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DIY Discovery | McGuff & The Dumpster Fires

This punky Dayton quartet is blazing a mile-wide trail — with a Valkyrie at the wheel.

Most of the music I hear is sent to me by labels and publicists. But there’s nothing like getting it straight from the source. Welcome to the latest instalment of DIY Discovery, where I introduce you to artists who have sent me their music directly (and who don’t suck — that’s definitely part of the deal too). Today’s band definitely does not suck; in fact, they’ll stop you dead in your tracks. They’re so good I waited until their full disc was available so you could hear it all — because one song would not be enough. This one’s a keeper. Hear for yourself and tell me I’m wrong.

NAME: McGuff & The Dumpster Fires

HOME: Dayton, Ohio

LATEST RELEASE: Their third disc, the six-track Trip Gone Wrong

MY PITHY DESCRIPTION: Blazing a mile-wide trail through a midwestern landscape of punk, rockabilly and blues — with a freaking Valkyrie at the wheel.

SIX ADJECTIVES FOR THEIR MUSIC: Turbocharged, propulsive, dynamic, muscular, driving, gritty.

WHO THEY SOUND LIKE: Your brother’s basement band, equipped with better riffs and cooler songs — and fronted by a female vocalist whose hurricane-force pipes could destroy a brick wall.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “If The Clash got together with Janis Joplin, they would all love McGuff and the Dumpster Fires… and you might like them, too! Based in Dayton, Ohio, this foursome brings new music to life with influences from punk, funk, rockabilly, and cheap beer. Since forming in 2012, MDF has become a rising name in the Ohio music scene.

“Led by Taylor and Emily McGuff, their shared roles as lead vocalists bring a broad range of styles to their songwriting. Old-school bassist Keith Klein lends an experienced hand and road-tested pop sensibilities to this emerging band. Phil Doncaster brings the noise with his intense, diverse style on the drums. He also performs improv comedy, making him the perfect backline for the fun-loving McGuffs.

“Taylor, an Air Force veteran, drives the group forward with his fierce approach to the guitar. Emily’s poetic and intellectual writing style is the perfect counter-balance to his raw energy. Together, their voices bring real kinetic power to the stage. This band is having a good time whether you like it or not, and everyone is invited to the party.

“MDF is a band that prides itself on never sounding the same from one song to the next. Between fiery guitar licks, a funky rhythm section that blasts full speed ahead, and soaring dual-vocal lines, McGuff and the Dumpster Fires is here to make you move.”

NOW HEAR THIS:

YOUR TURN:

If you’d like to get in on this action, no problemo: Just go to the Submit Music page, fill out the form and hit send. Or email me directly. I can’t promise I’ll feature you, but if you’re as awesome as you think you are, it could happen. You never know.

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