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Sam Russo – Refuse to Lose
Red Scare – Release Date: 4/23/21
Last month, Sam Russo released a surprise EP via Red Scare, called Refuse to Lose. With his previous full-length, Back to the Party, being released in March of 2020, Russo wanted to show his appreciation for everyone who listened to the album during the pandemic. So, he recorded these three songs, all of which are full band interpretations of tracks from Back to the Party. In addition to Russo, the lineup on this EP consists of Chris Stockings on guitar, Garth Vickers on drums, and Alkaline Trio bassist Dan Andriano.
The first entry is an energetic rendition of “The Window.” Despite the added instrumentation, Russo’s voice is still the most prominent element and his assured vocals pave the way during the anthemic chorus. The rest of the band provides a spirited and lively arrangement, elevating a song that was already great and making it even better. “The Basement” is a solemn, introspective number that’s reminiscent of early 2000s emo. Its lyrics are especially personal and read almost like a confessional as Russo reflects on an impactful relationship from the past. The rhythm section really shines on this track, delivering a multitude of unique tempos that keep things interesting throughout. The final song, “Young Heroes,” is upbeat and undeniably catchy, but the earnest nature of Russo’s songwriting is still retained. The song fittingly builds to a rousing sing-a-long and in the best possible way, leaves the listener wanting more.
Refuse to Lose demonstrates the quality of Russo’s songs, as they’re equally enjoyable in either a solo acoustic style or with a full band. Given how well this EP came together, it should be interesting to see what direction Russo opts for on his next release. Until then, those that have yet to sample his two most recent offerings should definitely take this opportunity to do so.
Alkaline Trio – E.P.
Epitaph – Release Date: 3/19/20
Last week, Alkaline Trio released a new, three-song single, titled E.P. It was supposed to coincide with the start of a tour with Bad Religion, but with the shows postponed till fall, the band chose to go forward with the initial release date for these songs. The first entry, “Minds Like Minefields,” is led by singer/guitarist Matt Skiba and begins with ominous, echoed vocals. A rhythmic verse soon emerges, not unlike the style of their 1999 EP, I Lied My Face Off. It quickly pivots to a double-time chorus before eventually landing at an instrumental interlude. This section features ghostly backing vocals and sparse piano accents, and ultimately returns to the breakneck pace of the chorus. Overall, it’s not a typical song structure, but it illustrates how the band is freely exploring new territories and seemingly having a lot of fun while doing so.
Singer/bassist Dan Andriano takes the lead on the next song, “Radio Violence,” which sounds like a natural progression from his most recent solo LP, Party Adjacent. It finds him singing over relaxed, melodic guitar leads that easily transition to a driving chorus with layered backing vocals. It’s concisely-written and includes lyrics that talk about persevering through a tough situation, and clearly that’s something most everyone can relate to nowadays. The third and final song, “Smokestack,” is entirely acoustic and also sung by Andriano. It’s reminiscent of Tuesday, his band prior to Alkaline Trio, with lyrics that look back on his teenage years, (“Do you really believe that didn’t mean anything? / Do you really believe those days didn’t mean a thing? / Cause I’m still believing that means everything / Do you really believe those days didn’t mean a thing? / Cause I sure don’t / You made my life / You changed my life”). There’s a definite beauty in the straightforwardness of these words, which helps to make the song instantly memorable after just one listen.
With E.P., Alkaline Trio is continuing on the trajectory they’ve established since the release of their excellent and most recent full-length, Is This Thing Cursed? These three songs harken back to the band’s roots, recalling a time when they embraced more spontaneity and a carefree attitude. If E.P. is any indication as to where Alkaline Trio is headed with their next album, then fans should absolutely be excited.
The Falcon
Cover photo by Katie Hovland and Layout by David Holtz
Next month, The Falcon is set to release its first album in nearly a decade. We met up with singer/guitarist Brendan Kelly at the GMan Tavern to discuss the record in detail. We talked about the band’s new guitarist, Dave Hause, and how his contributions helped to shape the album’s sound. Original members Dan Andriano, (Alkaline Trio) and Neil Hennessy, (The Lawrence Arms) are of course still onboard for the ride. We also spoke about how the record was written, what it was like recording with Dan Tinkler at Atlas Studios and how the album’s cover came to be. Additionally, we conversed about the record’s dark lyrical content and how it mirrors the style of the music. Longtime fans will be eager to find the band exploring new sounds, but at the same time retaining the characteristics that they’re best known for. By all accounts, Gather Up The Chaps finds The Falcon sounding very much revitalized and ready for take-off. Continue Reading…
Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room
Photo by Katie Hovland
Last month, the second full-length from Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room was released by Asian Man Records. Entitled Party Adjacent, the album is much more of a collaborative, full-band effort than the first Emergency Room record. We spoke with Dan about how he brought together this group of musicians and what it was like working with producer Jeff Rosenstock. We also talked about how this project compares to Dan’s principal gig as the singer/bassist for Alkaline Trio. Also discussed was the album’s writing and recording process, the meaning behind some of its songs, future touring plans and more. Continue Reading…
Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room
Photo by Katie Hovland
Last month, Alkaline Trio singer/bassist Dan Andriano released his debut solo full-length, Hurricane Season. He recorded the album in his home studio and also played a majority of the instruments himself. We spoke with Andriano about the creation of Hurricane Season, as well as what inspired some of the lyrics, his upcoming European tour and where he hopes to take The Emergency Room in the future. Continue Reading…
Alkaline Trio Interview, 2009
In 2008, Alkaline Trio released their sixth studio album and major label debut, Agony & Irony. The following year, we spoke with singer/bassist Dan Andriano and talked about how the band partnered with Epic Records, as well as how the album was recorded and its overall style. We also discussed the reissue of their first album, Goddamnit, the unexpected passing of producer Jerry Finn, Nike’s custom Alkaline Trio shoe and more. Continue Reading…
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