Debuting in 2005 as a three piece band, later to become a four-piece ensemble, The Answering Machine has conquered its way into my heart and my playlist. Martin Colclough, Pat Fogarty, Gemma Evans started the band sans drummer, but would later make up for this using a drum machine dubbed Mustafa Beat. Ben Perry later came in to replace The Answering Machine’s artificial drumming counterpart as their new, full-fledged, living, breathing drummer. The art rock group is based out of Manchester, UK and bares a similarity to a few groups such as The Flashguns, Bombay Bicycle Club, Johnny Foreigner, The Strokes, and Good Shoes. All of which are Ace in my book.

Their first full length album Another City, Another Sorry dropped late in 2008 under the brand new indie label, Heist Or Hit Records. The album of 11 tracks contains songs that make me want to sing along even though I don’t know the words while the guitar bombards my eardrums with consistent infectious rhythmic riffs. Songs, such as Emergency, where Gemma Evans lets her charming voice chime out definitely stand out. Each of the tracks stand out in their own right and there isn’t much by the way of redundancy between songs. I am currently listening to the album for the 17th time around in the past 24 hours, so it’s worth listening to.

Despite being such a young band in the wide world of music, they have already had great success. They have their track “It’s Over! It’s Over! It’s Over!” featured in EA’s FIFA 10. In Addition to that Triumph they have also played at the Glastonbury festival in 2007 and the SXSW festival in 2008. Not too shabby for a band that started off playing in bars during their term at the University of Manchester in 2006.

For those of you who enjoy Bombay Bicycle Club, Two Door Cinema Club, The Maccabees or really any of the music that is coming out in the UK, this band is for you.

These lads are from London and have a unique sound about them; catchy guitar riffs, solid drums, and earthy vocals all make your feet tap, and head bob to the rhythm. What’s impressive is that the band is still in school working on their A-levels; junior or senior year in high school for most of us states-side kids. It’s impressive to see such mature music coming out of such young musicians. They have only released a couple EPs and singles however The Flashguns are already on the ears and minds of thousands of listeners. They have already toured with the likes of Pete and the Pirates and Bombay Bicycle Club. Keep an eye out for this band, they’re going somewhere.