Thursday 28 January 2021
Scratch Acid
The Sawtooth Grin
Tuesday 26 January 2021
Moonraker
Moonraker were a four-piece emo/hardcore band from Tallahassee, Florida that began in 1994 and broke up in 1995. Their releases were very limited, with only two splits, a few compilation tracks and one 10" (released on No Idea Records posthumously). Luckily we live in the age of the internet, so other unreleased material and live songs have also been made available. This resulted in an online bootleg of their full discography. I highly suggest giving this a listen, especially if you're a fan of bands like Moss Icon, Indian Summer and Native Nod. Listen to a song such as "20 Minutes With Michael Kerney" and you'll see exactly what I mean, it's like their "Gravity" or "Angry Son". Enjoy.
Monday 25 January 2021
This Charming Man
If you know me then you are well aware of my affinity for everything Mr. Brian Fallon touches. This early project of his is no exception, and I figured it's worth sharing for any fans of early Gaslight that had not heard it. Prior to The Gaslight Anthem, which began in 2006, Mr. Fallon was active in a band called This Charming Man which started in 2004. They had the same four-piece set-up that TGA eventually did, and recorded a single EP in 2005 titled Every Little Secret. Sonically, it sounds like a slightly rougher version of Sink Or Swim, with the chunky punk influence of bands such as Hot Water Music and The Bouncing Souls being very prominent. These songs are catchy, with painstakingly relatable lyrics and a raw energy to them that was slightly pulled back once TGA got started. Personally, I absolutely love this EP, but that could be slightly biased. Give this man four chords, a radio and romantic thoughts of the past and I will eat that shit up.
By 2006, the band's line-up had changed to include Benny Horowitz (drummer) and Alex Levine (bassist). With the departure of original This Charming Man guitarist Mike Volpe and the addition of Alex Rosamalia, the band decided to change their name to The Gaslight Anthem, and the rest is history. As this EP was very limited upon release, a reissue was put out in 2011. This included four bonus tracks, one of which was an early demo of the TGA song "1930" under the name "She Could'a Raised The Titanic", as well as a demo of the track "Kiss Me, I'm A Pirate" from this EP. The other two I do not know the names of. Enjoy.
Friday 22 January 2021
Down To Nothing
No For An Answer
Thursday 21 January 2021
Shroomunion
Elements Of Need
The Fall On Deaf Ears
Wednesday 20 January 2021
Your Arms Are My Cocoon
You Arms Are My Cocoon is a one-piece screamo band created by Tyler Odom, which released its debut EP last year. I hadn't previously heard this, but thanks to a suggestion in the chatbox I figured I'd give it a shot, and am very glad I did. This project meshes lo-fi bedroom pop with twinkly screamo. Its a hybrid that probably shouldn't work, but in this case it undoubtedly does. This sound is incredibly unique, with the math rock twinkly guitar sound of midwest emo against shrill vocal screams, with some electronic pattering to fill in the rhythm. Every song delivers something new, thanks to a lot of instrumental variety and ideas, with the acoustic and despondent "Metamorphosis" being a highlight. Enjoy.