jones : Vocals/Guitar, Phillip Hanna : Bass/Synthesizer, Jordan Tompkins : Drums, Jacob Lauxman : Guitar. If you are not in the know – these bands were all fantastic. So it should be no surprise that Twin Ponies would eventually arrive at greatness.

I discovered Twin Ponies at their residency occurring on Friday nights at Time Out Lounge in Tempe during the month of January. January 9th was the first show I went to. Not only were all the bands fantastic: Freeze Ray Vision, Sun Dogg (from New Mexico,) Playboy Manbaby, but I was pleasantly suprised by Twin Ponies. So I went back on the 16th and it was another killer line up with Sedusa, LUAU, and Daisy Face. This time I begged my bestie Joanne Yoshiko to join me because I wanted to confirm my findings with my partner in crime, she concurred with this statement:

“Rock and Roll is alive and well, not in Tempe, not in Time out Lounge, but in mother fucking Twin Ponies.”

Joanne and I danced to Twin Ponies and she thrashed even harder than I did.

Twin Ponies excels at song writing specifically, interesting arrangements combined with engaging melodies and with technical skill. I’d highly recommend you check out Twin Ponies at one of their two residency shows left this month. Perk: there is no cover. They have done a remarkable job with the line ups. I’ve heard nothing but great things about The Hill in Mind, Instructions are local legends, word on the street is Ghostal is amazing and Celebration Guns have become one of my most favorite local bands. So you should just go both Fridays.

Residency line up:

JAN 23rd
10pm SURF
11pm The Hill in Mind
12am Twin Ponies

JAN 30th
9pm Instructions
10pm Ghostal (Tucson)
11pm Celebration Guns
12am Twin Ponies

Pores released September 2013 Willoughby is my favorite track. - Echo Cloud


"Twin Ponies: Phallacy"

Twin Ponies is self-described as a progressive rock band composed of members of the defunct Tempe indie-alternative band, Tugboat. They came together in 2013 and released the EP “Pores” last September, engineered and mixed by Fred Huang and mastered by Fen Ikner.

While we couldn’t get enough of one of their signature tracks, “Willoughby,” from this release, “Phallacy” kept forcing us to come back and re-listen, especially after the final instrumental kicks off, wherein all hell breaks loose. This is one of my favorite tracks this year and comes highly recommended.
I’ve also been told they’ve made a run of cassettes so you may want to check out their BandCamp below as it includes a bonus track, “Pink Skin.” - Insomnia Radio: Indie Music Network


"Staff List / Fifty Independent Artists To Support In June"

Independent music is bloody amazing, isn’t it? That’s why we’ve compiled fifty of the best independent artists for your entertainment. We hope you enjoy this staff list + remember to follow Independent Music News on Facebook/Twitter. We really do appreciate all your support. Peace xx

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// - Independent Music News


"Twin Ponies to release songbook for "Pores""

It appears that the band Tugboat has sailed back into port, kinda.

The former members of that defunct band, Wayne Jones, Phillip Hanna and Jordan Tompkins, along with newcomer Jason Lauxman, have formed Twin Ponies. And their new EP Pores has got them sailing in a very good direction.

Too many times when a band reunites, they ultimately repeat the past, but from the very first track, “Muggers,” Twin Ponies show they have no intention of doing that.

Jones, lead vocalist, (who gives a strong performance throughout the 4 track EP), hasn’t missed a step since we last heard him. Melancholy but strong. Wanting, yet easily capable of drawing the listener in. His voice perfectly fits the music.

The second track, “Phallacy”, is where one can hear what guitarist Lauxman brings to the party. His melodic styling lifts and pushes the music forward without getting in the way. Well done, sir.

“Cool Jeans” and “Willoughby” explore a more alternative sound, but what I enjoyed is that here the guys really have put their mark on the songs.

Lest I forget to mention Hanna on bass/synthesizer, and Tompkins on drums. You tell that these gentlemen are completely in sync with each other. The melodies and the breaks are very well written and executed.

Overall, I’m digging this, (and still have the album on repeat). Twin Ponies took what was terrific about the past and are charging full steam ahead in new directions.

The format for release adds an interesting texture to the Twin Ponies’ EP. Rather than offering fans the always cool vinyl option or the re-emergent cassette, the band is releasing Pores in a 5×7 coil bound song book. Digital download is included for those of you who might not actually want to play the music and would rather simply listen to the band performing their own tracks.

Head out to the Rogue tonight to score your own copy of Pores, the song book, and catch Twin Ponies live. Captain Squeegee, the Electric Blankets, and Celebration Guns will be joining in the festivities.

by Frank Ippolito
Staff Writer - Yab Yum Music and Arts


"3 Split Releases to Check Out"

Celebration Guns & Twin Ponies

celebration guns // twin ponies split

Celebration Guns opens the four song release with two tracks of “noisey, ambient, jungle pop” that has defined this up-and-coming Phoenix act. “folks inside” is the first song on the Celebration Guns // Twin Ponies Split and quickly establishes an upbeat atmosphere for the experimental sounds contained on the EP. A playful xylaphone kicks off the cheery-sounding, summer anthem “the volunteer”. Twin Ponies offers the latter two tracks that close the release with a bit more garage rock in place of the previously experienced indie pop of Celebration Guns. “exuviae” and “esquimaux” are diverse tracks that show Twin Ponies in their more energetic times as well as a more pensive and meandering moment. Listen/purchase the split release here. - Yab Yum Music and Arts


"TOUR WORTHY IN PHOENIX: OCTOBER 9 THROUGH OCTOBER 15"

"Although heavy on big name EDM and cover band circuit acts, Phoenix finds itself as a surprisingly homegrown free performer zone this weekend. That’s not nearly as bad as it sounds, however, because the level of diversity and quality of what is actually happening makes up for the temporary dearth ..."

"Over at The Yucca Tap Room on Saturday, October 11 will be Twin Ponies, a relatively new progressive indie outfit that formed in 2013, out of the ashes of Phoenix rock bands Tugboat and Of The Painted Choir. The quartet is somewhat musically similar to the latter outfit–swinging rhythms and fragile vocals are accounted for–but with an added guitar crunch that comes close to replacing Of The Painted Choir’s elegance with ragged force. Twin Ponies have issued two cassette-only releases–both on Rubber Brother Records–in the last year, Pores and Celebration Guns + Twin Ponies, the latter a split single." - Tourworthy.com


"15 metro Phoenix local music picks for June"

6/17: Twin Ponies

Three of these guys — Wayne Jones, Phillip Hanna and Jordan Tompkins — were in Tugboat together. Guitarist Jacob Lauxman is a great addition to that core lineup. They've apparently been working on a followup to "Pore," a 2013 EP whose more inspired moments appeared to be channeling the artier and more infectious side of the '90s alternative-rock sound at the same time (which would explain a track called "Willoughby"). Also playing: The Ghost Wolves, Casual Encounters, DJ Parameterchild. - AZ Central: The Arizona Republic


Discography

Friendly Pet Mass Graves EP Released July 17th 2015

Celebration Guns + Twin Ponies Split released May 2014 through Rubber Brother Records (Rubberbrotherrecords.com)

Pores Ep released Sept 28th 2013


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Bio

Twin Ponies is an alternative rock band formed in Phoenix, AZ by Wayne Jones, Phillip Hanna, Jordan Tompkins and Jacob Lauxman in 2013. The band describes their sound as a blend of nineties alternative rock with obsess vocals, shifting meters, and unsolicited key changes. They have performed alongside Speedy Ortiz, Maps & Atlases, Local H, TTNG, Ex Hex, Dance Gavin Dance, PILE, Finch, Brick + Mortar, The Velveteen, and their upcoming release Friendly Pet Mass Graves further continues their bending their sound in some unexpected directions.

Band Members