First Impressions is a collection of whiz-bang reviews of singles, 7″s, and shorter EPs, which are given a review after a single listen. This is a great way for TGEFM to showcase some of the releases which wouldn’t get a full review on their own.
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Scott & Pat – “The Terrible Two’s”
Wellsville Records, 15 May 2022
“The Terrible Two’s” starts up with a mean lead guitar and buzzes along like a snotty, angsty pop punk song about singer Scott Parente’s two-year old daughter. The lyrics are funny and relatable, coming off like a dad swapping stories with another. Special kudos to Patrick McVay (of The Putz, Classic Pat, etc) for putting together some killer music to go with the lyrics and for tossing on some nice backing vocals. I like this one a lot. No kid gloves to be found.
Review by RYAN
Speed – “Not That Nice”
Flatspot Records, 18 May 2022
I’ve not heard Speed before, but “Not That Nice” brings the hardcore heaviness. The drums are pretty pulverizing and keep in a nice groove. This isn’t the lightning-quick Minor Threat-style hardcore, but rather riff-driven grooves that cut back-and-forth through different sections. A couple of times the vocals don’t quite track right for me, and the grooves maybe have a bit of a Turnstile touch to them without ever quite hitting that blissful space that Glow On does. It hits hard like hardcore should, though.
Review by RYAN
Camp Trash – “Pursuit”
Count Your Lucky Stars, 18 May 2022
On Florida band Camp Trash’s new one, pretty tame guitars and drums come in first, alongside the lead vocals, before some pretty guitar twinkles join the fun and the drums go double-tapping. It’s a pretty good pop song, and the spaced out vocals and buzzing lead guitar during the bridge are pretty awesome. The lyrics are pretty much emo fodder, for what it’s worth. Fans of later Get Up Kids will dig this.
Review by RYAN
The Shorts – “Sharks”
Self-released, 19 May 2022
Australia’s The Shorts do skatepunk pretty right most of the time. I remember checking out an earlier EP by the band and there were some noticeable NOFX sounds coming from it. Their newest single, “Sharks”, has some of those same vibes, mostly in the instrumental melody/guitar riff that reminds me of Fat Mike & co. with less snot to the vocals. The song has some fun parts, especially the “na na na” backing vocals that pop up. This one’s a pretty good song for those looking for some raucous skatepunk.
Review by RYAN
SACK – “Wet Banana”
Red Scare Industries, 24 May 2022
SACK, the street rock band featuring members of The Lillingtons and Teenage Bottlerocket, has their first new album since 2003 on the way. Ahead of the release, they’ve just dropped the lead single, ridiculously titled “Wet Banana”. If you’ve heard the previous album, Get Wrecked, you’ll know the deal. This is goofy, high-energy pop punk with melodic lead guitars and Kody Templeman’s unique vocals singing silly lyrics about the dangers of Slip-and-Slide’s. It’s just what I’d hope for.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
