Allegedly Records, Coffin Curse Records – 29 Sep 2023
Old school punks, The Downstrokes, remind the kids how it’s done.
January and February are usually slow months for new releases and touring bands hitting the upper midwest. In a perfect world, that would mean I take a little breather. In the real world, it gives me a chance to dive into the overgrown pile of records that I didn’t give proper attention to last year.
As a young man, I remember thinking that nobody over 40 had any business playing rock and roll, let alone punk. Now that I’m a decade past that deadline myself, I’m glad to admit that I was wrong. I’m also glad that so many guys in their 50s and beyond are still kicking out the jams. The main players in The Downstrokes are no spring chickens, but still seem to have plenty of gas left in the creative tank. This Close To Vertigo is the 2nd full length (plus a 12” EP and a 7” single) from these gracefully aging western Maryland punks.
*For the sake of total disclosure, I must admit that I’ve got to know vocalist/guitarist Gerry LaFemina a bit over the last few years through his role as president of Savage Mountain Punk Arts. SMPA is a non-profit that does all kinds of cool stuff in western Maryland. Their biggest annual event is the Savage Mountain Punk Fest, which I’ve attended the last three years.
The Downstrokes play punk rock, but they’re not afraid to let other influences seep in. There are definitely bits of mod along with classic rock and ‘80s college rock. Occasionally they’ll even approach old school hardcore ferociousness. LeFemina half sings and half shouts his way through his story songs. Side 1 opener “Kaput” recalls bad behavior leading to bad endings. “Strays” romanticizes the hard times that led him to where he is now. “Go Nowhere Kids” tells the universal story of the struggles of youth. “She” slows things down a little. It’s got some great lead guitar work, and could almost pass for a ballad.
Dark side 2 opener “Downtown Queen City” throws in some female backing vocals for an X like sound. “UFO Baby” adds a little levity to what is otherwise a fairly serious record. On “Don’t Go Back to Dallas”, the writer pleads with a lover to stay. The title track ends the record, comparing falling in love to losing all sense of equilibrium. Ultimately, This Close To Vertigo is a really solid record from punk veterans with worthwhile stories to tell.
For vinyl fiends:I can’t find any pressing info, but I know it’s available on black wax because that’s what I’ve got. It also includes a nice, oversized lyric sheet.
The Downstrokes Bandcamp
The Downstrokes Spotify
Part-time punk writer, suburban dad and angry old man. Follow my adventures on the Punk Till I Die podcast!
