Music Reviews: After The Fact - "Super Scary Scenarios" EP

After The Fact are a new band from Fort Myers, FL who play an infectious brand of ska punk and like having fun. The bands debut EP "Super Scary Scenarios" (Route 8 Records) is loaded with catchy riffs and hooks, a good beat, great vocals and or course horns! The band has a sound similar to that of Less Than Jake, but at the same time have their own style of songwriting.

This incredible EP kicks off with "Stuck" and fun track about being, well, STUCK! But it could be about being stuck anywhere...in a bad relationship, a dead end job, your hometown...anywhere! And the sound bites from "Office Space" just add to the good times. Who knew being stuck in a rut could be so much fun!

"This Time" has an all killer no filler opening guitar riff and harmonies that make this track an instant favorite for this listener. Singer Casey Gartland has a really good voice and he lets it shine all over this track (and all 6 tracks on this album, actually). His vocals never strain or overpower the other players on the album. They all just gel so well together.

"Frustrated" kicks off with an old school bass riff that goes into a great horn sound and we're off and running! Gang style vocals galore and a heavy groove make this another stand out track. I can't get enough of this album!

The band is tight as fuck. Guitarist Tim Tim is a great player who can play heavy riff solos and then play a beautiful acoustic song like "Maravilla" without a hitch. This kids got talent! The rhythm section of Big E (bass) and Dougie Fresh (drums) along with Paul Kalugdan (trumpet/guitar) just gel so well together. And along with Gartland bring the good times without tripping over each other musically. Bring these guys together and you have a great band who play energetic summer friendly music. Just when you thought this style of music has grown old and stale, After The Fact bring it all home with a fresh sound and show that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.

4 ½ / 5 stars

Music Reviews: Dot Dash - "Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash"

Dot Dash, who hail from Washington D.C., can best be described as an alternative band who play jangly pop blasts in the vein of The Cure and The Smiths. Now, normally I wouldn't touch a band like this with a ten foot pole. But something just caught me off guard with this band. Maybe it's the infectious style of playing? Maybe it's the rolling backbeat? Maybe it's the smooth vocal styling's? The quality of the songwriting? ALL of the above? It's hard to pinpoint when they took hold of my attention span and refused to let go.

Dot Dash are a fierce 4 piece that consist of singer/guitarist/main songwriter Terry Banks, guitarist Bill Crandall, bassist Hunter Bennett and drummer Danny Ingram. These 4 gentlemen are seasoned professionals and it shows on tracks like "The Color And The Sound" and "That Was Now, This Is Then" from their latest album Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash (The Beautiful Music). The album has an almost English feel to it and is very much 1984 in it's approach. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. I mean hey, if you have a knack for something different and tasteful, go for it!

 "Alright, Alright" has hit record written all over it with it's soft vocal's going into falsetto towards the end, it just makes you feel good. It's a short tune, but great none the less. Being a music lover I find so much good in this album. If you grew up loving 180 Minutes on MTV this is a great album to pick up. Some music just don't go out of style. And, like I said before, this particular style isn't really my cup of tea...but this band just has SOMETHING that will make you take notice and listen. The records pop sensibility and fine execution make this a must have for any 80s alternative music lover who still love to be different and wanna stand out in a crowd of hipsters and phonies. Be yourself and let it ride. That's what I get from Dot Dash. Well, that AND some really great music.

4 / 5 stars

Interview with Tyrus Thompson from Stop Drop

Critical Mass: Thanks for taking the time to talk with Critical Mass. For anyone new to Stop Drop, can you give us a little history on the band and how you guys got together?

Tyrus Thompson: Stop Drop started playing together about a year ago. It was formed by myself and Connor who were already playing together in the ska band 2 Tone Runts. I was looking for an outlet for songs that didn't fit the 2TR style and we both wanted to tour more. Brody was a co-worker of mine and I brought him in after jamming a few times. Brooklynn knew Connor because they were both local trombone players and she was looking for more gigs. We are currently working in a new trombone player, Tony Beaderstadt, into the mix. He played with us in 2 Tone Runts. We recorded our first EP, Stop Drop Is Distracted, together last spring and summer in our rehearsal space and released it for free download in August.

CM:  I recently reviewed the bands album "Is Distracted" and enjoy your mix of acoustic pop with a reggae feel. Who are some of the bands musical influences?

TT: Jamaican rhythms have always been a major influence from Toots and the Maytals to The Skatalites. I would also say modern bands like Against Me! and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists as well as legends like The Replacements and The Clash. When I'm listening to records at home I jump all over the place spanning multiple genres like folk to pop to ska to punk to RnB. The daily struggles of the working class and the fight for equality and justice to just growing up and trying to make my voice heard as well as all the teachers who ignored me or said I couldn't make it have all pushed me to keep going and spreading music.

CM: Now, the band is currently unsigned right? Has any labels, indie or otherwise, contacted you about possibly releasing some material in the future? Or will you continue to release your own material?

TT: We wanted to release something for free which is why we went the D.I.Y. route with "Is Distracted." We feel like in this modern age of home studios and accessible online distribution that band don't need labels. Labels need bands. That being said, if the right offer were to come around we may consider it but it's not a priority to us.

CM:  As far as songwriting goes, is it a group effort or is there a primary songwriter in the group?

TT: I'll come to practice with an outline for a song and the rest of the band will help polish it up. We might jam on it a couple times to find which ever arrangement comes naturally. When I write, it's generally when I'm home alone on my guitar or organ. I try to start with a chorus. Usually with a melody and lyrics that may have been in my head all day. The hook can be the hardest part. From there I'll find a chord structure for the verse. I try not to force the first verse and chorus. If I get stuck, I move on to the next song. Once I have a chorus and first verse, I might move on and write the rest of the lyrics and the bridge later. Other times I might just vomit up a whole song at once like with the Tour Song, which I think I wrote in less than 20 minutes.

CM: You have a great song on "Is Distracted" called Tour Song which I love! And the band hails from Minneapolis, MN. Now is Tour Song autobiographical? Has the band been out on tour in the past?

TT: I've been touring with bands for a while now. Stop Drop started touring the Midwest last spring and we did two weeks on the East Coast with Detroit based band Matt Wixson's Flying Circus in August. Touring is probably one of my favorite things to do. It's when I'm the most happy. I don't like being a tourist though. Traveling for me is much more enjoyable when there are people waiting to see you at every city. I like staying with strangers and meeting new friends and other bands. I like the long hours on the road and waking up somewhere else.

CM: Are there any plans to take the show on the road in 2012?

TT: You will start seeing us traveling around the Midwest again this spring. We have a bunch of shows in the works. We plan on doing even more touring this year to different places then we have been. We'll play everything from concert venues to coffee shops to basements. Hit us up if and we'll do our best to make it out to where ever you may be.

CM: Will we be seeing any new releases, full lengths, singles, 7"s or splits in the near future?

TT: We've got a lot of new songs in the works and will start demoing them this summer. No current plans for when or how they will be released. I would love to get something out on vinyl.

CM: Is there a website where fans get up to date news on upcoming releases, gigs and merch?

TT: Our website is www.stopdropmusic.com On there you can download our EP for free, check out our StopDropTV youtube videos as well as purchase our t-shirts and other merch. You can also follow stopdropmusic on Twitter. And starting Monday, 1-23-12 we will be doing a weekly live stream on our "ChatWithTheBand" tab on our Facebook every Monday night at 7pm Central.

CM: The new album is really kick ass, and I'm stoked to hear more from Stop Drop in the future. Thanks again for talking with Critical Mass. All the best to you guys in 2012!

TT: Thanks for taking the time to check out our EP and we're stoked to make more music. Peace.

Music Reviews: P.T.'s Revenge - "Never Let Her Go"

After a decade of being off the scene and doing other projects Detroit's P.T.'s Revenge are back with "Never Let Her Go" (Whoa! Records). Even though last year saw the release of "Save The Drama" this is actually the first release of ALL NEW material by this amazing band. This 4 song EP is a sure fire sign of things to come.

The album kicks off with "Rockstar" a song about having to go out on the road and leaving behind your day to day life, friends and loved ones. Anyone who's been fortunate enough to get out there and tour will be able to identify with this song and it's honest lyrics. It's a strong song and a great way to kick off what's soon to be a classic record.

"JNJ" is an ode to a friend who's got talent and drive who "deserves everything that he gets when he dreams" even if his confidence isn't necessarily all there. I don't know who this person in question is, and the band won't come right out and give a name, but let's just say this person must be one hell of a guy to have such a great song dedicated to him and his fight to be the best he can be. A real barn burner, folks!

The band is still pretty much in tact after years away. Singer Kevin Sierzega is hitting each note perfectly and is truly a force to be reckoned with. He's a great singer with a passion for his craft. Mathew Edwards and Chris Doerr have a twin guitar sound that brings so much to the table without trying to outdo each other. And the rhythm section of bassist Jeff Sierzega and drummer John Kay are so tight and precise and hold the music together with professionalism and accuracy.

The album closes with a great song called "Coo Later Bye". This is a song about what the bands lived through the first time around, the break up, the reforming and the good times that still lay ahead! This is definitely the "heart on sleeve" track of the year. It's a tribute to the common bond these guys have and they're mutual love of the music they play and the fans they play for. When Kevin sings "We'll say goodbye, but not tonight!" all I can think of is how great it is to have them back. And I HOPE they don't say goodbye anytime soon. I'm sure I speak for all the fans when I say "welcome back gentlemen!"

4 ½ / 5 stars

Music News: Sundails Hold Fundraiser for Planned Parenthood

Richmond, Virginia's own Sundials are having a fundraisers to promote the Richmond, VA. Reproductive Freedom Project/Planned Parenthood by offering copies of their CD "Never Settle" or a copy of their "First 3 Songs" 7" for anyone who's willing to donate $10 or more. We here at Critical Mass think it's a great cause and support this project 100%. You can find out more by reading the official announcement by the Sundials themselves below.

Hey everybody,

So, reproductive rights are a big deal to us. So should they be to you! We’re doing a fundraiser for the Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project/Planned Parenthood, who are both currently having fundraisers. We’re giving away some stuff in return for your support! Here’s how it works.

If you donate $10 to Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project, you get your choice of either the Never Settle CD or the First Three Songs 7”.

If you donate $15 to Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project, you get both of ‘em.

If you donate $30 to Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project or more, you get both the CD and 7” and any other record you want.

Everyone who donates will be entered into a raffle at the end of the fundraiser. The winner gets a limited test press of Never Settle.

Donate here:

http://bowlathon.nnaf.org/nnafbowl/teampage.asp?fundid=733

IF WOULD YOU WOULD RATHER DONATE $25 TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Donate here:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/

Once you’ve donated, send us your Transaction ID and we’ll send you a copy of First 3 Songs 7”!

Make sure to also post your Transaction ID to the Facebook page for 500 Richmond Residents for Reproductive Rights so we can reach the target goal!

Music News: Iggy Pop News!

The world has just become a cooler place! The Godfather of punk, the one and only Iggy Pop, has officially become Record Store Day Ambassador for 2012 according to the RSD website. In a prepared statement, "The Worlds Forgotten Boy" said...

"A person should have a personality. You won't get one dicking around on a computer.  It helps to go somewhere where there are other persons.  Persons who are interested in something you are. That's how a record store or any shop that's got some life to it should work.  It's not about selling shit. I got my name, my musical education and my personality all from working at a record store during my tender years. Small indie shops have always been a mix of theater and laboratory. In the 50's and 60's the teen kids used to gather after school at these places to listen free to the latest singles and see if they liked the beat. You could buy the disc you liked for 79 cents and if you were lucky meet a chick. Clerks in these places became managers, (like Brian Epstein), label heads, (Jack Holzman) and Faces on album covers (like me). Personally I feel best in a store that, while staying small and socially relaxed, still keeps a complete variety of music types and non musical recordings on offer. I'm aware though that a lot of great places are genre-specific, like dance hall shops in Jamaica or Compas here in Little Haiti. In Europe and on the West coast the same goes on for Punk and Goth. All of this is cool and has a much bigger future than most people realize today. When the record and record store businesses began to die at the turn of the new century, they deserved it because they got too big too boring and too plastic.
As Record Store Day Ambassador for 2012 I feel like a representative from some exotic jungle full of life and death and sex and anger, called upon to wear a leopard skin and translate joy to the world of the dead. --IGGY POP"

Thanks God for Iggy Pop!

Music News: Hopewrecker Seek Label To Release Debut 7"

Recently I was contacted by Jeff Hancock from the band Hopewrecker asking if I would be interested in reviewing his bands, as of yet unreleased, 3 song EP. And I gladly agreed. Upon hearing the 3 songs, I couldn't help but be blown away by how great the band were and how well crafted and executed the songs are. I remember thinking to myself "Wow, these guys are really good! I can't wait to get my hands on this EP." That's when I realized that would be impossible...for NOW at least! You see, the band is currently unsigned and don't have a label to release this monster 7" of great punk rock! And that's why we need YOUR help!

The band started out in 2011 after Jeff, who also hosts his own punk rock pod cast called Needle Drop Radio, wrote some amazingly clever punk rock songs and needed an equally amazing band to help see his vision turned into a reality. So he recruited Wal Rashidi, Guy Julian and Jon Kurtz and Hopewrecker was born.

Hopewrecker have had their songs released on two charity compilations alongside bands like Civil War Rust, Why I Hate, Lipstick Homicide, MxPx, The Haddonfields, Jetty Boys. And the band currently has about an albums worth of material already recorded. The 3 songs I heard are super catchy and musically fantastic. I'm shocked that these guys haven't been picked up yet. "Nightcrawler", "Farm Invasion" and "Planet Of The Year" stand toe to toe with anything coming out of the punk scene in the last 10 years. It's TRULY that good!

"Nightcrawler" starts out with a galloping bass and drum beat then kick in with Jeff's vocals over a killer guitar riff and it takes flight with smart lyrics and a harmonizing chorus that's just top notch punk rock! And if after listening to "Planet Of The Year" you don't think it's a monster hit waiting to happen, I'll pack up the plantation and close Critical Mass down. I believe in it THAT much! This is, as of right now, the top pick for EP of the year at Critical Mass.

You can hear these tunes (and download them for FREE) on the groups Bandcamp page. So now it's YOUR turn. If you know anyone who runs or works for an indie label, please pass on this bands music. This kind of music should not be ignored. We need to keep our scene alive with word of mouth and free press. Together we can all make a difference.

4 ½ / 5 stars