Mighty Ships

Mighty Ships is a post-rock/punk project from Normal/Aurora, Illinois that was originally a solo project created by Tyler Bachman and has extended to musical partner Harrison O’Brien as of this winter. There a re a few other friends that are involved on this project as well. The band recently posted two songs as an introduction to the music that they’ve been working on and what they hope to create in the future. Both songs show a broad range of what this group has to offer and the potential that resides in each member. Listening to these two songs, one hears bits of post, emo, and indie, which is a lot to hear in just two songs and have it sounding fresh and exciting.

I really look forward to seeing what else these guys have up their sleeves and hopefully 2014 will be kind to them.

To get involved, visit the Mighty Ships band camp here: http://mightyships.bandcamp.com.

The Restitution

Hailing from the West Coast, The Restitution are a new progressive metal band that you all need to check out (especially for fans of The Deftones, Tool and even some bands that don’t necessarily fall in that category like Thrice and Underoath. There’s also bits of post-rock in the music, to further make it a very diverse album to satisfy all parties.

The band is the brainchild of Michael Wright, whose musical vision has led to his debut album, Waves. Waves paints a very beautiful picture of a well-constructed progressive album that has resulted over many years of hard work and few borrowed instruments, and a great deal of creative experimentation. This album is a real melting pot of some of the genres that I love most and is presented in a very palatable and cohesive manner including punk, post, and progressive (the three P’s). They combine clean and shouty-edgy vocals over beautifully constructed melodies to generate a mass of emotions.

The production on this record is very strong, but raw and really compliments the music. I’m a big fan of albums that sound like x number of dudes just jamming together in a room both in a songwriting and a production stand-point because it feels more natural and real. I totally get this with The Restitution and the songwriting is very mature. Some key tracks for me include “Stone Dweller,” “Weigh,” and the title track, but really every song is great.

The band currently don’t have any shows lined up, but if they do happen to appear in your area, then you best be seeing them because you do not want to miss out on the experience.

Luke Helker

 

Aurora (MA)/Blank Youth Records Interview Special

Here is an amazing example of a community working together towards a larger common goal. Some friends in central Massachusetts decided to form a label in order to help out their other friends and colleagues in working bands. They’ve in turn created a small scene within a small community that has been created around them and are making a lot of headway. We need more people like this who are willing to work together instead of competing for advancement. Hopefully these interviews shed some light on the bands and labels that you should be familiarizing yourself with no so that you can get involved tomorrow.

The Aurora questions were answered by Sean O’Loughlin (Vocals)

  

LH: How long have the members of Aurora been playing together?

SL: Aurora has been a band since the summer of 2012. All of us are original members besides Ethan Cheesman, our new drummer who started with us in late 2013.

LH: You’re kicking off 2014 with a new acoustic single and accompanying music video. What was the thought-process that determined this?

 

SL: I was going to release Changing Winds on my own. It was a song that I had been working on for a while and wanted to do some acoustic stuff on my own. I recorded it and then showed the other guys in Aurora. When they all liked it we decided to use it as a full band release. In the end it worked out perfectly and we started the new year with a new track!

LH: “Changing Wind” is definitely a new step for this group and I was curious what the origin of this song was (if one).

 

SL: I really don’t know how to put it with this song. Everyone goes through hard times, I just wanted people to listen and relate to this song in any way that they could.

LH: Who produced your Changing Winds music video?

 

SL: Nick Parabicoli, from our new label Blank Youth Records laid out the idea with the dog. We all thought it would be funny to have a deep song with a video that had no true meaning. Plus, Scoobe (the dog) is awesome.

LH: Having never been to MA, I was curious what the punk scene was like in your area.

 

SL: It’s strange, there are some awesome punk, pop punk and indie bands that come out of MA. In our area, Central Mass there’s a way bigger hardcore, post hardcore scene which makes the shows really dynamic in genre.

LH: Any touring plans?

 

SL: This summer we will be doing a week or two around New England. We are working on getting another band to come along with us as well. Hopefully later on this year we’ll book another tour during winter break too.

LH: What else is in store for 2014?

 

SL: Were going to head into the studio soon to start recording our next EP which we’re planning to release in the Spring of 2014. Until then we will keep promoting ourselves, playing shows and anything else we can do to get our name out there!

The Blank Youth Records questions were answered by Matthew Perham (Owner)

LH: How long have BYR been in business?

MP: Well, I got the idea to start a record label back in December of 2012. I wanted to showcase some of the local talent in Central Mass and give them an outlet to build their careers in music. I started working on my own and released a 10 song compilation album featuring local bands. After the release I started to realize that I had a lot of close friends that were as passionate about music as I was and I asked them to help out with the label.

In August of 2013 I enlisted the help of four long time friends, Pat, Jon, Bryan and Nick. We discussed what goals we wanted the label to accomplish and started talking about which bands we would like to sign. In September of 2013 we chose a name for our label and started researching the first artist to join our roster. In late December 2013 we announced the signing of Aurora and Blank Youth Records was on its way!

LH: What types of music do you usually cater towards?

MP: At the moment we are catering to the Pop Punk/Alternative Rock scene. In our area there are a lot of Hardcore/Post Hardcore bands but we wanted to find a smaller niche to work with. Although, that doesn’t mean we won’t be branching out to different genres later on in the future.

LH: Besides Aurora, what other bands have you worked with?

MP: Aurora is our first and only signing at the moment but after we get our feet off the ground and release their third EP this spring we’ll be looking to sign other artists. When I released the 10 song compilation in 2012 on my own it featured some awesome bands from Massachusetts such as Atlas, Pathogenic, Kerrigan, and SuperStoker.

LH: What is your specific role in the organization?

MP: I’m kind of the ‘Jack of All Trades’ when it comes to the everyday operations within the label. I’m first and foremost the owner. I’m the guy behind the scenes making sure we get everything done. I (attempt to) keep everyone in line and on task. I figure out what needs to get done and then I make it happen.

LH: What are BYR’s plans for 2014?

MP: Right now we are really focused on getting Aurora’s EP out in the spring and getting them out on tour. After we get that release under our belt we will start seeking out other artists to work with and start the process of releasing awesome music all over again. 2014 should be a big year for Blank Youth. We hope your ready to hear some awesome music.

For more information on Aurora (MA) and Blank Youth Records, visit their Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/BlankYouth

https://www.facebook.com/aur0rama

Luke Helker

The Scarlet Son

Most of you will remember when I covered a band called Andare. This is going way back in the archives, but they were a great band from Pittsburgh and one of their members, Kris Litman, has started a new project called, The Scarlet Son. As far as I know right now, I think all of the instrumentation and production is done by Litman, which is quite impressive.

To get 2014 started, The Scarlet Son have released their debut single, “Consumed” via their band camp. I don’t want to make too many comparisons to Andare because the music of these two groups is really different beyond the fact that are both fairly heavy acts. Andare though had a lot of scream singing while all of the vocals in The Scarlet Son are clean and super melodic. He does a good job of creating a lot of space while simultaneously filling it up with loads of instruments in the mix. It’s definitely a good track that reminds me of late Coheed & Cambria at points.

Right now they  just have the one single out, but I predict that before 2014 is over, we’ll have a full-length record by the group.

Check lout the track “Consumed” here at http://thescarletson.bandcamp.com

Luke Helker

The Perms

The Perms are an Alt-Rock band that have actually been around since the late 90’s and have quite a lot of albums under belt already. This high-octane, energetic group are looking to break the boundaries of the 21st century as their music progresses and these men mature as musicians.

The band just released a new EP entitled The Aberdeen EP. It contains four tracks that are all absolutely killer. The EP opens up with “It’s Mania,” a driving rock anthem that will surely get you in the mood to rock out. That song transitions smoothly into “Aberdeen” a more mid-tempo, beautifully harmonized track. Next is “The Parent Thing,” which actually sounds more like an old-school Blink-182 song than any other track on this EP. The EP closes with “Walk Away,” another guitar-driven anthem to round out a great EP.

If you like Cage the Elephant, The Offspring, or any other great FM radio rock bands, you will totally dig this group. The EP can be found on the band’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ThePerms. They also have their own website, which you can check out here: www.theperms.com.

Luke Helker

Cursed Graves

Cursed Graves are a new noise-punk band from San Diego and are honestly unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. They’ve got the raw intensity of any classic punk rock band, yet they have also equipped these shorts bursts of raging fury with the screams of feedback and other natural guitar noises to heighten the dirty sounds they are trying to project. It really transports the listener to the small club in which this band would most likely perform in and helps illustrate the fierceness of what it’s like to be at a punk show.

The band released a new record this past Friday. The album runs about 10 minutes long total, but I assure you it will be the harshest 10 minutes of your life. All of the tracks are short, explosive bursts of punk rock fury that will surely satisfy even the most casual of punk fans.

Here’s an interview I had with Blake Cox of Cursed Graves:

LH: How did the band come together?

BC: It’s actually a pretty funny story. Last Halloween our friends put together a cover show for fun, so the three of us (having played in bands together in the past) decided to play a Black Sabbath cover set, but ended up throwing out the covers and writing a record instead.

LH: Is that why you have a shirt in the style of the Master of Reality album cover?

BC: When we originally started writing music for Cursed Graves, we knew we needed something to pay homage to Black Sabbath; so the Master of Reality tee is just us paying our respects.

LH: How exactly did you go from covering Black Sabbath, who are much more in the vein of heavy blues rock to Cursed Graves, which is insane noise-punk?

BC: Our Black Sabbath influences aren’t necessarily directly related to the music, but we definitely were drawn to the idea of writing dark/eery music, which is obviously Black Sabbath’s biggest claim to fame.

LH: Where does the name Cursed Graves come from?

BC: I could come up with some crazy elaborate story about the name, but in reality we just thought it sounded cool.

LH: Why is the album called S/T?

BC: Seeing as it’s our first release, we wanted to keep it simple & easy to remember: a self-titled record.

LH: I saw on the merch section of your Facebook that you are selling this album on cassette as well as a digital format. Is this true? If so why cassette instead of vinyl or CD?

BC: Well, to us, the point of owning a physical copy of any record (whether it be CD, vinyl, etc.) is that it’s something you can collect; having our record on cassette is just another way to listen to our music, not to mention the distinct warm, analog sound you get from vinyl & cassettes.

LH: Where was the album recorded? Who produced it? 

BC: We spent a weekend recording the record at the Roseland Recording Room in Fallbrook, CA with Matt Fitzpatrick from My Iron Lung, who taught us a lot of things about “Wonderwall” by Oasis.

LH: What exactly did you learn about Oasis and “Wonderwall?”

BC: Oasis’ “Wonderwall” is not only your favorite song in the entire world, but at the same time, it’s your least favorite song in the entire world.

LH: You have quite a few shows coming up in the next few weeks. Having not been to California and also not being a native, I was wondering if you could shed some light on the punk rock scene in San Diego and elsewhere around California. Is it a nurturing environment for the music you create? Are there plans to tour out-of-state?

BC: There isn’t a huge amount of punk bands directly where we’re from. Most of the notable bands (Sleepwalk, Take Offense, PSO) reside closer to the border in Lemon Grove & Chula Vista. Although, up north in Los Angeles & the Bay Area, there’s a much bigger punk/hardcore scene with bands like Creative Adult, Harsh Vibes, Zero Progress, & a bunch of others. San Diego is a bit of a bust when it comes to punk.

LH: What does 2014 hold for Cursed Graves?

BC: We definitely have a tremendous amount planned for the upcoming year, including months of touring the U.S., as well as at least two more releases by the end of 2014. In other words, if you live in North America, chances are you’ll be hearing about us in the next couple of months.

Enjoy the record!

Luke Helker

Lost Swimmer

Lost Swimmer is a post-hardcore group from Kentucky. They just released their latest EP, Songs About Breathing, which contains five aggressive tracks that are absolutely killer. The band have a Title Fight/Brand New sound to them and this EP is very raw and very tasteful.

“Plan B” opens up the album and starts out with a solo guitar setting the tone and then vocals in the distance. As the rest of the band comes in and builds, the intensity of the song builds until it explodes into a furious punk anthem. “Lost Summer” immediately pumps the brakes as the guitars continue to create an atmospheric presence while the drums and bass plow through. This tracks also explodes later on and is carried by the bass the entire time.  “Forget, Regret” is the first time that I feel the guitars are the most important part and really drive this song. “Gunlock” is another song that starts soft and explodes later; also with the bass driving the entire time. Finally, “Chloe, Underwater is the longest track on the album, clocking in at over six minutes and opens up with a bass solo. This song goes back and forth between softer and louder parts, I think to create a sense of struggling to stay afloat when one is lost at sea.

Lost Swimmer previously released an EP entitled Maps & Lessons, which contains four tracks that are more on the pop-punk side of what bands like Title Fight do. Two very different EPs, two very different faces to this talented band, but all the songs are worth listening to.

As the band continues to play shows in their hometown and release EPs, we need to help them get more shows by making everyone more aware of who this band are and what they do. To do that, get involved with their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/lostswimmer) and their band-camp (http://lostswimmer.bandcamp.com)

Luke Helker

Coastal Break

Coastal Break is the creative name for Ryan Sullivan, a try one-man band. He has taken it upon himself to accept every role in his modern hardcore-metal project and just completed his first piece, which is called “A Letter Behind” and is a 16 minute mammoth of a track instead of breaking up the musical ideas into separate songs.

Musically, Sullivan has the technical facility of any modern-day shredder and has the creativity of some of the more forward-thinking bands around. His music to me sounds like it fits somewhere between Tesseract/The Safety Fire and Chimp Spanner/Pomegranate Tiger, especially Pomegranate Tiger. Like Pomegranate Tiger, Sullivan’s music is also completely instrumental and flows within itself beautifully. The overall aesthetics of the song are breath-taking. I can hear the personality that is driving these riffs and melodies and know that he is playing straight from the heart, which isn’t always easy to translate to modern audiences, but I think many people will grasp on when they become more informed.

This is the first thing that Sullivan has released, which is very exciting because we get to see his career blossom and expand as he continues to write more music that impresses us. To download his track or find out more about what Coastal Break is up to, visit his Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/CoastalBreakMusic

Luke Helker

Greylines

Over the past weekend, I have been in touch with Shane Dunlap of the band Greylines. These self-proclaimed “Lock Haven Bastards” have a unique blend of punk and hardcore in a way that is very accessible, but also doesn’t alienate them from that true-blue fan base.

The band just released a new EP entitled Night Terror. Be sure to check it out because it’s a great EP with wall-to-wall bangers on it including “Shudder,” the song that the band just recently released a video for.

Here is an interview I had with Shane. We talked a lot about the new video. Below that you’ll find the music video for their song “Shudder.”

LH: Is this your first music video?

SD: Yep this is our first music video. Some of us were never really into the idea of a video but a couple of our friends really pushed us and put the idea in our heads and basically got is psyched up to do it.

LH: Who produced the video?

SD: A friend of ours named Matt Spencer from Pittsburgh did the video. If you haven’t check out any of his work I suggest you do that; he seriously rules.

LH: How does it feel to have Alternative Press feature your video?

SD: It’s a really awesome feeling of course haha we’re all really excited about it and probably will be for a while.

LH: Have you been getting attention from any other fairly well-known publications besides AP? 

SD: A few other media sites have shared it and it made its way around the world of twitter or so I’m told haha.

LH: Did anyone actually jump off that bridge?

SD: Yes, our singer Russell did actually jump off that bridge.

LH: What inspired the home video footage?

SD: I believe that was our friend Anthony’s idea. I brought up the idea of Russ flipping through old pictures then the idea of old video footage was stemmed from that. We wanted something that would give the viewers a reminiscent feeling when watching.

LH: This is your third EP. Can you discuss a little about how the songs came together and what makes this particular EP great.

SD: Technically this is our third release, but only our second EP. We’ve put out an 8 song EP and a one song split prior to this release.  The songs came together in a rather unusual way; the song Night Terror was written as a full band pretty much immediately after we released the first EP, so we’ve had that one in our set for quite some time. I think we wrote Shudder after that but ended up scrapping the song for a while and then eventually re-worked it until we were fully satisfied.  Russ wrote Regal and Ode completely by himself then brought the songs to us where we then added our own twist to it. 40 was a collective effort in that we all wrote different parts then mixed them all together; then a good deal of it was changed and reworked while we were in the studio.  I guess what makes this EP great or at least why we think so, the songs are filled with a ton of emotion, we really try to show that with the music but Russ does a great job of writing lyrics that allow people to bring back memories both good and bad.

LH: Any touring plans? 

SD: We’re going to do some weekenders this winter and try to play some places we haven’t played yet. Then we’re getting things worked out to do a bigger tour this summer.

LH: Whats the next step for Greylines?

SD: We’re trying to play as much as we can in 2014 and really push the new EP as hard as we can.

Luke Helker

 

One Headlight High

One Headlight High is a part-pop-punk group from Missouri. They specialize in having a good time on stage and writing good soundtrack to any party. Usually the novelty of a “party band” wears thin after several listens, but not this band. I don’t really think of them as a party band. While they have songs like “Tequila is for sore losers” and fully embrace the party image, they could just as easily depart from that image and still maintain good songs at the end of the day.

They recently released their newest record, Live Free or Don’t back in September. The album was recorded in Fuse Recording Studio in Lincoln, Nebraska in March 2013. While I dig the party vibe that emanates from their earlier material, this album, to me, is much more direct and displays the maturity of the songs and musicians most accurately. The way in which these songs are presented still remains though and the group’s overall sound hasn’t diminished in the least and the songs are stronger than ever. Songs like “6 or 10” and “Burn for a Cure” illustrate the steps this band are taking towards musical development while songs like “Sexlexia” and “Go Home You’re Drunk” allow older fans to enjoy the kind of songs that garnered the band popularity in the first place.

All of the songs on this album are well constructed, well produced and are simply fun to listen to.  They band are frequently playing shows and trying to get their name out.  You can help them out by checking out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Headlight-High/127133577309634) and spreading the word about their music.

Luke Helker