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The Bomb
Photos by Katie Hovland
The Bomb is a long-running Chicago punk band that formed in 1999. Since 2003, their lineup has consisted of singer Jeff Pezzati, (Naked Raygun) guitarist Jeff Dean, (All Eyes West, Dead Ending, Noise By Numbers, etc.) bassist Pete Mittler, (The Methadones) and drummer Mike Soucy, (The Methadones). This fall, The Bomb plans to release a new, yet-to-be-titled EP on No Idea Records and we spoke with Pezzati about its songs. We talked about both their lyrical content and musical style. We also discussed recording, touring, the band’s relationship with J. Robbins and more. Continue Reading…
Hot Water Music – “Turnstile”
Earlier this month, Hot Water Music released a live CD/DVD via No Idea Records. Entitled Live in Chicago, it was recorded over two nights at the Metro in February of 2008. The CD contains a total of 30 songs that span 90 minutes, while the DVD features 24 songs, including one that’s not found on the album. Live in Chicago is also available as a triple LP, on six different colors of vinyl that are limited to 550 copies each. Check out one of the songs from the DVD above, “Turnstile,” and be sure to catch Hot Water Music on their current tour with La Dispute and The Menzingers.
Small Brown Bike
Photo by Katie Hovland
Small Brown Bike formed in Marshall, Michigan in 1996. They went on to release two full-lengths with No Idea and another with Lookout! Records before disbanding in 2004. The band got back together three years later and just last month released their first new album in nearly eight years, entitled Fell & Found. We met with singer/guitarist Mike Reed after Small Brown Bike’s recent show at Subterranean and discussed the new record, the band’s relationship with No Idea, Krazy Fest and more. The band’s lineup also includes guitarist/singer Travis Dopp, bassist/singer Ben Reed and drummer Dan Jaquint.
Small Brown Bike – Fell & Found
No Idea Records – Release Date: 4/26/11
Having reunited in 2009 after a five-year hiatus, Small Brown Bike is back with Fell & Found, their first new album in nearly eight years. It features the band’s original lineup and was produced by J Robbins at Chicago’s Million Yen Studios. Robbins, best known for his work with Jets to Brazil, The Dismemberment Plan and Promise Ring, did a great job of understanding Small Brown Bike’s vision and really bringing these songs to life. In some ways, Fell & Found differs from their prior work in that there’s less distortion on the guitars and cleaner-sounding vocals, but the music still hits just as hard when it needs to. In other words, the band has mastered its dynamics, recognizing when to play soft and when to play loud, which anchors the songwriting and allows for further experimentation. Above all, this record is a complete work that’s both layered and well-executed. At times it’s reminiscent of some of the finer post-punk that was being made in the mid-‘90s, but it also sounds like they put a contemporary spin on the positive characteristics they were previously known for. One thing that’s apparent upon first listen is the creative and powerful drumming of Dan Jaquint. It truly sets the tone for the entire album and does a good job of complimenting the plodding, burly bass work of Ben Reed. Not to be outdone, guitarists Travis Dopp and Mike Reed provide frequent outstanding guitar leads, while the lyrics are likely to be memorized after only a handful of listens. Small Brown Bike has returned with a vengeance and it sounds as though they never took a break. Fell & Found is thus far one of the best records of 2011 and one of the most memorable that No Idea has put out in some time, and that’s saying something.
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