The story of the Pellys is in many ways the story of a lot of young suburban bands with large aspirations and little experience. Formed while still in high school, the Grayson, Georgia quartet had almost no knowledge of the local music scene, even as they looked for ways to escape the banalities of their hometown. Over time, and through some chance discoveries, the group began to find the music of their contemporaries — young Atlanta acts on the rise like Sea Ghost, Newark Wilder, and Antarcticats — and new possibilities began to emerge.

“Out here, there’s no art,” says vocalist/guitarist Ian Buford of Grayson. “It’s just suburbia and soccer moms. So when I found out there’s actually a music scene in Atlanta, I rejoiced.”

It wasn’t long before Buford and company discovered DIY venues like WonderRoot and the Mammal Gallery, and began to make connections within the scene. When it came time to record their debut EP, they asked locals who they should turn to, and one name kept surfacing: Damon Moon of the Cottage. So the group booked some time at the East Atlanta studio and got to work.

Fast forward several weeks and the Pellys are making preparations to share their first record, Hail Jake. The band has yet to set a release date, but the hope is to drop it sometime in August. In the meantime, the group has graciously allowed us to premiere their first single, a scrappy, summertime anthem called “Shiny Things.” Brimming with deliriously catchy garage-pop hooks (that opening guitar line, man), it’s a track that virtually smolders with emotion.

But lest you think this is another cerebrally aloof rock outfit — all vibe and no thought — a glance through their lyrics should be enough to convince you otherwise. “Do you remember me my dear? / Has your end closed or neared? / I hope you’re doing well where life is great / But there’s no living hell where heaven can wait,” Buford declares before jumping headfirst into the song’s infectious chorus. It’s a moment of anxiety and desperate tension wrapped in a hazy, toe-tapping rocker, and I can’t wait to hear more.

The Pellys will perform on Thursday, August 11 at WonderRoot. Supporting them will be Antarcticats, Rad-Rex, Longshot, Stellaroid, and the Jumping Jackalope. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.

More Info
Bandcamp: thepellys.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @thepellys
SoundCloud: @thepellys