In June of last year I made my way to Wine Cellar to see {Melanie} for the first time, and one of the bands on the bill that night were {Finger Tight}, and when I reviewed them I said “I was extremely impressed by the end and found it hard to believe this is just their third gig – we are going to be hearing a lot more of these guys.” Since then, I have reviewed some singles, one of which (I Hear It Rains In Seattle) is included on this their debut album which is going to make a lot of people sit up and take notice as this is a punk/pop/emo banger from start to finish. Since I saw them play, they have changed drummers, bringing in Matthew Townshend (who is guitarist in {Mariner}) to join with Red Rogers (vocals), Glenn Mullins (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), Jacinto de Silva (lead guitar), and Jasher Simmons (bass).
13 songs, 44 minutes, here we have guys who have an innate sense of melody and commerciality yet keep it real with riffing guitars and a powering rhythm section. The drums are an incredibly important part of their overall sound, always driving hard and never content to sit back and let the rest of the guys do the work, constantly changing approach and throwing in fills while the bass is locked in tight to provide the stability for the guitars to go off and bring the crunch. Then at the front we have Red who can be melodic or gruff and abrasive as the need requires. Just for the hell of it they also brought in some guest singers to duet with him on a song each, Josh Pinho from {Stray Dogs}, and Lee Mackley from {Crooked Royals}.
There is only one way to play this album, loud with a massive smile on your face, as this is good time music, one where the pit is a sweaty mess with the topless singer whipping everyone into a frenzy. I bumped into Red and Matt at the recent {XIle} gig, and while not as harsh as that band, there are times when they definitely push in that direction. I have likened them to Blink 182 and Sum 41 in the past, but although there are a few similarities here and there, this is way more powerful as it is far more real. Here are a bunch of guys who are not attempting to be anything except what they are, some commercial punk oiks with balls who somehow manage to throw hooks and commerciality into everything they do. Any review of the album must also make mention of the song titles, which often have little to do with what is being sung, and display their wicked sense of humour, with Incomplete Sentences Are So being a case in point.
This is a great debut, and I can’t wait to see them soon at the launch party on November 5th as that will be a show not to miss. If you enjoy commercial punk with a solid dose of reality, then this is for you.
Rating: 8/10
