With a mix sensible pop harmonies and driving feelgood guitars, Baltimore alt-rockers Diamond have quietly been building a strong following online with two free digital releases; ‘DMND’ EP and ‘Don’t Lose Your Cool’.
Having written songs by sending material back and forth between Baltimore, Chicago, and Richmond and with the bands sunny upbeat style, Diamond is somewhat of a departure for some of its members; drummer Brendan Yates and guitarist Sam Trapkin are part of Hardcore band Trapped Under Ice, and bassist David Wood is the vocalist for Down to Nothing.
Nevertheless the 90’s-influenced band are heavily involved in the day-to-day business of the band having strong DIY beliefs. From marketing the free releases to the all design aspects of the band, Diamond are taking full control, a trait which is becoming more common place in today’s music industry.
Last week the quartet announced plans to release ‘Don’t Lose Your Cool’ through Black Numbers.
We recently caught up with guitarist Sam Trapkin to discuss ‘Don’t Lose Your Cool’, releasing material for free Bandcamp, the importance of DIY, their influences and more.
Already Heard: Hi Sam You’ve recently announced plans to release ‘Don’t Lose Your Cool’ on vinyl. What can you tell us about it?
Sam Trapkin: We released it ourselves as a free digital download last winter and are just now releasing on vinyl. It has roughly 6 and a half songs, It was recorded by Paul Leavitt in Baltimore, and there’s a dog wearing sunglasses on the cover of it.
AH: In comparison to your first release, how has the band grown on the new record?
Sam: ‘Don’t Lose Your Cool’ has a lot more going on than our first EP. I think it’s a little more multi-dimensional. We thought more about how we played it and sang it too, rather than just perform some songs we wrote.
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Hailing from Buffalo, New York I Can See Mountains have quietly been making a name for themselves in their short time together. Their latest release ‘Hope You Never Get It’is a bold, thriving collection of indie punk rock that quickly leaves an impression.
With a sound that resembles early Taking Back Sunday and Brand New, the quintet take that rawness and combine it with their influences; Algernon Cadwallader, The Get Up Kids, and Saves The Day. The final result comes from a band who are self-assured with instant hooks and emotive lyrics.
Already Heard caught up with I Can See Mountains to find out about their origins, the new record, being compared to Taking Back Sunday and Brand New, and more.
Already Heard: First of all can you state your name and role in I Can See Mountains?
I Can See Mountains: Robbie Grabowski: Drums
Justin Tartick: Guitar / Vocals
Kevin Hoffman: Vocals
Kyle Kwiatkowski: Bass / Vocals
Matt Cox: Guitar / Vocals
AH: For those have yet to hear, how would you describe your sound?
ICSM: Punk rock with a flare of the emotional side that makes our favorite bands worth listening to. We try to be real and raw in our songs that hopefully carries over into our live performance.
AH: Could you tell us a brief history of the band?
ICSM: The band formed over the summer of 2011, after previous frustrations with other projects and people became too much of a hassle to deal with. We wanted a place where we could bring fresh ideas free from any certain style or sound stipulations and simply jam.
AH: Are there any bands in particular you are influenced by?
ICSM: Bands like Algernon Cadwallader, The Get Up Kids, and Saves The Day have been the major influences for the most part. Algernon Cadwallader showed us that everything does not have to fit to a specific script to strike a chord with an audience.
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Eight years is a long time for a band to be away. However California’s No Motiv have returned with a new EP,‘Winterlong’ and after such a lengthy period away, they sound refreshed and hungry as they deliver six alt-rock songs that are well-executed.
‘Beginning From the End’ and ‘Dead as the Day’ carry themselves along with an upbeat tempo and confident vocals from Jeremy Palaszewski.
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Published in Stencil Magazine: Issue 12 on March 20th 2012.
“Plans Within Plans” is Bremerton, Washington’s MxPx’s ninth studio album and with a career now stretching nearly 20 years, the pop-punk group aren’t showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon, as “Plans Within Plans” is 13 songs of blistering, energetic punk that unfortunately doesn’t dare to step out of its comfort zone.
Nevertheless long-time fans of the band won’t be disappointed as tracks like “Nothing Left” and “Best Of Times” are energetic, punchy numbers with irresistible choruses. Whereas “Stay On Your Feet” and “In The Past” have that thriving, raw punk attitude that the trio have continuously pulled off throughout their career.
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(Source: issuu.com)
Published in Stencil Magazine: Issue 12 on March 20th 2012.
Having spent the best of part of eighteen months touring on and off in both America and the United Kingdom, Leamington Spa’s SHARKS are now set to release their debut full-length “No Gods.” With the record being released by currently popular Rise Records (Man Overboard, Transit, Of Mice and Men, Hot Water Music and more) and being produced by Brian McTernan (Polar Bear Club, Senses Fail, In Fear & Faith, Fireworks and We Are The Ocean,) their somewhat high expectations for “No Gods.”
For fans and critics, it’s a record that thankfully delivers in abundance. “Til The Wonders Rise” sets bar high from the start with sharp, punk rock riffs being combined well with James Mattock’s infectious vocal melodies.
Recent single “Arcane Effigies” is next and keeps up the momentum in a bold manner; pounding drums with an irresistible chorus that plain and simply leaves you hooked. It is something that the quartet showcase throughout “No Gods.”
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(Source: issuu.com)
Published in Stencil Magazine: Issue 12 on March 20th 2012.
Nottingham-based band Swound! have quietly been making a name for themselves over the last few years with sporadic EP and single releases, all which have received favourable attention from a number of publications and websites, as well as an appearance on Nickelodeon’s Yo Gabba Gabba. Now in 2012, the quartet are ready to unleash their debut full-length ‘Into The Sea’ on their own label, The Gremlin Corporation.
For those who aren’t familiar with Swound!’s style, expect to hear a mix of feel-good rock that takes its inspiration from Weezer and The Pixies. From the start this is something that is apparent as tracks like ‘Your Kids Are Gonna Love It’ and ‘In My Head,’ back up this fact. Whilst ‘Tokyo’ shows the bands capabilities of producing catchy, guitar-driven songs that have plenty of appeal and satisfying harmonies.
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(Source: issuu.com)
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on March 13th 2012.
Since forming in 2000, the career of Say Anything has been a rollercoaster ride; from the label bidding war following the release ofMenorah/Majora to the well-documented personal troubles of frontman Max Bemis to parting ways with RCA after releasing their 2009 self-titled album.
Now in 2012, Bemis and company have found a new home in Equal Vision Records, and along with it they have found much needed stability, as Anarchy, My Dear sees Say Anything producing a concise record with self-awareness and confidence.
Longtime fans will more than likely quickly fall for Anarchy…. From the start the band showcase that indie rock angst that they have consistently shown throughout numerous releases; ‘Burn A Miracle’ is a thriving punk-fuelled number that is bold and brash, and is an ideal opener.
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Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on March 7th 2012.
With both bands releasing well-received EP’s late last year, New York’s Pentimento and Young English have teamed up to release an eight-track split through Panic Records. For fans of both bands, this split sees them keeping up the momentum previous releases had. While for new fans, it is an ideal introduction.
Buffalo’s Pentimento open up the split with “L’esprit De Escalier (The Stairs),” a raw yet exuberant example of melodic punk rock; Jeramiah Pauly rough vocals combine well with the bands thick guitar riffs and complimentary drum work. Its an edgy, aggressive opener that makes the following track, “No Apology,” sound lighter.
It’s brighter tone and faster tempo give the band the ability to produce an approachable melody. Whereas “To The Bridge” keeps up the momentum with a thriving punk rock tempo and genuine, raw vocals from Pauly. Along with their appreciative, upbeat cover of Dashboard Confessional’s “The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most,” Pentimento are able to leave a valuable impression on their half of the split.
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(Source: underthegunreview.net)
Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on February 19th 2012.
After parting ways with Victory Records in July 2010, the future for Chicago pop-rockers The Audition was unknown; so much so that some fans were led to believe the band had called it a day. However now in February 2012, the band have returned albeit a slight line-up change; Joe Lussa has re-joined on bass and Jimmy Lopez has replaced the departed Seth Johnson on guitar. Nevertheless Chapter II sees a band that is refreshed and ready to take on the world.
With previous releases I have found The Audition to be slightly hit and miss, but on ‘Chapter II’ the band have produced a set of bold, blistering rock songs that prove to be striking with plenty of longevity.
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I’m pleased to announce Play Crack The Sky Music has a new name and is now called Already Heard.
Please head on over to AlreadyHeard.com. The full site will be launching in the coming months.
We’re also on Twitter and on Facebook.
Please feel free to contact me at the following address: sean@alreadyheard.com.
