One of our favorite bands to come out of Baltimore (and to go bowling with), it’s nice to see the incredibly nice guys in Double Dagger are getting some long overdue national appreciation.

The Baltimore trio create what could most-easily be described as post-punk, although post-typography is probably a more accurate term. Their name is a sly reference to their very nerdy appreciation of the art form as Double Dagger is equally well known for their beautifully designed record packaging, hand-screenprinted concert posters, and T-shirt designs.

The single “The Lie/The Truth” is the first notes we’ve heard from their debut Thrill Jockey release (and third LP overall) More, which will be out May 5. It’s very similar to DD of past, with a few Fugazi and Les Savy Fav-tempered influences, but we’re told the new album is a bit more on the “aggressive” side. We’re also told a proper music video is in the works and their first national tour in support of the album will be announced later this spring.

Double Dagger – “The Lie/The Truth”

Anyone who’s familiar with the Brooklyn and Baltimore scenes has run across GDFX at one point or another. You might know him better as one of the members of Teeth Mountain and the newest drummer for Liturgy. Or maybe you’re looking forward to seeing him on his current stint backing Dan Deacon as part of Deacon’s 14-person touring ensemble. And if you’re really in the know, maybe you’ve booked a show at Market Hotel through him or are hip to his micro-label Infinite Limbs. Either way, Greg Fox is a man who wears many hats whose solo project goes by the title of GDFX.

GDFX sees Greg step away from the drum kit and take a stab at twisting knobs. Filled with integrity, we’re actually fond of his work as GDFX because of it’s pop-sensibilities. Much like our friend Dan Friel — although with heavier nod to the 8-bit gods — Greg’s hob-knobbery (like that one?) is filled with plenty of catchy hooks. Too bad few of them are present in the clip below, because as fate would have it, Greg’s gear — along with a flash card that held the last five years of GDFX material — was stolen before his New Year’s show with, ironically enough, Dan Friel and These Are Powers. From the GDFX >MySpace blog on New Year’s day, 2009:

thank you to the people who broke into my car and stole all of my gear

be wary of the false gdfx.

But don’t fret, GDFX has pressed on, as his show last night with Double Dagger and Future Island and the brand new 20-minute epic track “Long Chord” will attest.

GDFX – “Long Chord”

As we previously mentioned, Dan Deacon’s now much anticipated follow-up to Spiderman Of The Rings has a track listing and cover art to accompany it’s name and street date.

We doubt Bromst is an acronym for the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, but that’s where he unveiled the new material — featuring a 15-piece live ensemble including all four members of So Percussion alongside various Baltimore civilians from Ponytail, Double Dagger, Ecstatic Sunshine, and Future Islands. Though it was previously reported Dan would be taking the ensemble on tour with him to support Bromst, he clarified himself in an interview with the Village Voice’s Rob Harvilla, saying the show in Brooklyn was a one-time thing. The album will be released on Carpark Records on March 24.

Bromst Track Listing
01. Build Voice
02. Red F
03. Paddling Ghost
04. Snookered
05. Of the Mountains
06. Surprise Stefani
07. Wet Wings
08. Woof Woof
09. Slow With Horns / Run for Your Life
10. Baltihorse
11. Get Older