Super Giants- The Space Mutant Appears

As a punk rock connoisseur who's been around the block with searching out bands that "get it" for more than two decades, I'd have to say one of the greatest highs I can experience is when I discover. Discovery is a natural high with varying degrees of awesomeness. For instance, when a band you've loved for many years has a new release and you hear it for the first time. Great feeling there but another degree of this musical intoxication I crave and get totally excited for because it's hard to achieve is the kind that comes from hearing a brand new band in their first moment of revealing who they are. A first release can draw me in like a magnet or push me forward with little interest to hear anything else a band does in the future. Like a first kiss almost! If it's good, it's GOOD, and if it's bad, NO THANKS haha. My latest tale of discovery is one with a brand new band and it all started when I met two guys standing on the other side of an Insubordination Fest merch table I was working at in Baltimore during the summer of 2012. I was pretty sure they were withholding some sort of superhero team identity and as of now, I can confirm I was right. They go by the name of Super Giants, have a release called "The Space Mutant Appears", and that's what I'd like to introduce to you all today!

The songs were recorded during June of 2012 at Felder Studio by Carter Felder in Charlottesville, VA who also handled the task of sound engineering and drum programming. Carter has a running history in assisting with both Dustin and Christian's projects. He did a great job as usual! Mastering credits go to TJ Lipple. The vibrant cover art was done by Richard Hansen and really ties into the Japanese anime superhero/supernatural theme that Super Giants are wanting to project. I like it! November 13th, 2014 was the release date of "The Space Mutant Appears". It's a digital only, self release and can be purchased and/or streamed through their bandcamp page. Click here to check it out!

It's always interesting to see a band really go for it in the sense of creating a total atmosphere for what they do and Super Giants have something going that's very appealing to me. Most importantly is the music which has a really kickass Lillingtons (Death By Television/The Backchannel Broadcast) pop punk vibe that also leans into a Riverdales feel. Those two elements are enough to make my little Dee Dee heart skip a beat but it doesn't end there! Any band can play off of influences, and EVERYBODY getting their start after the initial beginning in the pop punk universe does it but what sets a band aside is how they decide to make it their own. Christian and Dustin mutually possess a love for the darker side of sci-fi and the supernatural. There is a campy touch in the sound of the songs that they play but it's real well blended with a heavy streak of  somber obscurity. That's what gives them dimension! These three songs open up with "The White Owl" featuring Dustin on vocals. It's got a perfect downstroke that's fast, catchy, and menacing, giving a strong foundation to a tale of the horror experienced by an alien abductee. This is the most powerful I've ever heard him sing and I love it! Christian steps up to take the vocal duties for the other two tracks, "World At My Mercy" being the first which is an awesome tribute to Ed Wood's "Bride Of The Monster". I love the concept of both guys singing because he has such a different vocal approach that adds another layer to this band. It has more of a crooner sound with an endearing 50's/60's quirkiness. He's the romantic! This mid tempo gem finishes with an abrupt stop and that leads you to the closer, "Space Madness". This one has a neat balance of an other worldly and common elements, as a story unfolds with a couple escaping the end of the world to live in space but falling out of love as they lose their sanity. Songs that are demented and pretty at the same time capture my heart easily so I am a fan of this man's skill as a lyricist. There's also some fantastic leads on guitar!

Now I know this is only three songs but hopefully I've peaked your curiosity enough to check out Super Giants because they've already got me in their clutches! Stream the songs, add them to your collection, and don't get too comfortable because an exciting new development is already being hatched. The guys are in the process of demoing the next release which will be a four song EP featuring the addition of a live drummer who's identity I will keep shrouded in mystery for now but take my word for it, he's one hell of a catch! Make sure to go like their facebook page to stay tuned as the story of Super Giants unfolds... I think we're in for something good with them!

Super Giants are...

Christian Golden- Guitar and Vocals
Dustin Umberger- Bass and Vocals

All songs written by Super Giants 

Tracks

1. The White Owl

2. World At My Mercy

3. Space Madness

The Windowsill/New Rochelles Split

I had a great time covering the Horror Section/Eaten Back To Life split LP back in August but there's another kind of split I was hoping to come across to include in this year's batch of reviews. That is one of the 7" variety featuring bands from different countries. 7" splits are great due to the opportunity they give you to check out a couple bands in a non committal way but ones that give a look at what's going on at a global level are important to keeping a small scene like ours growing and afloat. I had heard about this particular one taking shape quite awhile ago and it's finally out for us to hear! Let's talk about a split featuring two bands on opposite sides of the globe that share a common goal, The Windowsill and The New Rochelles!

The Windowsill songs were recorded/mixed/mastered after the completion of their debut record starting in the mid summer of 2012, with the drums at their rehearsal space and all other parts finished in early 2013 at West Side Aight Studio by Simon "Speechless" Baken. The recording quality is once again impeccable for the third time that I've heard his work this year. Producer credits are shared by both Simon and Marien. The New Rochelles songs were produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered during the spring of 2012 by Greg Tamao at the Tomato Farm Studio. Release happened just yesterday on the 18th of November, a co-effort by Swamp Cabbage Records from America and Lost Youth Records from Belgium in the form of a 7" on black vinyl. 500 pieces are available and you can order them through the SCR  or LYR webstores. The songs are also streamable through through SCR's bandcamp page. 

The New Yorkers are up first on Side A. I've been a fan of The New Rochelles cartoonesque pop punk that heavily pays tribute to the godfathers of punk rock ever since I heard "This Is My LJ", a song from their first release. The lightheartedness in their approach paired with Ronnie's great vocals and talent as a songwriter make what they do kinda just stick to your brain like bubblegum. This description is proven as fact once you hear their first offering called "Hey Pizza". Any self respecting Ramones fan knows what this song is about by looking at the title but for those that need the assistance, hell yes, it's about Rock 'n' Roll High School! In the two minutes and nineteen seconds, they manage to cram in many references to the movie plot and characters. From the parents burning records to poor Joey being fed wheat germ, they got it covered and it's hilarious. Cool song! The faster "I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Crawlspace" follows which is a fine display family dysfunction and that's it for them! Side B goes to the fellas from Rotterdam. I've been dizzy with infatuation for all things including  Marien Nicotine this year, from Giant Eagles to The Windowsill's releases so it was great news to see I'd be getting the chance to hear a little more of them. Immaculately arranged pop punk songs with a few extra touches of pop sensible rock 'n' roll is what you can place a heavy wager on every time from The Windowsill. With that being said, I was once again a Riff with little hearts in my eyes for their two songs. Both focus on darker subjects but come through with such a brightness starting with "She's Leaving". Beautiful guitars, solid drumming, and an amazingly powerful bridge make for a wonderful song telling the story of a love that's falling apart. Sander also takes the spotlight with some countersinging just after the bridge. I really love his vocal tone. The second track entitled, "Start Digging", seems to be a continuation from the first as a tale of dying from heartbreak. Gorgeous solo and a perfect representation of my fondness for Marien's skill as a narrator through his lyrics. He's fantastic at creating a bold visual through that and the emotional openness carried in his voice.

This turned out to be a cool little record so I recommend it be streamed and then added to your collection! Also, both bands are in the works with new projects so stay tuned to their facebook pages for all upcoming details.  

The Windowsill is...

Ivo Backbreaker- Drums
Jerry Hormone- Bass, Vocals
Sander Wired- Guitar, Vocals
Marien Nicotine- Vocals, Guitar

with additional Singing and guitar by Simon Baken

All music and lyrics by Marien Nicotine except for "She's Leaving" with lyrics by Nicotine/Hormone

The New Rochelles are...

Ronnie Rochelle- Guitar and Lead Vocals

Ricky Rochelle- Drums and Backing Vocals

Rookie Rochelle- Bass

 "Hey Pizza" written by The New Rochelles and "I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Crawlspace" by Ronnie Rochelle

Tracks

Side A The New Rochelles

1. Hey Pizza

2. I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Crawlspace

Side B The Windowsill

3. She's Leaving

4. Start Digging