Archives:
Twenty Years of Red Scare
Last Friday, Red Scare released a 17-song compilation titled 20 Years of Dreaming and Scheming, which of course commemorates the record label’s 20th anniversary. In addition to the compilation, they’re also marking the event with release shows this month in Chicago, Wisconsin, Portland, Seattle and Las Vegas. We recently spoke with label cofounder Toby Jeg about reaching this impressive milestone. We discussed how he went about putting this compilation together, what he’s looking forward to about the upcoming release parties, the future of Red Scare and more.
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The Menzingers – Some of It Was True
Epitaph – Release Date: 10/13/23
The Menzingers released their seventh studio album last month and in doing so, have retained their signature characteristics, while simultaneously breaking new ground. With much of their previous lyrical content rooted in nostalgia, this record deals more with events taking place in the present. There’s also an increased amount of confidence in the songwriting, which helps the songs to naturally sound more a bit more mature.
Album opener “Hope is a Dangerous Little Thing” places singer/guitarist Greg Barnett’s vocals front and center, and he continues to evolve and improve with each record. In many ways this song is classic Menzingers, infectious and catchy, but an older, wiser version of the band. “There’s No Place in This World for Me” finds them in top form, seamlessly blending punk and heartland rock. There’s even a sing-along outro that evokes hints of Naked Raygun.
“Nobody Stays” is an energetic entry, led by singer/guitarist Tom May, and one that mixes indie and alt-rock influences in a really unique way. Its lyrics talk about how nothing is permanent and the importance of enjoying the moment, and this theme is reinforced throughout the album. “Try” is another song penned by May and it’s steered by a phenomenal guitar lead that conjures memories of their second album, Chamberlain Waits. It features guitar leads that spring at the listener from all angles and sounds like a modern interpretation of their early years.
“Come on Heartache” is an expertly-crafted, midtempo number and likely one of the best songs they’ve written to date. Barnett petitions against having his heart broken again, while the band sounds especially comfortable moving at a slower pace. It’s the sort of song that years from now could likely be looked back on as a major turning point for the band. Other songs that successfully employ new influences include “Ultraviolet,” “Alone in Dublin” and “I Didn’t Miss You (Until You Were Gone).”
Some of It Was True sees The Menzingers growing up, but not in a way that’s necessarily predictable. They continue to push their sound and lyrics further, and do so with purpose. Ultimately, this is a record that not only effectively ties together their previous efforts, but one that positions them for a favorable future.
The Menzingers – Hello Exile
Epitaph – Release Date: 10/04/19
On their previous album, 2017’s After the Party, The Menzingers made significant strides in evolving their sound and advancing their songwriting. With Hello Exile, they’ve raised the bar again, a feat that most bands rarely accomplish. In short, they remain committed to breaking new ground and are remarkably consistent and successful in doing so. The record begins with “America (You’re Freaking Me Out),” which is undeniably one of the strongest songs they’ve ever written. While not overtly political, it really captures what it feels like to be living in America right now and also features a huge yet seemingly unforced chorus. “Strangers Forever” presents a unique, alternating rhythm and lyrics that address a dissolved relationship. The back and forth nature of the tempo mimics the conflicting emotions that often occur in situations such as this. Additionally, the song is a great example of their continued growth with crafting layered and intricate arrangements.
“Portland” is one of the more upbeat songs on the album, with numerous melodic guitar leads present throughout. It’s catchy without being predictable and includes a rousing, shout-along chorus. “Strain Your Memory” examines a relationship at a crossroads and contains some of the record’s most heartfelt lyrics. It’s mature, slightly suggestive of late ‘70s Tom Petty and seems much shorter than its actual duration of four minutes. Without question, it’s one of the top songs on Hello Exile. Another noteworthy track is “Strawberry Mansion,” a somewhat throwback to their earlier sound that embraces a subtle Clash influence.
The album is brought to a close with “Farewell Youth,” a somber entry that details the passing of a close friend. In many ways, it’s the perfect album closer as it represents a letting go of the past while simultaneously looking to the future. This same feeling is reflected in the evolution that The Menzingers continually display on Hello Exile. The end result is not only their most adult record to date, but also one of their most comprehensive.
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The Menzingers @ Metro, 3/03/17
The Menzingers at Metro in Chicago
Last month, The Menzingers headlined a sold-out show at the Metro, playing in support of their recently released album, After the Party. Much like the record itself, the band displayed signs of maturation throughout their set, playing to the crowd and delivering numerous fan-favorites with ease. They opened with “Tellin’ Lies,” the leadoff track from their latest full-length and quickly segued into their 2014 hit, “I Don’t Wanna Be an Asshole Anymore.” They then proceeded to play four songs from their breakout record On the Impossible Past, with “Good Things” receiving the largest crowd response. From there, they reached back to 2010 and performed “Time Tables,” elevating the amount of audience participation to another level. Additional highlights included “Rodent,” “The Obituaries” and two of the best songs off After the Party, “Midwestern States” and “Your Wild Years.” The band left the stage briefly after playing nearly 20 songs and returned for a rousing, three-song encore, consisting of “Lookers,” “Casey” and “In Remission.” In short, The Menzingers delivered an impressive and comprehensive set, leaving fans thoroughly satisfied and already anticipating the next time they roll through town. Be sure to check out their recent national television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly here.
The Menzingers – After the Party
Epitaph – Release Date: 2/03/17
Earlier this month, The Menzingers released their fifth album, marking their most mature and detailed collection of songs yet. As the record’s title implies, most of its songs talk about growing older, with some looking in the review and others focused on moving forward. Either way, this album’s lyrics clearly represent the band’s strongest to date. Similarly, the songwriting has also noticeably elevated, which makes sense given that it’s been three years since the release of their last full-length. “Thick as Thieves” is the first notable entry, with its crafty lyrics, (“I held up a liquor store/Demanding top-shelf metaphors”) and massive-sounding guitars, courtesy of producer Will Yip. “Lookers” is up next and it’s one of the catchiest songs they’ve ever written, complete with melodic guitar leads, Kerouac references and a healthy dose of nostalgia. “Midwestern States” addresses topical issues and describes a young couple trying to make it, (“We both got worthless diplomas from worthless universities/Two bachelors in worthless studies, but at least it made our parents happy”). “Your Wild Years” reminisces about a past love and enjoys arguably the record’s most memorable hook, while the title track appropriately includes all of the band’s best attributes, (descriptive lyrics, raw emotion and a fist-pumping, shout-along chorus). With After the Party, The Menzingers have managed to mature stylishly and not lose sight of what made them so appealing to begin with. It’s their most complete record so far and one that simply demonstrates a band in top form.
Elway
Elway recently embarked on a pair of tours and we spoke with singer/guitarist Tim Browne just before the band hit the road. Besides their scheduled shows, we also discussed their second album Leavetaking, which was released last year on Red Scare Industries. We talked about how it was recorded, the meaning behind its title and the record’s overall theme. In addition, we conversed about how most of the band recently moved to Chicago, their relationship with Red Scare 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.
The Menzingers
Photo by Katie Hovland
The Menzingers recently issued their debut album for Epitaph, titled On the Impossible Past. The Scranton, Pennsylvania band has toured extensively over the last several years, releasing a significant amount of quality music along the way, and as a result have become one of the most popular bands in independent punk rock. Their new record features improved musicianship and experimentation with different genres, yet simultaneously encompasses all the things that fans have come to love about the band. We spoke with singer/guitarist Greg Barnett and discussed the group’s new label, what recording the album was like and what some of its songs are about. We also talked about their recent shows in Australia, the various tours that they have scheduled later this year and more. Continue Reading…
The Menzingers
Photo by Katie Hovland
The Menzingers
Photo by Katie Hovland
The Menzingers are a rare example of a band that lives up to the hype. They’re proficient with both their songwriting and live performances, and despite their youth, they make what they do look easy. In April of this year, they released their breakout album and Red Scare debut, Chamberlain Waits. We caught up with singer/guitarists Greg Barnett and Tom May at the second annual Windy City Sound Clash and discussed the details of their new album, as well as record label dealings, tour stories and more. Continue Reading…
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