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Ritual – The Musical
In July of last year, The Reaganomics singer/guitarist Terry Morrow began writing a musical as he found himself in need of an artistic outlet during the pandemic. After revisiting a short story called “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, Morrow started pairing various musical concepts with themes from the story. In regards to his motivations for doing so, Morrow explained “The current state of ‘things’ in our country got me thinking about rituals, and how we as a society do a lot of swallowing of ritual, rarely questioning or considering why we do the things we do. We do a lot of things because ‘that’s just the way it is.’ Ritual is engrained in all of us and I’m fascinated by it. People are born and grow up in a culture that is capable of harvesting growth and beauty, but also ignorance and evil. The 2020 election, George Floyd, quarantine…it all left me feeling a lot of anxiety and unrest, and I wanted to channel it into something creative and expressive.”
After outlining the project and making several demos on his computer, Morrow’s next step was to collaborate with other musicians. It was at this point that the musical really began to take shape. “In the beginning, it felt like a typical demo that very well could never see the light of day. Then Erica Marfo was kind enough to sing ‘Nowheretown.’ She emailed her track to me since we were both in quarantine and stuck at home,” Morrow said. He continued, “Hearing a talent like Erica take my song and elevate it the way she did really gave it life and inspired me to keep pushing. It also felt validating to hear a melody I wrote being performed by someone else. I actually felt like I was listening to a musical, which was previously uncharted territory for me as a songwriter.”
Upon completion of the musical, Morrow selected “Nowheretown” as the first song to be released. In terms of his reasoning for choosing it, he said “From the first hits of the song, you feel the anticipation and the energy, and by the time the choir welcomes Erica’s lead vocal, you’re on the train and it doesn’t stop. It’s definitely one of the happier and rocking songs in a show that otherwise gets very deep and very dark. Also, it lets the listener know that the main character, Tessie, as played by Erica, has a hankering to get out of town and pursue a more fulfilling life.”
Check out “Nowheretown” below and be sure to grab tickets for the debut of Ritual in early 2022. It’s scheduled to take place on February 18th and 19th at Reggie’s Bananna’s Comedy Shack and tickets can be purchased here and here.
The Reaganomics – The Aging Punk
Red Scare – Release Date: 12/13/19
Last month, The Reaganomics released their first album since 2011 and second for Red Scare, called The Aging Punk. The band is known for their humorous lyrics and proficient musicianship, and both of these traits are found in abundance on this record. The first song, “The Four Clichés,” pokes fun at many of the current trends in the punk rock community, (“I wanna write a good punk song this year / I need to find out what is hip / If I want to write a punk song this year / I better start with the generic shit”). It features dueling melodic guitar leads in its closing minute and also finds the band directing their humor inward, proving they don’t take themselves too seriously. “Dear Jaymez,” as in James Hetfield, is an ode to Metallica that many longtime metal fans are sure to relate to. It mocks some of the group’s flawed albums like Reload and St. Anger, and also boasts a lightning-fast, intricate guitar solo that would likely make Kirk Hammett proud. The song even manages to end with a thrashy outro that recalls the stylings of Metallica’s classic first four records. “Grown Ass Man” is one of album’s funniest tracks, addressing midlife crisis with a menacing bass line and an old school punk vibe. The song just might be all too applicable for those who prefer standing in the back during shows, (“I’m busting out of my jeans / My hairline recedes / There’s a growth on my back and a crick in my knees”). Another notable entry is “Summer Maiden,” which tells the tale of a group of friends who go to see Iron Maiden in the suburbs of Chicago. It includes some of the record’s best guitar leads and strongest drumming, culminating in a full display of this foursome’s love of metal. The Aging Punk finds The Reaganomics significantly surpassing their previous work, both in terms of their songwriting and performances. Producer Dan Tinkler also did an excellent job behind the boards, providing a clean yet powerful recording. Fans of Chicago punk, ‘80s metal or Andrew W.K. shouldn’t delay in checking out this album.
V/A – 10 Years of Your Dumb Bullshit
Artwork by Miguel Angel Echemendia
Red Scare Industries – Release Date: 9/22/14
Ten years ago, former Fat Wreck Chords employee Tobias Jeg was living in San Francisco when The Falcon expressed that they were looking for a new label to release its debut EP, God Don’t Make No Trash or Up Your Ass with Broken Glass. Jeg put it out and Red Scare Industries was born. Ten Years of Your Dumb Bullshit showcases 17 new songs by bands that Red Scare has lifted up and out of the basements over the past decade. Starting the compilation is the catchy occult-themed track, “Pyramids” by The Lillingtons, the first new recording in eight years by Red Scare’s longest-running band. Following that, The Falcon pops in for 1:43 after six years with “We Are the Bald,” an upbeat yet self-deprecating song that’s difficult not to crack a smile at. Masked Intruder offers up “I Don’t Mind,” a song about being so malleable in a relationship that death is the only way the subject can get rid of the suitor. The Copyrights, who just released a full-length on Red Scare, offer up the shortest and one of the most melodic songs on the compilation, “Oedipus Dill,” clocking in at 1:25. Teenage Bottlerocket keeps it straightforward with “TV Set,” a simple song about being overwhelmed by and sick of television. Elgin, Illinois’ Brokedowns really stand out with “Ouija Jive,” which sounds like a B-side to the Species Bender recording session that should have made it on the album. The Reaganomics come back after four years with “Bite Your Tongue,” a pop punk track about self-righteous individuals who post on the internet trying to change the world, but only end up sounding ignorant. One of Red Scare’s first bands, Cobra Skulls, contributes an angst-laced song sung in Spanish called “No Puede Mas,” which translates to “I’ve Had Enough.” The Methadones played their last show in 2010, but chalk up a new tune called “Trip Wire,” reminiscent of The Ramones, but with the Methadones’ refreshing signature power pop style. The comp’s tone mellows out a bit with “The Wallflowers,” a melodic indie jam by The Sidekicks. Brendan Kelly makes a second appearance on vocals with “Gluesday Evening Blues” by his band Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds – quite a bit slower and folkier than The Falcon. Great new tracks by Elway, Nothington, Enemy You, Direct Hit! and Druglords of the Avenues round out this compilation nicely. The album ends on a soft, sobering note with an acoustic song called “Forever West” by one of the newest additions to the Red Scare family, Sam Russo. His poetic, somber tone gives a great balance to this heavily punk-driven compilation. Check out the Red Scare Records 10-year anniversary show this Saturday at the Metro at 3:45 PM, featuring The Falcon, The Lillingtons, The Methadones (reunion show), Masked Intruder, Enemy You, The Sidekicks, Teenage Bottlerocket, Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds, The Holy Mess, Direct Hit!, Elway, The Brokedowns and The Reaganomics.
– Jason Duarte
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