Category: Band/Artist Profile

An in-depth look at bands and solo artists

The Ups and Downs of Turnover

Post author By Michelangelo
Post date November 17, 2022

"Myself in the Way" by Turnover cover art

Turnover, once emo, once indie rock, now synth pop has been through many dramatic changes.

Their newest album, “Myself in the Way” has certainly been the biggest change yet. For better or for worse, Turnover has stepped entirely away from their humble emo-rock roots and is evolving into a highly synthentizer oriented band.

Past Work and Criticism

To give some history, this is not the first time Turnover has had a genre shift. Their 2019 album, “Altogether” was quite controversial due to their sudden departure from indie rock.

“Altogether” is provided many new sounds and tones from Turnover that throughly diversified and matured their overall discography. Although it was a shift, it still referenced their previous work.

However, “Altogether” was poorly received in comparison to their previous albums, “Peripheral Vision” and “Good Nature”.

In Pitchfork’s review of “Altogether” they claimed, “Turnover shot themselves in the foot at the get-go. They hoped for an album that was simple, but the banality that manifested instead was a pretty inevitable side effect.”

I as much as I enjoyed the sounds that emerged in “Altogether”, I was surprised to see them step even further away from their more popular genres.

“Peripheral Vision” was an undeniably solid indie rock album. They finally came into their voice in this album, it is hard to imagine them stepping away from it. In stead of doubling down and producing another solid rock album, they decided to explore. I don’t blame them for that.

“Altogether” was a successful exploration. “Myself in the Way” took that exploration a step too far– the result creating an unfamiliar band that is hard to connect to.

“Myself in the Way”

I have been a fan of all of Turnover’s work up until this newest album.

They have stripped themselves of all the authenticity and skill seen in “Peripheral Vision” and “Altogether” and replaced it with a hollow mess of synthesizers and autotune.

The album has been described as a blend of dream pop, disco, funk, and synth pop. Simply no reference to their perilous genres they have spent their entire careers developing.

I appreciate and admire artists that defy expectations and try something new, but Turnover is not building upon their strengths. They have ignored their best moments and amplified their worst.

For example, Turnover’s lyrics have always been on the borderline of genuine or hollow– and unfortunately the lyricism in this album is quite a disappointment. Track, “Fantasy” is the prime example of this,

“What’s your fantasy
I’d really like to know
What you’re thinking about
When your smile starts to show”

To highlight a positive, track “Wait Too Long” was a favorite on the album. Although it had very distracting, conflicting backing tracks, it was nice to hear a nice bass line and some reference to the sounds in “Altogether”.

One of the failures of Turnover in their previous work and in this release, was inserting unnecessary instruments into their songs. In track, “People That We Know” there is a rambunctious, bold trumpet line.

In the right song with deliberate placement– brass lines can take a good song to a great song. Although, in this scenario it is too timid to be the highlight yet too frequent that it takes away from the song.

To summarize, this album was disappointing and distracting.

This album truly made me doubt the overall skill of this band. Was he success of the past few albums just a fluke? Have they abandoned their roots entirely? I sincerely hope not.

Final Thoughts

I am quite interested to see how this album will be received by the general public.

Turnover has been one of my favorite bands for quite some time, but has lost some of that love in this release. I sincerely hope they return to some of the sounds in their past.

However, bands change and music change. If this is the new avenue for Turnover and this is the genre that brings them passion– so be it.

If you would like to hear more of Turnover and see them perform, they will be touring at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro Dec. 15.

Tags turnover

Band/Artist Profile Classic Album Review

“Black Shark” by Hammer No More The Fingers

Post author By Michelangelo
Post date November 14, 2022

E. Duncan Webster of Hammer No More The Fingers. Photo by Elizabeth Lemon. Used under Creative Commons License

I was first introduced to Hammer No More The Fingers during my discussion with Jeremy Leonard, NC State architecture professor and former WKNC DJ.

Emerging in the mid 2000’s, this band is pure indie rock power.

As I learned within my discussion with Jeremy, there was limited means or finding new and underground artists just a decade ago. WKNC was a leading platform for finding under exposed artists and local bands such as this one.

One of the initial break-throughs for this band was at WKNC’s very own Double Barrel Benefit.

Not only is this band musically extraordinary, but it local to the triangle area– emerging from Durham, NC.

Members, Duncan Webster, Joe Hall and Jeff Stickley formed the band after their graduation from UNC Chapel Hill and East Carolina University in 2007.

They thrived in the local Durham scene. Later touring across North Carolina and the US.

Upon listening to their discography, I was surprised we are not talking about them more at WKNC and beyond.

To highlight some of their success, I will be doing a dive into their 2011 album, “Black Shark”.

Ambitious, robust and high energy, this album will not disappoint.

“Black Shark” Review

“Black Shark” by Hammer No More The Fingers cover art

This band is a great example of the power and versatility of a guitar, some drums and a voice.

This three piece band is able to create such rich and fulfilling tracks through timeless elements and skill.

Right out of the gate, “Atlas of an Eye” displays their indisputable harmony and skill together. There is a clear distinction between bands that have been performing together for years and those that collided recently.

This trio has been performing together since 1994– giving this album confidence and harmony that can only be achieve through consistent collaboration and time.

One aspect I adore about this band is the vocal harmonies they achieve. Especially in opening track, “Atlas of an Eye” they achieve some beautiful vocal layering and echos. This layering is reflected in overlapping waves of strings and percussion.

Simply a great opening track. It builds so much momentum for the album to come.

Track number 3, “Shark” was the true hook for me in this album. The chorus is so strong. This track alone captures the energy and style of Hammer No More The Fingers– simple elements, unhinged skill.

I love that this band does not over complicate their lyrics. This is true for every song, but I particularly love the lyrics in “Shark”.

Further into the album, “It’s About Caring” has some of my favorite guitar lines. This track has very melancholy vocal work, giving the album an angsty, emo rock undertone. This weighty angst is contrasted beautifully with heavy guitar.

The strings are the star in this track.

Continuing the outstanding guitar work, prior track “Steam” is high energy and well balanced. All three band members shine here. This track feels like the true climax of the album– although every track competes for this title.

“Steam” has some the best moments of collaboration in the album.

This collaboration results in the highest energy in the album. The ending section combines all the strengths of the band– vocal harmonies, strong guitar and solid drums.

Simple elements executed with excellence.

Final track, “Fingernails”, is perhaps the most perfect ending for such a well crafted album. It provides low and high energy moments to lift the listener out of the album while reflecting on the best moments.

There are many tracks on this album that I did not mention, but they are truly all fantastic.

Concluding Thoughts

Many leading indie rock artists tend to over complicate music. In our modern world, there are so many resources and endless elements that can both enhance and diminish music.

Bands like Hammer No More The Fingers give a refreshing reminder that great music can be achieved without any excessive elements or fancy tools.

The true excellence in music comes from the passion to create and collaboration.

If you would like to listen to more of Hammer No More the Fingers, they have two other fantastic albums, “Looking for Bruce” and self titled, “Hammer No More the Fingers”.

There are simply and unbelievable about of talent within the triangle area, look forward to more local band reviews in the near future.

Tags hammer no more the fingers, local

Band/Artist Profile

Four Fantastic Woman Led Bands

Post author By Michelangelo
Post date November 4, 2022

made by author

This goes without saying, but there are an unfathomable amount of talent within the music industry.

These four bands in particular have brought me a newfound appreciation for the skill, creativity and diversity of women voices in the indie rock world.

Although this is just scratching the surface, these selections have been frequenting my queue time and time again. Ranging from punk, pop, emo and psychedelic, these bands exemplify some of the upcoming voices in the indie world. I hope you enjoy.

Warehouse

“super low” album cover art by Warehouse

Warehouse is an Atlanta based indie rock and punk band.

What sets this band apart of all others is the richness and power of Elaine Edenfield lead vocals. Stripped and rugged, her androgynist voice taps into grudge influences while holding an identity entirely of its own.

Warehouse notes Pylon, another phenomenal female led punk band from Georgia, as being one of their most prominent influences. Warehouse embodies the experimental essence of Pylon in a renewed timeliness.

With talented strings to match, this band hits hard. Below are some of my favorite tracks by Warehouse:

“Super Low“, “Oscillator” and “Succession.”

Lime Garden

“Bitter” cover art by Lime Garden

This pop rock quartet from Brighton is energetic, explorative and simply spectacular. Lime Garden is made of drummer Annabel Whittle, guitarist Leila Deeley, guitarist Chloe Howard and bassist Tippi Morgan.

These four ladies each bring a different musical background to the table, together forming a sound greater than its individual parts. This variety of musical background brought a lot of challenges for the band, but ultimately resulted in a richer, layered sound in their releases.

This band utilizes synthesizers beautifully, highlighting only the best parts of their sound without drowning out the pure instruments. Below are some of my favorites:

“Bitter” and “Sick & Tired.”

Sweet Pill

Sweet Pill, “Where the Heart Is” album art

Sweet Pill is an alternative emo band from Philadelphia. Lead singer, Zayna Youssef has quickly become one of my favorite voices after their newest release, “Where the Heart Is” earlier this year.

Dynamic and powerful, Zayna provides a refreshing voice to the musical world. Listening to this band is simply stress relieving.

Lyrically they are aggressive and confident. Lyrics that are carried beautifully through Zayna’s vocals. She has so much emotion and strength within her voice– the classic angst of emo bands is replaced with unapologetically bold passion through her performance.

With strong bass and drums to match, Sweet Pill provides a striking performance for our listening pleasure:

“Blood,” “Where the Heart Is” and “Cut.”

Goat Girl

“On All Fours” album cover art by Goat Girl

This quartet from London provides a mix of psychedelic, pop and rock elements in their genre bending discography.

Members, Lottie Cream, L.E.D, Holly Hole and Rosy Bones, combine their passion for music and social activism to produce songs that highlight society flaws and shortcomings. In their 2021 album, “On All Fours”, is an exploration into some of these societial themes.

Goat Girl creates music that is both deeply meaningful and contagiously energetic.

In their earlier releases they have a more angsty and heavy lyricism and musical style that is matured in there newest album. This dichotomy is really refreshing in their overall discography. Here are some of my picks:

“Creep,” “Mighty Despair” and “Pest.”

Tags Band Spotlight, bands, music recommendations, woman led

Band/Artist Profile

Obscure Artists: Douglas Für

Post author By J
Post date October 30, 2022

Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.

Douglas Für, based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, presents one of the most compellingly raw and unhinged folk-punk sounds in the genre.

A former member of anarchist folk punk band Ramshackle Glory, Für is no stranger to neurotic rhythms and irreverent lyrics. With a solo career spanning between July of 2015 and August of 2016, Für plumbs the depths of his psyche to produce a curio collection of sounds across three solo albums.

Discography

Für’s three albums, the dried up rivers will be the mass graves of tomorrow, Curses and Spells of Protection and Death Has 1000 Ears illustrate a strange sort of continuity in his independent work.

The jagged, lilting melodies of his first album carry into the energy of his second, where the only marked difference in sound is the album’s elevated production quality.

However, where the dried up rivers will be the mass graves of tomorrow functions well as a standalone project, Für’s last two albums are directly connected.

Both share the songs “Curses” and “Sugar on Your Teeth,” though with distinctly different sounds. Curses and Spells of Protection presents a slower, almost sluggish narrative.

In “Curses,” Für’s rust-tinged vocals seem to snag upon the edges of the accompaniment, an assortment of string instruments whose melodies seem to churn as the song progresses.

Conversely, “Sugar on Your Teeth” is frantic, maddened and markedly discordant.

While the lyrics to “Curses” and “Sugar on Your Teeth” are the same in Death Has 1000 Ears, the delivery is completely different.

With a cleaner, clearer production quality, the album lacks the rugged edge of its predecessors. The tone is strongly jovial throughout with tinges of theatricism, a strong incovation of classic barroom ballads.

“Curses” is virtually unrecognizable between the two albums, with Death Has 1000 Ears presenting the song with a faster tempo and more lyrical delivery.

The same can be said of “Sugar on Your Teeth,” which presents a far tamer iteration of its original source material.

Cover for the album the dried up rivers will be the mass graves of tomorrow

Bad on Purpose

All the same, the entirety of Für’s work embodies a uniquely savage sound.

And by all technicalities, the music is bad. The vocals are coarse, the instruments often sharp or wailing. With the exception of Death Has 1000 Ears, the production quality is starkly lo-fi.

But therein lies what makes Für’s music so compelling. The self-made feel of Für’s work perfectly captures the core of the folk punk movement. His experimentation with the energy of classic folk sounds and the roughness of punk gives way to a strange, beautiful offspring.

His chaotic, discordant sounds express the basest of human sensations: rage, grief, passion and despair. He captures ultimate catharsis in what can only be accurately labeled as purposeful cacophony.

Douglas Für’s music is but a means of expression channeled through folk punk, a movement solidified in unyielding self-expression and imbued with a long history of tumult and resilience.

For fans of AJJ, or those who simply enjoy “bad” music, I cannot recommend Douglas Für enough.

Recommended Songs:

“Dead Twin,” “Sugar on Your Teeth” and “Shallow Cut” from Death Has 1000 Ears
“the phantom wants to know” and “the phantom speaks” from Curses and Spells of Protection (ultimate favorites)
“cold steel” and “o’ nothing” from the dried up rivers will be the mass graves of tomorrow

Tags ajj, douglas fur, folk punk, NC State, Punk, ramshackle glory, WKNC 88.1

Band/Artist Profile

Profile of the Week: Alvvays

Post author By Hüttemeister
Post date October 5, 2022

Alvvays, "Alvvays" album art

Toronto-based band Alvvays is keeping jangle pop alive. They create an extremely reverb-drenched, versatile sound that provides variety on every track but is still instantly recognizable as Alvvays.

Led by Molly Rankin on vocals and guitar, Alvvays consists of five members: Kerri MacLellan on keyboards, Alec O’Hanley on guitars, Abbey Blackwell on bass and Sheridan Riley on drums.

Alvvays emphasizes creating strong melodies rather than focusing on a specific genre. This allows for a lot of variety in each track but for their discography to be glued together by Rankin’s vocals and the bands instrumentals.

The immediately bittersweet sound created by the band is the glue that holds their discography together. As soon as Rankin begins singing on any given track, no matter how varied the sound, it becomes instantly recognizable as Alvvays.

Discography

Alvvays formed in 2011 after Rankin released her solo EP “She EP”. Their first full project was their self-titled debut album in 2014 followed by “Antisocialites” in 2017. Five years later, they are releasing their third album, “Blue Rev“, on October 7.

If you are in the mood for some bittersweet tunes on a rainy day, Alvvays has you covered. “Antisocialites” is a great place to start if you’re in the mood for an entire album.

“Antisocialites” is Alvvays’ sound honed like a sharpened sword. It’s jangly, guitar-driven and supported by sharp keyboard and drum patterns.

Alvvays, “Archie, Marry Me” music video

“Archie, Marry Me”, “Your Type”, or “Easy On Your Own?” are excellent starting places if you don’t have the energy for a full album. These tracks will instantly hook you on the bands sound and highlight each of their projects.

Their self-titled debut is not easily recognized as a debut album. “Alvvays” set the benchmark for Alvvays’ crisp sound that they have continued to live up to for almost ten years.

Their new singles for “Blue Rev” are promising a continued expansion of the sounds Alvvays encompasses. The tracks have that crisp, guitar-driven jangliness that can expected by Alvvays but bring in a pronounced Shoegaze element.

Conclusion

Each Alvvays song provides something unique to the band’s discography. This is a truly versatile band that can’t help but make a catchy song for a rainy day.

After a long five years, they are finally releasing their third album. Based on the singles, it is seemingly going to live up to the hype that has been culminated over time.

Alvvays starts touring in the United States on October 14 and “Blue Rev” releases October 7.

Tags alvvays, Band Profile, WKNC

Band/Artist Profile

Profile of the Week: Pinegrove

Post author By Hüttemeister
Post date September 21, 2022

Pinegrove, "Skylight" album cover

Something about Pinegrove stands out to me in a way that no other band does. For this reason, Pinegrove has become my most listened-to band in the past year.

Lead singer Evan Stephens Hall wants his listeners to think critically while they listen. Within the catchy, heartfelt songs and records are an entanglement of depth and meaning. As an avid climate activist, Hall uses his platform as a way to spread awareness about climate change and what we can do to stop it.

Drummer Zack Levine, guitarist Sam Skinner, guitarist Josh Marre, keyboardist Nandi Rose Plunkett, and bassist Megan Benavente make up the rest of the six-person ensemble. Each other these members help to create the flair that makes Pinegrove as special as it is.

Discography Highlights

If you’ve never listened to a Pinegrove record and want somewhere to start, “Cardinal” is what you’re looking for. In this record, I think they best exemplify their sound in its purest form. This album has Pinegrove’s most popular song and many of my favorites. It hits indie rock highs but is clearly rooted in Americana.

Pinegrove, “Cardinal” album cover

Starting with “Old Friends” and ending with “New Friends”, the message is clear: at its heart, “Cardinal” is about friendships, relationships and the movement through them. Evan’s down-to-earth and reflective lyrics are best put on display on this record.

“My steps keep splitting my grief / Through these solipsistic moods / I should call my parents when I think of them / I shoud tell my friends when I love them”
Pinegrove, “Old Friend” lyric

Released after “Cardinal”, “Skylight” is a great progression from that album. This record is less structured than their previous album but it shines because of it. The structure and instrumental progression become more free-form, allowing more room for the reflection that Pinegrove is famous for.

Pinegrove, “11:11” album art

Their latest release, “11:11” is also excellent and provides a new flair that Pinegrove was in need of after “Marigold”. This album leans more into a country sound than anything else on their discography, clearly inspired by artists like the Flying Burrito Brothers.

Still full of the internal reflection they are famous for, Pinegrove also looks outward in “11:11”. This is their most politically charged album by far and focuses on many of the problems that our world faces.

“They’re trying to ignore it / We always knew they’d try / Today the sky is orange / And you and I know why”
Pinegrove, “Orange” lyric

Pinegrove Live

I have seen Pinegrove in concert twice. The first time I saw Pinegrove was back in October of 2021 at the Haw River Ballroom in Graham, NC.

This show was what got me hooked on Pinegrove. Evan Hall’s charisma and clear passion for the music he makes really did it for me. The entire band is so in-sync while playing and the highs and lows of every song hits extra hard live.

They had just released “Orange” for their new album and Hall, wearing a DSA shirt, took a moment to talk about the ongoing climate crisis and inform the audience of ways they could go about inciting change.

He took a similar break in his show a few months later in February at the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC, an understandably more packed venue. This show was soon after the release of “11:11” and they played through the entire album.

Hearing each song live provided more depth and gave me more appreciation for each one. If you get the chance, I would definitely recommend going to see them live.

Conclusion

Pinegrove always shines a light where there could be darkness. Their songs touch on many things that in different contexts could seem hopeless but instead of basking in dread, they push forward.

Pinegrove has had a lot of personal significance to me in the past year. The hopefulness they inspire definitely helped me through some harder times. They are the first band that I ever saw in concert more than once for that reason.

Thematically and sonically, Pinegrove continues to grow and evolve. I can’t wait to hear whatever they do next.

Tags Band Profile, Pinegrove, WKNC

Band/Artist Profile Concert Review

Black Country, New Road at Hopscotch

Post author By wrausbor
Post date September 20, 2022

I was sent by WKNC to cover the Hopscotch music festival. One of the main reasons I was excited to go was to see Black Country, New Road. But before we talk about the concert lets get into some background.

Black Country, New Road is a band from England and has gained a lot of popularity in the past couple of years. They dropped their debut album “For the First Time” in 2021 with critical acclaim and showed people they should be a band to look out for. Then in February of this year they dropped their second album “Ants From Up There” which created a large buzz due to the large amount of critical acclaim the album had.

But just as they had reached the highest point they had been at and it seemed they were at the top of the experimental rock world the band announced that their lead singer Isaac Wood was leaving the group due to mental health reasons. The band however decided to continue without their lead singer and instead have other members substitute for vocals.

Now this leads us to now, the band has decided to go on tour and for the tour they have decided to create all new music without their lead singer as the vocalist. So none of the songs are on the albums and no one has heard them yet. This is the main reason I wanted to go was to hear this new music. And let me tell you it was incredible.

It’s hard to describe the songs especially since I can’t hear them again and that you have probably never heard them but I’ll try my best. The songs feel the same as their first two albums and they still have that distinct sound. They’re still using the large array of instruments like saxophone, violin, piano, accordion, flute and more. They also had three different people on main vocals for different songs which was their saxophonist Lewis Evans, bassist Tyler Hyde, and keyboardist May Kershaw.

Some specific moments I enjoyed was the third song in the set had this super catchy saxophone riff that I could listen to all day. The song right after had the group using harmonies and all singing some parts at once which sounded incredible. One of the songs sounded like a whimsical stroll through a field which one of my friends described as Keebler elf music. This was very accurate due to the lead singer saying when the next chapters were coming in which gave it a fairy tale feel. They also had a song where the keyboardist was singing main vocals, playing keyboard and playing accordion all at the same time which makes absolutely no sense but it worked.

Hearing the music live made me so excited for their next project and I cant wait to see where the band heads next. I feel they are just getting started and I hope they continue their streak of great music.

Tags Black Country New Road, hopscotch 2022

Band/Artist Profile Music News and Interviews

“Ouroboros” by Suave Punk Song Review

Post author By Michelangelo
Post date September 20, 2022

Cover art of "Ouroboros" by Suave Punk

Suave Punk is a great representation of modern indie roots. Suave Punk is Justin Kim, a fella who decided to sit down in his bedroom with a borrowed guitar, amp, and laptop and make some mystic music.

Since 2018 he has released an array of singles and an EP. Suave Punk’s discography is filled with heavy guitar riffs, relaxed vocals, and elements of shoegaze, grungegaze, and dream pop.

His most popular single, “Heat Death” caught my ears in 2021, and since I have been keeping up with his releases.

This new single “Ouroboros” did not disappoint; however, didn’t necessarily provide any new elements to his musical arsenal. I love seeing growth through releases, and although there wasn’t much experimentation in this track it’s clear his musical confidence is blossoming.

I really appreciated his lyrics in this track. He has a great voice and a great tone for the genre pocket he is fitting into. In his past work he really veils over the vocals with heavy strings and drumming, but I’m glad to see more of his lovely voice poke through here.

“I’m an ouroboros
No matter which way I go
I’m always trying again”

This theme of incessant self judgement fits excellently with the musical beats. The backdrop is repetitive, active, and grows throughout the track. This track is unified, succinct, and bold.

“You’re not safe from what you’re building
You’re not safe from what you do”

This track is definitely one of my favorites from Suave Punk. It provides a glimpse into the mind of Justin Kim, who up until this release has been allusive and understated.

It is great to hear more confidence in his voice, sound, and themes– I am looking forward to the releases to come. I’ll be waiting for a full album, till then, keep rocking Suave Punk.

Tags Suave Punk

Band/Artist Profile

Profile of the Week: Sprints

Post author By Michelangelo
Post date September 12, 2022

Cover Art for "Little Fix" Single by Sprints

Sprints is a garage punk band from Dublin, Ireland.

I first discovered this excellent band when creating my very first set for WKNC. As my right of passage into the WKNC realm, my DJ mentors assigned me to make a punk set. I had no idea where to start. Besides the classics, I didn’t listen to many punk bands I felt particularly passionate about.

When I started listening to Sprints that quickly changed. Punk quickly became one of my top genres and this band opened me up to many other female-lead punk bands.

Sprints is Karla Chubb, songwriter and lead vocalist, Colm O’Reilly on guitar, Jack Callan on drums and Sam McCann on bass. All of these musicians individually bring a lot of power.

Discography

Naturally, the first track I heard by Sprints is “Little Fix”, their most popular track, and rightfully so. This song has so much lyrical and vocal power.

“So tell me, doctor, how do you fix / A problem they don’t seem to think it really exists? / Should a stupid little girl / Ride backseat of a car / Wearing shame like a shawl and her body like a scar”

They have such a weighty sound. Karla Chubb provides such authentic rusticity and grunge to their music.

This band is also relatively new, forming in 2019. Although they have released some of their best music in 2022. Including their newest single, “Literary Mind”.

“Literary Mind” single cover art

In 2021 they release the EP “Manifesto”. This EP was filled to the brim with rusticity. Particularly in the opening track “Drones”, I loved their use of guitar in the backing track. Their is a rich exploration of noise making within “Manifesto”.

The track “Swimming” off of “Manifesto” is my favorite compositionally. The opening strings are simply zesty. The vocals are really stripped to compliment the more rigid backing. This is a track I would love to hear live in the middle of a pit.

They have yet to release a full album, but I am sincerely hoping 2022 or 2023 is the year. This band certainly has a lot on their horizons.

Tags Punk, Sprints

Band/Artist Profile

Profile of the Week: Jerry, at the Beach

Post author By Hüttemeister
Post date September 2, 2022

Self-proclaimed “fastest band in the world”, Jerry, at the Beach is a ball of fire blasting you away with every track. High-energy and raucous, singer Josh Russell and drummer Ethan Flynn create a sound that can only be thought of as “surf emo.”

I discovered these guys at the beginning of the summer and I have not stopped listening to them since. Upon each listen, I find something new that keeps bringing me back. Within their discography, there are consistent themes of youth, death and love captured with as much angst as you can expect from an emo band.

Jerry currently has two albums: “Jagerbomb” released in January 2021 and “Ketamine” released in June 2022. They also have an EP titled “Jerry, at the Beach” released in 2020 available on their Bandcamp.

Cranberry Run and Before

Jerry, at the Beach, “Jagerbomb” album art

Their self-titled EP is a very different sound than anything released since. Much slower and more melancholic, this release is clearly a very personal piece of art, coming with a 32-page booklet. The laid-back instrumentals and vocals with jazz influence are reflective of a sad summer night.

“I sail / I sail everyday into the dawn”
Jerry, at the Beach, “Jerry, at the Beach” lyric

While different in sound, their following release, “Jagerbomb” maintains many of the reflective themes expressed in their eponymous EP. This album is a whiplash of tracks that mix slow and fast pacing, building slowly before crashing back down in an explosion of sound.

And crash this album does, with constant allusions to cars, violence, and death. The two-track lineup “I Am Not Responsible” into “Cranberry Run” highlight the uniqueness of the LP.

The Basement Floor

Jerry, at the Beach, “Ketamine”

Their latest release, “Ketamine”, builds perfectly on the sound created in “Jagerbomb” with the intensity turned up to 11. In this LP, Jerry, at the Beach isn’t only a ball of fire, they are the sun.

“One look at the basement floor / Tells you everything you need / To know / Don’t go”
Jerry, at the Beach, “I’m Hurting” lyric

Starting off explosively, “I’m Hurting” has been stuck in my head for at least three months. The song perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album with allusions to unreturned love, youth and pain. The second track, “I Love You”, slows the tempo before exploding into “Ketamine”, the titular track.

Each song on this 40-minute album provides something new while maintaining the sound that makes listening to Jerry so enjoyable. This album is a great starting point for Jerry, at the Beach and perfect for a listen while it’s still summer. Each song flows directly into the next, inviting you to continue listening until it’s done.

Beyond the Year 2022

The powerful sound created by Josh and Ethan over the past three years is very inspiring. Heartfelt and emotional, I am excited to see what Jerry, at the Beach does next.

On their Spotify page, they say, “Jerry, at the Beach has lots of music coming out throughout the year 2022. Beyond the year 2022 they will also have lots more music coming out.”

I hope that they continue building on their sound, increasing the intensity to 12 on their next project and continuing their legacy as “the fastest band in the world”.

Tags Band Profile, Jerry at the Beach, WKNC