Archives: February 2019
The Brokedowns
Last May, The Brokedowns released their latest full-length and third for Red Scare, called Sick of Space. We recently caught up with singer/guitarist Kris Megyery and talked about how the album was recorded and what some of its songs are about. The record finds the band, (also consisting of singer/bassist Jon Balun, guitarist Eric Grossmann and drummer Mustafa Daka) further evolving their approach to heavy Midwestern punk, complete with lyrics that balance social commentary and humor. The end result is easily The Brokedowns’ most focused and accessible album to date. Additionally, we discussed some of the band’s recent shows, their plans for this year and more. Continue Reading…
Howardian – “Silly Shit”
Next month, Howardian will release their latest full-length, The Silly Shit You Say. We’re premiering the video for the album’s first single above, called “Silly Shit.” Frontman Ian Vanek, (ex-Japanther) described the making of the video, explaining “Filming was a really fun process. We worked efficiently in a tiny space in Chicago, shooting only 12 takes in total with very little preparation. A lampshade chases each band member through every shot, unifying and darkening the mood.”
When detailing the album’s writing process, Vanek said “We made demos on four tracks and laptops, revised them over email and then met up in Oakland to re-recorded everything. We made an excess of compositions in an attempt to find the magic and I feel really great about the unexpected beauty that we found.” Besides Vanek, Howardian’s lineup consists of seven additional musicians, (Scott Brummel, Justin Mckaughan, Gardner Allen, Farley Glavin, Mustafa Daka, Schuyler Maehl and Flo Amarino). Vanek cited a collective energy being important to keeping the project alive, as well as the significance of new outlooks during changing times.
When looking ahead to the record being released, Vanek said “Releasing this album is really big for us. We’ve been a band for four years and done seven releases, but this is our first 12” vinyl record. It’s by far the best Howardian work available, so I look forward to people getting it and digesting the album over the next few months.” The record comes out on March 15th via Let’s Pretend Records and Starcleaner Records.
Dan Vapid and The Cheats – “The Time We Get”
On March 15th, Dan Vapid and The Cheats will release their latest album, titled Three. We’re premiering the record’s debut single below, “The Time We Get.” When asked about the writing and recording process for this full-length, singer/guitarist Dan Vapid described the various hurdles the band faced. He explained, “I’ve been writing songs since our last record. Writing is the easy part of the process for me since it can be done at home. The issue I kept facing was scheduling rehearsal and recording time while juggling three kids, a new job, and selling and buying a home. It took a lot of effort, but we figured out a way to get it done. With many of the sessions for this record, I was putting the kids to bed, then driving 45 minutes to St. Louis, tracking for two or three hours and then driving back home so I could work the following morning. It was crazy but I got through it.”
“The Time We Get” was actually the last song written for the album and was finished only a few weeks prior to being recorded. While addressing some of the things that inspired the song, Vapid said “Like I mentioned earlier, I had so much on my plate, music kept getting placed on the back burner. I find life is often this way. So much happens in our day-to-day lives that has a way of obstructing the very things we would rather be doing. We need to be cognizant of this. Whether we live to see old age or die tomorrow, we will never know. Hence, do the best with the time you get.”
Take a listen to the song now and preorder the album via Eccentric Pop Records here.
Shot Baker – “Ode to Kerouac”
This Saturday, Shot Baker is playing at Beat Kitchen with Vacation Bible School, The Eradicator, No Enemy!, and Mofaza. They’re also releasing a new EP on the same day, courtesy of Underground Communiqué Records, called Crack in the Code. When asked about the origins of this EP, singer Tony Kovacs provided a detailed backstory. He said, “In 2009, we were on an East coast tour with Naked Raygun when we parted ways with our guitarist John Krohn over retrospectively stupid shit that we probably could have mended. But, tensions can run high on tour. We had a bunch of good material we wrote with John that we ended up scrapping. In his place we got Steven Jenkins and started fresh, writing all new material. In 2011, we were very close to recording a full-length, but I kind of freaked out and decided to quit the band and move to Colorado. At that point we had good material with both John and Steven that never saw the light of day.” He continued, “Since then we’ve all made up and become friends again. In 2017, we did a reunion show with John and promoted the show as the “original lineup,” with the understanding that anything we do after that show will be a five-piece with both John and Steven on guitar. So, Crack in the Code is a handful of stuff we wrote with Steven and some stuff we wrote with John to sort of merge talents on one release and solidify Shot Baker as a five-piece band.”
We’re premiering the video for one of the EP’s songs below, called “Ode to Kerouac.” When describing his motivations for writing the song, Kovacs said “At surface level, it’s a huge dis to Jack Kerouac. But despite the scornful lyrics, I view it as a proper homage. It’s really just a dis on myself. When I study Kerouac, I notice patterns, fears and mistakes that remind me of myself. I read the ramblings of a guy who had his head and heart pointed in the right direction, but ultimately flopped. His adventures in Buddhism and his glorification of society’s undesirables is hugely influential, but he wasn’t able to maintain his convictions. He ended up dying a lonely, anti-Semitic, right-wing alcoholic.” He added, “In one of his books, a Zen master told him that he has ‘Zen flesh but no Zen bones,’ (a line I use in the song) which really shook him to his core. Turns out the Zen master was right. So, through my own Buddhist studies and other adventures, I’ve picked up on certain insights that I know have to be properly cultivated or they’ll be lost. I don’t think I’ll become an anti-Semitic alcoholic, but I’m pretty lousy at converting insights into lifestyle.”
When looking ahead to Saturday’s show, Kovacs commented “I used to work at Beat Kitchen and Shot Baker had some of our most memorable shows there, so I’m excited to play for nostalgic reasons. But mostly I’m looking forward to the energy of a roomful of people who care about these songs we made. That’s an amazing feeling.” The show starts at 8:00 PM, is 17+ and tickets can be purchased here.
AM Taxi – Shiver by Me
Self-released – Release Date: 1/25/19
Last month, AM Taxi released their first new music in over two years and their first full-length since 2010, called Shiver by Me. Recorded by Joe Gac and Shane Hendrickson, and mixed by Sean O’Keefe, the album captures the energy of the band’s live shows and takes elements of their past work and pushes it forward. The record gets underway with “Saint Jane,” an energetic opening track that’s propelled by the skillful bass lines of Jason Schultejann. Its lyrics are slightly self-deprecating, but also talk about making the best of a bad situation. “Harpoon” utilizes a unique back-and-forth tempo to establish its mood, while guitarist Jay Marino delivers an inventive solo that likely represents the album’s best lead guitar work. “Movie About Your Life” is one of the most accessible songs here, with an acoustic intro that naturally transitions to an exceptionally catchy chorus. Its message urges listeners to lead a passion-filled existence, (“If they made a movie about your life, would anybody see it twice? / Are the characters and the plot worth the ticket price?”). At the midway point, a subtle electric guitar lead emerges, welcoming the rest of band to join in and spotlighting the talents of drummer Chris Smith. The whole group goes through the chorus one last time before ending the song at the perfect spot, leaving the listener wanting just a little more.
“Stuck Around” is an up-tempo, Springsteen-esque rocker, led by the urgent and assured vocals of singer/guitarist Adam Krier. Of all the songs on Shiver by Me, it’s probably most similar to their first record, but sounds like more of a natural progression from that point. “Shaken over You” is arguably the most ambitious song on the album, complete with a danceable rhythm, piano accents and creative songwriting. There’s also trombone and saxophone parts included, which are reminiscent of Pleased to Meet Me-era Replacements. The record concludes with “Warsaw Blues,” a somber track that laments a strained relationship, (“Warsaw Blues and the rhythm holds you tight / the melody was there but the timing wasn’t right”). Former members Luke Schmitt, (keyboards and backing vocals) and John Schmitt, (backing vocals) lend a hand to help solidify this climactic closing song.
Shiver by Me contains elements of punk, classic rock and power pop, but it’s really the impressive songwriting and musicianship that shine through most. There’s also plenty of diversity amongst these songs, most of which feature big hooks that were seemingly written with ease. With this album, AM Taxi has taken a significant step forward in evolving their sound. They’ve also produced a collection of songs that are tailor-made for live shows, a setting where this band is at its best.
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