Clone hails from New York. Swallow the Rat comes from nearly precisely the other side of the world (Auckland). Both bands play an appealing, rhythmic version of accessible noise rock that harks back to the mid 90s.

Swallow the Rat/Clone split LP (Rough Trade)

Swallow the Rat certainly has a Straitjacket Fits feel as it veers from churning noise to semi-jaunty pop. It's easy to hear the restrained Kiwipop influences, even as the band also embraces its inner Touch and Go. The Chills meet Naked Raygun meet Arcwelder? Sure, with a few unique chasers.

Clone is much more in the Girls Against Boys/Kepone side of the ledger. These songs hang entirely on rhythm. Any melody is rendered almost extraneous by the lockstep rhythm section. Like Swallow the Rat, Clone isn't against embracing the occasional power pop feel, but those moments are largely incidental.

I'm not sure how this package got put together, but now that live music is back, I can endorse a tour. These bands compliment each other nicely without sounding anything like each other. A fine dose of fresh air, just when we need one.

Jon Worley