Merchant Ships

Merchant Ships were an emo/screamo band from South Bend, Indiana and Sturgis, Michigan. Unfortunately, their tenure was plagued with inner turmoil. Despite this, they still managed to put out a decent amount of material in a relatively short amount of time. Merchant Ships began in July 2008, and broke up in May 2009. Within this time frame, they put out numerous EP's (I Want To Forget About Everything Bad That Ever Happened, Ever, Bummer Times Demo, and The LOL Cats Demo). They also put out a song ("Old Grey") on the Simple Days Compilation and a re-release of Bummer Times Demo with three additional songs in 2010. Upon their break-up, they released a compilation of most of their recorded work at the time, including IWTFAEBTEHE, the original version of Bummer Times Demo, "Old Grey", a new song titled "Something Paul Revere", and an early version of "Dying", which would later appear on For Cameron. It also included The LOL Cats Demo (with abbreviated names), but apparently the band isn't very fond of it, that's why most versions floating around the internet are without it. This compilation was titled SHIPSOGRAPHY. Merchant Ships reunited late 2009, possibly early 2010. In May 2010, they signed to Count Your Lucky Stars (THE emo label). They put out one thing on CYLS: For Cameron. After a tour, they broke up in July 2010. Members went on to form bands such as Midwest Pen Pals, Jefferson Park, and William Bonney.

Merchant Ships mix clean, noodly guitar playing reminiscent of bands such as Snowing and Algernon Cadwallader with the high-pitched intense screams of Raein and Saetia. Or something. Lots of gang-vocal sing-alongs too. Their earliest work features some pretty standard emo-y stuff, but as they progressed they began to explore more unique song structures and musical ideas. They integrated some experimental components in their music, such as spoken word in "My Journey To The Weed Den" or "Sleep Patterns". They've also got some kickass acoustic jams. Just good shit all around. Catchy as hell, but still very emotional songs, amazing lyrics, great guitar work; everything is just really solid and coated in awesomeness. Yeah.

Here's everything they did. I don't know if the artwork is real for The LOL Cats Demo, or if the artwork for Bummer Times Demo is for the three-song or six-song version. And sorry I couldn't find any artwork for "Old Grey". Ah well, enjoy.

The LOL Cats Demo (2008)

1. I Won That Jousting Match Because Of My Iron Horse

2. Drinkin' Music Is Better Than Sober Music

3. Long Term Relationships Were Only Cool When Divorce Wasn't

4. Hidden Track

I Want To Forget About Everything Bad That Ever Happened, Ever (2009)

1. My Journey To The Weed Den

2. We Don't Need Luck To Make It

3. The First Time I Got Fucked Up Was To The Party Song By Blink-182

4. Coffee, Hot Showers, And Hangover Jams

5. Long Term Relationships Were Only Cool When Divorce Wasn't

Simple Days Compilation (2009)

1. Old Grey

Bummer Times Demo (2009)

1. Birthday!

2. Let's Exchange Word Vomit

3. Emo Songs

Extra Songs (2010)

4. Birthday! (Acoustic)

5. If A Bear's Hungry (He Will Eat)

6. If A Bear's Hungry (He Will Eat) (Acoustic)

SHIPSOGRAPHY (2010)

1. My Journey To The Weed Den

2. We Don't Need Luck To Make It

3. The First Time I Got Fucked Up Was To The Party Song By Blink-182

4. Coffee, Hot Showers, And Hangover Jams

5. Long Term Relationships Were Only Cool When Divorce Wasn't

6. Old Grey

7. Birthday!

8. Let's Exchange Word Vomit

9. Emo Songs

10.  Something Paul Revere

11. Dying

For Cameron (2010)

1. Things Left In Last Year

2. Dying

3. Sentinel

4. Sleep Patterns

5. Good Weekend

6. Something That Matters