Better Know a CHBP Band: New Faces and The Pica Beats

If we've learned one thing about our past experiences at Capitol Hill Block Parties, it is that the bands that endear themselves to the gathered masses the most are ones that get the Partiers to move. (Flashback to Girl Talk's 2008 CHBP performance.) Next up in our "Better Know a CHBP Band" series, we present New Faces and The Pica Beats. Though there are major differences between the tempos these bands employ, expect dominant rhythms, and considerable movement around both sets.

New Faces (Sat 5:30 p.m., Vera stage) - Nico Janssen - vocals/guitar

Self description of music - Britpop/Dance Rock/Post Punk.

Biggest influences - Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes.

Band most excited about on the CHBP roster - Black Lips.

How CHBP compares to other festivals played or attended recently - CHBP is one of our favorites, because it is held in the middle of Seattle, is full of local bands and people, and doesn't overwhelm its attendees with too many acts, stages, or locations. We've played SXSW, Noise For The Needy, and Bumbershoot, and the Block Party is our favorite.

Best part of being a Seattle band - The built-in reputation and interested response that comes from critics and music biz professionals all around the country and world. People respect Seattle's scene, they want to hear the new hot shit in this city, much more so than in other cities. But that makes it even harder to break out of a city filled with great bands.

Three favorite local bands right now - Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, Beads, Star Lake Drownings.

What people should expect when New Faces take the stage - We're debuting four new songs and a new live band member!

Favorite things about Capitol Hill - Cal Anderson Park, Bauhaus, and running into someone you know on the street.

The Pica Beats after the jump.