"I Learned There's a Reason that Some Things Go Untaught" - A Look at Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family might appear a little strange to the uninitiated: a post-punk band that's known by ten other names, currently comprised of sixteen members, (at least I'm fairly certain...) and manages to comfortably release new material on a nearly bi-monthly basis. But conventionality hardly seems like a priority for the band. 

The band started as an Albany-based project known as End of a Year, going back to 2004. Since then, they had released 14 EPs, 6 singles, 5 LPs, and even done splits with bands such as Tigers Jaw, Code Orange, Touche Amore, and even Creative Adult. As such, the band's catalog and repertoire is best described as vast, diverse, and full of surprises. And I mean shit, it only makes sense when the band's line-up is constantly expanding and evolving: the people who wrote the song may not be the same people who recorded the song who may not be the same people playing the song live in front of you. It's a rather strange concept that most certainly lends to the most intriguing framework I've encountered in my time engaging this musical scene. 

A few days ago, the band released its newest EP: Superior. The record was promised to be Self Defense Family's darkest material to date and as per usual, they certainly did not disappoint. Superior's dreary four tracks manage to drone without ever being monotonous or dull. Instead, the record dances through an unpleasant blackness that you'll still manage to nod your head to. Frontman (and comic book writer) Patrick Kindlon's cynical prose guides the listener through a brief but begrudging experience that serves as a perfect companion for a frozen night spent on self-reflection. Check out the opening track, "In Those Dark Satanic Mills" below: 

Don't let all the brooding fool or scare you away; this is a good record by a great band whose honesty and energy is seldom found elsewhere. Self Defense Family is a band that you might have to sit with for a moment to soak entirely in but you'll be glad you took the time afterwards. It's a little naive to say that there's "something for everybody" as the band clearly isn't interested in catering to everyone. But Self Defense Family, like life, is full of ups and downs, tempo changes and mood swings, glorious sunrises and miserable nights. It's not for anyone, but for those comfortable enough to pause and momentarily challenge their ears; Self Defense Family will compel you.

You can purchase Superior from Run For Cover here, and ask the band for relationship advice here. Check here to find out if Self Defense Family is coming to a city near you! 

I'll Meet You on the Water There Sometime - A Look at Basement

Hailing from Ipswitch, England Basement is a band that has been bringing some kindhearted and enjoyable takes on the genres of alt. rock, punk, and even emo. While this 5 piece may not be the most ambitious band out there in terms of structure and style, gravitating heavy into the melodic realm with their latest LP release: "Promise Everything," Basement is a strong member of Run for Cover Records in my honest opinion.

While earlier releases' strengths lied in glossy bass tracking, and coursing rhythm-based guitar riffs, baritone vocalist Andrew Fisher is really beginning to come into his own. His vocals are not only enjoyable but strong enough to carry a good majority of the strengths of the band's latest release. However, this isn't to say the band is lacking on the instrumental front by any means, I just really feel that Fisher deserves to be recognized for stepping up. Give this a band listen if you dig alt rock with an emo and punk flair.

Below I've included a link to a few track recommendations:

If you wish to support the band. You can purchase their latest album here. Check out Youtube for a full stream of the album!

Deftones "Prayers/Traignle" - Track Review

Deftones' long awaited 8th LP has been announced for an April 8, 2016 release and has been revealed to be titled "Gore." With all the hype building up, Deftones released the first single from this album today entitled "Prayers/Triangles." Is it an indicator of the brilliance to come, or is the band finally taking a plummet into the realm of the generic and uninteresting? Check out my review of this track!

Deftones is my second favorite band of all time. I grew up with them and have a giant soft spot for them inside my heart. As such, I feel their two release post Chi Cheng's death have been on the weaker side for their branch of music. I honestly could not buy into "Diamon Eyes" and while "Koi no Yokan" was definitely a step in the right direction for the band, I felt that a good 50% of Yokan could've been better. Have I grown jaded with their music? Or perhaps I wish to relive the glory days of "White Pony," "Around the Fur," and even "Saturday Night Wrist?" No, I feel I've just grown to expect a lot from a band I hold to such high regard, no matter how heavily I gravitate towards the realm of being unrealistic. With all that being said, I definitely feel "Prayers/Triangles" is a shining and refreshing track that has gotten me more excited for a Deftones release in quite a long time. 

"It's one of those songs that's very Deftones-esque," said frontman Chino Moreno this morning when this track was revealed on Zane Lowe's "Beats 1" radio show. And I couldn't agree more!

This track displays a healthy dichotomy between elegant and brutal sound with soaring guitars that guides a pseudo psychedelic verse that is equal parts soothing and passionate. Some post-hardcore influenced elements can be heard towards the final bit of the track and it's simply awesome. While I definitely feel this one of the band's more straightforward tracks with a simplistic format, the track is awesome and comes across as very appealing listen. The production is clean and Chino's voice sounds better than ever!

This upcoming album is being described in interviews as being "all over the place" in terms of song structures and sound. As such, a Deftones album with a lot of variation sounds like the most appealing thing I could've hoped for coming from a Deftones LP! I give this track a solid 8/10 and eagerly await to hear more from the prolific California 5-piece. 

-Nights Off

Check out the track for yourself here:

"These Floods of You are Unforgiving" - A Look at Converge

Today  I wanted to get the ball rolling with a new series of posts solely dedicated to putting certain bands and artists I've come to adore over the years in the spotlight. It's within my humblest of hopes that I can bring some attention and light to these musicians, as their work is truly brilliant in their own way. So let's kick off things with a look at a band whose music can only be described as brutal and abrasive. Converge!

This Massachusetts four-piece has its origins rooted in 1990 with front man Jacob Bannon and guitarist Kurt Ballou coming together in the winter to create a bloody fantastic hardcore band. While Converge's music is rooted primarily in the genres of hardcore and hardcore punk, there are occasions in which implementations of metalcore and even mathcore can be heard. With that in mind, Converge may very well be the single most influential hardcore band of modern time. They have performed numerous live acts throughout the world and have had a profound influence on numerous bands. Some would either don their hardcore punk mantle or even become part of Deathwish Inc., a record label (that is within my personal top 5 favorite record labels) that was founded by frontman Bannon himself. 

While their earlier releases had their own strengths, it wasn't until the 2001 release of their legendary 4th LP "Jane Doe," that the band really came into their own as the powerful and influential hardcore act we know today. "Jane Doe" is heralded by numerous critics as a masterpiece of its genre. It's one of the very few albums I've ever listened to that I can truly describe as a unique experience. It's intense, heavy, cacophonous, and insane. Yet, it is bolstered by a lack of rudimentary structures and some of the most impressive and cogent experimentation I've ever heard in hardcore instrumentals. To this day the album holds up as something truly unique. "Jane Doe" is an album that always seems to leave listeners with something different and it's truly interesting to discuss such with fellow hardcore fans with an appreciation for the album. 

Since "Jane Doe," Converge seemed to be simply incapable of releasing any album that was short of masterful and brilliant. Every release post "Jane Doe" brought something new and interesting to the hardcore genre. While later releases saw the rise of more melodic portions including: melodic vocals, strong tonal-based guitar riffs, and even some post-rock influenced tracks or segments of tracks, Converge still remained the masters of their hardcore roots. I highly recommend this band to anyone who appreciates the hardcore genre and is looking for music that is equal parts heavy and smart. Converge is still going strong today and I eagerly await what they intend to release next in coming years. 

Fun Facts:

-Front man Jacob Bannon is not only the founder of Deathwish Inc. but is also a graphic artist. He has done all the album covers of Converge's LP's and has even provided album art for bands such as: As I Lay Dying, Cursed, Bane, Every Time I Die, End of a Year, Fall Out Boy, Norma Jean, Modern Life is War, Poison the Well, and Underoath to name a few. 

-Guitarist Kurt Ballou is a notable and prolific record producer who owns his own studio named Godcity. To date he has produced and assisted the recording of 174 albums. 

Track Recommendations

Thank you and have a wonderful day.

-Nights Off