With too much jump to be twee and too much jangle to power-pop it, the Argyle Wishlist has been churning out tight, buzzy and unassuming pop gems at a breakneck speed since early 2004. Born from the remnants of the Michigan garage-pop combo the The Keen, principal songwriter Jesse Bell and former Keen drummer Matt Rodgers collaborated on what would become the Wishlist’s first record entitled "The Bell Wether ep" in the fall of '04. Since then, Jesse, working mostly in a solo capacity, has released six other EPs and full-lengths including contributions to Series Two Records compilations, special EP club releases and several split 3" CDs with various Series Two bands. The Argyle Wishlist performed at the first Nebraska Pop Festival in 2009.
The group captures the feel and energy of early British invasion groups and filters it through a strong appreciation of 90s Indie Pop to fashion an unmistakable songwriting style and sound. With Jesse’s slightly off kilter vocals layered over banging clean guitar chords, fuzzy synth and slippery bass lines, the Wishlist continues to create classically inspired two minute bursts of pop that evoke memories of groups like The Searchers, J. Kramer and the Dakotas along with newer groups such as the Bats and The Zebras. There is a singular purpose in the crafting of their music, almost thematic succinct pop songs; no excess no waste.
