Brothers in Arms

From our view way over here in Middle America, the thought of Nick Schaser relocating to London to perform his brand of rock seems as daring and outlandish as him going to Jamaica to start a reggae group or Louisiana to play Cajun music.

The Arms Akimbo frontman, you see, sings and writes like an unabashed Anglophile -- or at least that's how he sounds to us Yanks. It's hard to imagine the Brits being so welcoming of a foreigner performing with such an overtly British accent in his music.

"Actually, being the kid from Minnesota sort of made me the exotic one over there, and probably worked to my advantage," recalled Schaser, who lived in England for nearly three years and fronted a band there called Jack Maggs.

Back home in the Twin Cities, Schaser's Anglophile style really isn't all that exotic. You can't swing a snow shovel in this scene without hitting a Kinks- or Stones-inspired band (and thank goodness for that). But Schaser and the barely year-old Arms Akimbo have quickly managed to stand out from the crowd.

As can be heard on the trio's self-titled, full-length debut, these guys don't just echo the most obvious British rock legends. Instead of the Beatles, Stones or Kinks, a keen listener is more likely to cite Elvis Costello or Nick Lowe on hearing Arms Akimbo gems such as "We've Tried Everything" or "You Want To," the title track of the band's 2009 EP.

Likewise, the Jam, Libertines and Supergrass also can be heard in some of the scrappier, punkier tracks on the new album, including "Stories of England" and "The Kids Still Love Us." The former name-checks Schaser's favorite pub and other sites from his time in London. The latter references his annoyance at reading about Oasis over and over in NME magazine. Said Schaser, "I definitely fall more on the side of Blur in the Oasis vs. Blur battle."

Schaser is hardly the only NME reader in the band. Guitarist Chris Dillon said, "The Anglophile roots run deep for all of us, since we all grew up and got into music together."

Rounded out by Schaser's younger brother Ian on drums, the group has been performing together since the members attended St. Louis Park's Benilde-St. Margaret's School in the late-'90s. The Schasers were playing in a band even before that, as their British Invasion-weaned musical father enlisted them to jam with him as young kids.

"From the very beginning, I was trying to sing like Paul McCartney, with that accent," Nick recalled. "It's just how I learned to do it."

Reunited upon Nick's return in 2008 -- his work visa had long since run out -- the trio started playing together for fun. Things got serious late last year upon the release of their EP, which the Current put into rotation. The trio then found a like-minded producer to help craft their full-length album: Eric Lovold, frontman for the Alarmists (yep, another Anglophile local band). Lovold fit the Arms Akimbo so well that he signed on as keyboardist and backup singer. Friday's release party at Cause will be his second time in the lineup.

I suppose this means local fans won't get to start up an Alarmists vs. Arms Akimbo battle.

Peace in Rogue Valley Chris Koza might have been stuck in the mind-set of his native Portland, Ore., when he scheduled the release party for his band Rogue Valley's "fall" album on Nov. 26. Even if the ice and snow on the ground don't exactly seem autumnal, the music will.

"Geese in the Flyway" -- the third of four seasonal releases by the quartet -- draws upon the time Koza spent on the East Coast (sample titles: "Somewhere in Massachusetts," "Cape May"). The songs carry a collegiate, wool-cardigan vibe, with more acoustic/folky material than the previous discs and more prominent use of strings, à la Koza's solo albums. The album also shows Rogue Valley evolving more into a band. Bassist Linnea Mohn handles lead vocals on two tracks, including the twangy "Centralia, PA." Just the fact that Koza's crew pulled off another recording in such a short time shows how well they're working together.

Ex-Hold Steady keyboardist Franz Nicolay and British quartet Stornoway open Friday's show at Cedar Cultural Center (8 p.m., $14, all ages).

On the side Slated to sing one of the "Tim" songs at Friday's Replacements tribute show, Justin Pierre will be at First Ave a lot over the next month: His full-time band Motion City Soundtrack is hosting its Popsickle Festival there Dec. 18 with a whopping 10-band lineup, including Minus the Bear and Foxy Shazam. On Dec. 10, Pierre will play the Entry with a new band, Farewell Continental, whose members are working under secret TV identities (his is Jack Ryan). The real mystery: How is it this band doesn't have any music posted online yet, but they do have T-shirts for sale? Three different varieties, no less.

Also lined up for a "Tim" track at the 'Mats tribute, Romantica frontman Ben Kyle has recorded a duets album with Texas alt-country starlet Carrie Rodriguez, with whom Romantica has toured and shares a guitarist/pedal-steel player (Luke Jacobs). Tellingly titled "We Still Love Our Country," the disc covers John Prine (twice), Townes Van Zandt, some of Gram Parsons' staples and more, plus it features a pair of originals. It will land Feb. 1. Romantica's next gig is Dec. 12 at the Cedar, a release party for the vinyl edition of its "America" album, with KaiserCartel as openers.

Quiet food drive Harmonious folk duo the Brothers Frantzich are hoping to fund 40,000 meals with their annual Feed Them With Music concert Saturday at the Pantages Theatre (7 p.m., $35.30). Last year's show raised money for more than 36,000 meals for impoverished families. This year, they'll bring the proceeds with them to a school near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in January. They also have a little extra guest help this year, including gospel vet Robert Robinson, guitar guru Dean Magraw and Hookers & Blow singer Andra Suchy.

The Pantages will then welcome back the Blenders for their annual holiday shows Dec. 3-5, four concerts total. This year marks the Fargo-reared male a cappella quartet's 20th anniversary.

Random mix The tributes to Eyedea didn't stop with the First Ave show two weeks ago. Carnage, Kill the Vultures, Kristoff Krane, Sector7G and other Face Candy participants will perform Saturday at the Turf Club for "Eye Will," showcasing the visual art of the real-life Mikey Larsen. All of the door money and sales of his artwork will go to his memorial fund (10 p.m., $10). ...

Big Quarters will preview tracks from its forthcoming album Saturday at the Triple Rock (10 p.m., $6). The brotherly hip-hop duo has come up with another whack title for the album, due early next year: "Party Like a Young Commie." ... As if going out on New Year's Eve wasn't dangerous enough, the Triple Rock has booked another Metallagher reunion for its Dec. 31 party. ... Other New Year's Eve gigs: Lamont Cranston and Rev. Raven & Chain Smokin' Altar Boys with Bruce McCabe (in both bands!) at the Ramada Mall of America; Mark Mallman once again at the Varsity, and Hookers & Blow at Famous Dave's. ...

Those fashionistas sure do work farther ahead than music scenesters: Voltage: Fashion Amplified organizers already announced the lineup for their April 15 runway/rock show at First Ave: Pink Mink, Communist Daughter, Fort Wilson Riot, Me & My Arrow and Phantom Tails will all dress up and perform. ... Koerner & Glover have been added to the lineup of First Avenue's 40th anniversary party Dec. 15. ...

The Electric Fetus in Minneapolis hopes to jump-start its holiday business with a 20-percent-off sale all day Friday and Saturday. All three Fetus locations statewide will also offer a new personal-shopping service starting Wednesday through Dec. 10. Of course, you can pretty much ask for recommendations at indie stores any other day, too. ...

Rhymesayers Entertainment's Uptown record store Fifth Element is hosting a Black Friday sale with contests, "special guest" employees and even something called the Slug Shoe Sale, featuring the shoe-buff rapper's slightly used sneakers. I wish I were making that up.

chrisr@startribune.com • 612-673-4658 • Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisRstrib