Holy City Zoo - No Bunting

I've been sitting here listening to Holy City Zoo's debut full length since it welcomed me home from Japan twenty plus day ago. Three weeks later and I still find myself struggling to find the appropriate words to describe my feelings in regards to an album I rooted so heavily for, but wasn't quite convinced would ever see the light of day. Doubts and fears caused by a year of deafening silence and inaction from a band that  has been featured here regularly since the blogs conception. If hindsight is 20/20. 2015 Was a year well spent for Frank, Joe, A.J. and Brian. Time spent creating an album that, by all means, is deserving of attention and praise from all angles of the music spectrum.

On their first full length "No Bunting" Holy City Zoo explore new territory musically without forgoing the ballsy nihilism that made them stand out in the first place.  The twelve song set opens curiously with "Memo" and it's Kraftwerk/ Devo / Revenge of the Nerds inspiring intro. A three minute jam that could fit easily on the space shuttles mix tape.The title track           "No Bunting" follows bringing the bands back to earth with that chaotic weirdness that always served them so well in the past. "We are the War", (This track is so fucking good.)             "Saw a Bush" and "Stan Lee's Cup" each highlight the bands gift for creative nihilism.      Tight and nasty with a flare for the eccentric.

Whereas HCZ have often found themselves navigating territory between the nihilism of           Rye Coalition and the more technical side of say, The Foo Fighters. "No Bunting"  shows the band exploring more of the technically savvy and experimental areas of their sound.           Most evident on "Even Steven gets the Blues." (My personal favorite.)                                     A song so eccentric and experimental. You would think there was a Fugazi like poltergeist lurking somewhere in the studio when it was recorded.
While I regret taking so long to write this review. I feel that it allowed me to thoroughly take in all the different nuances and elements the record has to offer. Overall, it had me scratching my head. Wondering, how could this possibly be the bands first full LP. As many of the acts that fueled the early days of this blog have faded ... Holy City Zoo continue to grow and mature musically, adding new and dynamic components to their sound without losing touch with what originally drew us to them. James Damion

Available Here

Vanishing Life - People Running / Vanishing Life

Vanishing Life, featuring Walter Schreifels, (Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Rival Schools)
Zach Blair, (Rise Against) Jamie Miller and Autry Fulbright (...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead) release their first single via Collect Records, a label fronted by Geoff Rickly, (Thursday, United Nations) and Norman Brannon. (Texas is the Reason)

Considering how the term "Supergroup" gets thrown around more frequently than a frisbee at a Phish concert. I'll do my best to avoid such references and stick with the music itself.
The two songs on the bands debut 7' EP feature a sound that, though not generic by any means, doesn't really stray far from the 90's Post Hardcore roots of what Walter was doing with Quicksand.
"People Running" has a nice fast paced grove to it. Highlighted by aggressive guitar leads and jangly bass.
The records B side
"Vanishing Life" sticks to the fast paced rhythm.
Vanishing Life's debut took a few listens to sink in. Initially sounding a little too polished and corporate for my tastes. However, after several or so flips of the record. I found myself slowly warming up to it. I think I'll have to wait until their full length before I make any serious judgements. Until then, the juries still out. I managed to snag on of the first 500 copies which come on transparent w/blue haze vinyl. Mint (700 copies available.) and Black (800) are also available. Digital downloads of the record have not yet been made available, so stay posted. Please note that the cost for this 2 song EP, seven dollars, plus shipping, seems criminally overpriced. While I can't come up with any reasoning behind it. I think that's a bit steep. Choose wisely. James Damion

The Wait - Systemic LP

The Wait (formerly known as Endgame) have been building a reputation as a New Jersey Post Core Powerhouse since deciding to move on from a straight up Hardcore style to a more mature approach.
The results seemed effortless with the band building on their already stellar musicianship, song writing ability and ever so catchy hooky riffs. I was first introduced to The Wait through my buddy Brain Macko back in 2010 and have been following the bands steady progress with a sense of awe since.

On Systematic, the bands debut album, The Wait continues to evolve and mature without losing any of the energy, honesty or appeal they displayed on prior recordings. Marked by excellent musicianship, melodies, lyrics and those ever so joyous riffs. "Systemic" is a record that has a sound and vibe that immediately resonates with the listener. The records opener "Ounces Away" grabs you from the moment the needle hit the record and never really lets go. The record also has very Jersey signature to it with songs like "Passaic River High", "Route 7" and even "My Last Employer".

"Systematic" is a must for fans of Quicksand, Hot Water Music, Jawbreaker and just about anything that's catchy as all fucking hell. The wait on this record is finally over. Now you just have to get yourself  a copy. James Damion

Buy it Here

Bandcamp