ROCK RUNDOWN FOR 6/27/22

Temple 95 – “Joy”: Out of Columbus, Ohio comes an atypical and dark hard rock band ready to take the scene by storm. Off their highly anticipated debut EP titled Immolatus Agnus, “Joy” is officially the final and lengthiest track and has a throwback classic rock vibe to it, balancing modern eeriness with a retro sounding sound. The guitar play is a combination of polished with a tad of grit, the drum work is spot on to keep the harmony in line, and the vocals are intentionally raw to give the song its throwback sound. Old school rock aficionados who love iconic acts Rush, Iron Butterfly, and ? and the Mysterians should dig it, whereas newer generations of rock n’ roll fans are going to respect it. They are going for something different from what is being recorded and performed right now and by releasing delightful and dynamic nuggets as found on the EP, things are going according to plan. Temple 95’s Instagram feed is controlled by a haunting and mysterious collective named the Ministry who provide creative, thought-provoking posts. The band is already planning to drop a new EP titled Psychopathy this fall. When it is all said and done, “Joy” ought to bring the brooding, grim-themed group a little joy.

Trey Pearson – “Lucky”: The wide-ranged Columbus pop artist’s latest single is excellent in building anticipation for his new album Somebody You Knew, due out July 1. Pearson puts on one of his most prolific performances with an eloquently constructed ballad that has brilliant beats in sync with his pristine vocals. He never sings something just for the sake of making a buck in that he is writing and recording serious songs of substance. Every time Pearson sings, it is from the heart and soul and “Lucky” reiterates this point as listeners will hear the emotions and be affected to some degree. Empaths will be moved by the chorus that is a celebration of love and triumph in a world of vitriol and tragedy. Pearson hits all the right notes on the song and the same can be said for his career. He is coming off an appearance on PBS’ True Colors special which featured the iconic folk duo Indigo Girls among other musical acts and hosted by Jeopardy! Champion Amy Scheider. Furthermore, Pearson performed as part of his hometown Columbus’ Pride Weekend festivities, which were projected to have had nearly 700,000 attendees. Progress in the industry has seen Adam Lambert, Troye Sivan, MUNA, Lil’ Nas X, Brandi Carlisle, and more let their music speak for itself and flourish. Pearson is ready to make the leap to stardom on his artistic merit and “Lucky” continues the glorious journey.

undergrads – “Ball”: The Columbus rock outfit’s follow-up to their raucous rager “Epicenter” does not disappoint from start to finish. “Ball” begins with marvelous melodic guitar play with excellent emo vocals coming in seconds later. A perfectly placed drumbeat comes in afterward and rampaging riffs mixed in. A cunning chorus takes this to soaring heights with believable lyrics worthy of empathy as many in the local scene relate to the corporate dayjob life as they pursue their ambitions. The song’s realism, the on-point musicianship, and sharp arrangements reinforce this song’s status as one that can earn them a record deal and take them to the next level. Rock lovers are going to have a ball playing “Ball” over and over, making sure it catches on. These lads have their most mainstream single to-date and with a little editing of the verbiage, this gem has top-of-the-line terrestrial radio hit written all over it. Until they are signed, it ought to be part of multiple playlists and on repeat for the foreseeable future.

*Photo by Annalisa Hartlaub

wyd – “WMN”: Every time this Columbus indiepop trio drop a track, it is going to be a comeback and what a comeback the band is experiencing with their latest work of genius. On Spotify alone, “WMN” is their third most streamed tune to date, but that will change and their soon to expand fanbase will be increasing the streams in no time. The group made up of lead vocalist/guitarist Carly Fratianne, drummer Courtney Hall, and synthesist/background vocalist Maddy Ciampa return with their first piece of recorded music since the 2019 EP SICK/DEATH/AFTER. The band’s newest single exudes tantalizing soulful goodness with each member giving their all to provide their vision of pop perfection. Hall’s precise percussion work is in absolute harmony with Fratianne and Ciampa’s sharp singing chops reiterating the song’s R&B radiance. Imagine Macy Gray, H.E.R., and MUNA collaborating and the result is this genre-crossing hit-to-be. “WMN” is on the official soundtrack to the critically acclaimed indie film Poser, in which both the album and movie showcase the eclectic local music scene. As the film and soundtrack gain praise, wyd will see a bump in popularity and if the right people get an earful of “WMN”, the song and the band will be on the cusp of greatness. Each of their releases are special as they take their time to create high-quality, purposeful music at their pace and alt-pop enthusiasts ought to take a major liking to this radio-ready gem full of style and substance.

Kikko Mai – “idk why”: The second ever single by the Columbus singer-songwriter is every bit as great its predecessor “pinky promise”, showing this astounding artist is way ahead of the curve. Her latest offering slows the pace down from her impressive pop punk debut, yet with no drop-off in quality detected. “idk why” is made of a brilliant blend of outstanding acoustic guitar, Mai’s sensational vocals, and a hitmaking pop beat. She provides evidence of an expansive vocal, performing, and songwriting range by presenting listeners with a top-notch Top 40 pop ballad faster in tempo than Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You”, but just as musically effective. As Mai exploits audio-visual social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to get her name and music out there, it is only a matter of time before label execs get wind of one of the next generation’s surefire sensations. By scoring grand slams on her first two recordings and with live events in full swing, Mai should have no trouble procuring opening slot bookings to show the local scene she is set to be a major player for years to come.  

Rose Crest – “Effigy”: Pop punk with a kiss of emo is alive and kicking thanks to these lads from Dayton, Ohio and if they keep up this pace, the genre will survive for quite some time. The band goes all out on their newest tune with marvelous mixing by Huge Face Productions of each member’s part to create a short, yet sweet sounding rock single that scores high on the ear candy scale. Made up of gents Brandon Sorrell on lead vocals, Danny Council and Addyston Tucker Ray on guitars, Matt Atha behind the kit, and Jackson Medlock handling bass, “Effigy” is a bounce-off-the-walls banger that may give the band their break. The song’s infectious chorus, sizzling guitar riffs, fiery drum play, blazing bass, and sharp vocals display high-end sounding production value all thanks to Sandwich Jones. The team at Black Moon Recordings, who handled the mastering, deserve a ton of praise for the final draft that should carry the quintessential quintet into the year’s second half and beyond. “Effigy” is certainly a song with alt-rock awesomeness from start to finish that will help Rose Crest in growing their big sounding brand sooner versus later. This is not bad considering the group has only been dropping tunes since last year. If they bring the same kind of heat to concert sets that they did with this tune, Rose Crest will see the bookings and crowds increase for years to come. Credit and kudos go to James Robertson for the “Effigy” visualizer that will only help skyrocket the group to new heights.

TRUSS – “Reset My Head”: Best known for their remarkable debut single “Mayhem” with over a half-million Spotify streams, Cleveland’s premiere hard rock quartet is back with a butt kicker of a tune. It is an excellent premiere single that serves as the title track of their first full-length due to drop July 15. TRUSS’ newest gem is their first new recorded material since their cover of Soundgarden’s “Fell on Black Days” and they prove their original material is on par with major label bands’ best. From the jump, “Reset My Head” takes no prisoners with Guitarist Eric Kennedy providing rip-roaring riffs that continue throughout. Lead singer Hannah Crandall is the straw that stirs the drink and brings sizzle and passion with her vocal output. Drummer Holden Szalek delivers a powerful and impassioned effort behind the kit that mixes well with Kennedy’s guitar work. Delivering a unique blend of bass play is Thomas Rastatter and his craftiness fits the song like a glove. This song is an excellent example of the group’s durability and cohesion as songwriters and serves as amazing anticipation of the new record. If the remainder of the album is just as on-brand as the title track, TRUSS will not be unsigned much longer.

The Fifth House – “Charles Bukowski (But Not Because We Like Him)”: The Cleveland-based indie rock quartet’s musical arsenal is what Forrest Gump would call a box of chocolates. Their latest offering is styled quite differently from anything else they have released much to their fans’ fascination. The tune starts off as a heartfelt ballad with standout performances by lead vocalist/bassist Julia Crow and keyboardist/backing vocalist Caroline Hennebert. The first half will grab at listeners, but then after the two-minute work the band speeds things back up to their eccentric indie rock roots. After this point, guitarist Wesley Crow, and drummer Luke Kaylor really get to do their stuff and much like Julia and Hennebert, the fellas hold their own. The song’s arrangement and mashup of melodies is admired due to the challenges that come with creating and performing a song of this magnitude. Much respect should go to The Fifth House as it cannot be easy to pull off a hybrid of part ballad, part indie rock banger but their chemistry makes it flourish. The creativity alone should please their fanbase and gain them a bigger following along the way. Their uniqueness goes beyond the audio aspect as the band released a vid that is a throwback to the silent film era. Indiepop enthusiasts will get a kick out of “Charles Bukowski” as it demonstrates the band’s marvelous musicianship and is unlike anything else out there today.

Tornsey – “I Feel Fine”: Nashville singer-songwriter Tess Schoonhoven has release recorded music previously to much praise, however, this serves as a rebirth being the first single under her new moniker. After taking a personal journey she has been transparent about, Schoonhoven felt it was time for a change musically as well. The result is a ravishing rebranding that makes a significant splash. Co-written with Ty Combs, “I Feel Fine” is a pop bop about the process of getting beyond a breakup. The self-care anthem will resonate with listeners due to Tornsey’s realistic lyricism set to a late 1990s-esque pop styling. Although the subject matter is relatable to many, the song is atypical of what is being released right now which Tornsey should embrace with a badge of honor. “I Feel Fine” has poignant and melancholy undertones as a cocoon that becomes an uplifting butterfly of hope. This helps the outstanding re-debut stand out amongst the pack of other artists’ recent releases. Tornsey makes her point in short order as the song is under three minutes in length, but the happening harmonies and fabulous musicianship ensure the song is not short on quality. Schoonhoven’s identity musically and individually has found her having a pep like never before and the proof is in her latest masterpiece.

Back Alley Pep Rally – “Saturday Night Beaver”: Released in the early part of this month, the latest rager from the Dayton-based metal trio is one of wildest rides listeners will be taken on in recent memory. Comprised of Justin Rissmiller (vox/guitar), Dan Mehal (vox/bass), and Tony Garcia (drums), BAPR are short and to the point when it comes to the songs they play and their newest one is no different. Those who like their metal monstrous and fast will enjoy “Saturday Night Beaver” as it is a headbanger that will leave listeners with whiplash to the utmost extreme. Garcia’s drumming keeps up with the speed of Rismiller and Mehal, who are absolute beasts shredding their respective instruments. It sounds like an excellent tune to play during a horror flick’s action scenes and if the T&S recording artist keeps up songs like these, filmmakers will take notice. The razorblade riffs and overall precision on display will garner the blokes a great deal of respect for crafting the perfect song to unleash pent up energy in these days of unrest.

ROCK RUNDOWN FOR 2/14/22

EKKOHAWK – “Neon Skies”: Clocking in at nearly four minutes is the latest banger from the Columbus, Ohio quartet comprised of lead vocalist Brent Billet, bassist Bob Blackburn, guitarist Derrick Zajac, and drummer Shawn Huff. The song starts off with EKKOHAWK putting the pedal to the metal, but at the verse the band launches into their signature harmony with Billet’s distinct vocal work over Zajac’s solid guitar and Blackburn’s slick bass play. Huff’s dynamite drum work throughout is the glue that keeps everyone in sync, accentuating the other member’s parts. This makes “Neon Skies” a radio ready head-bobber from start to finish. The song has a sing-along factor incorporated into it, which reinforces its Top 40 worthiness in addition to being a crowd favorite at shows when the band elects to play live again. The group has been cranking out classic alternative rock gems for years one by one, putting the effort and time to make each one special and top of the line. The band should take a bow as “Neon Skies” is a tremendous continuation of that formula. Curious minds will want their ears to hear EKKOHAWK’S prior releases such as “California Chrome”, “Autopilot”, “Weapons”, and others for proof of their precision.

*Photo by BlazingChakrams Photography

Rooftops – “Now I Know”: Columbus singer-songwriter and producer Bryan Ream is back with a new raucous single in anticipation of the project’s debut EP Happy On The Outside, due out February 18. Although The 1975’s influence will be evident in this song, Ream’s songwriting and execution on guitar make his style distinct enough to have Rooftops’ latest stand on its own merit. “Now I Know” contains killer guitar play, Mark Fullen’s dynamic drumming, and outstanding singing throughout, reinforcing the song as perfect promotion for the upcoming record. The tune’s well-crafted verses and bridge as well as the fast pace from beginning to end make it a fun listen that will be on repeat for some time. Rooftops is maturing before listeners’ very ears as “Now I Know” is Ream’s best vocal output to date and fans should be excited for what they will hear on Happy On The Outside. 2021 was a big year for Ream as Rooftops made their live debut to much fanfare and will be on tour this month in support of the EP. Along with Unnus Latif’s invaluable involvement with Rooftops behind-the-scenes, the sky’s the limit for Ream to flesh out his own brand of alternative rock done right. With his prior releases such as “Falling”, “Queen City”, and more, the foundation is there as rock lovers cheer him on in his quest to the top.

Dead Set Ready – “Playing For Keeps”: The Columbus-based act founded and fronted by Damon May returns with an all claws out rock single that lives up to its title. Although the DSR has performed live in recent years, per streaming services such as Spotify and Bandcamp the new tune is the first DSR recorded material to drop in approximately a decade. They are back with a vengeance as the song impresses from the opening note to the last. May’s standout vocals shine against the speedball indie rock harmonies, making for a killer alt-rock gem sure to impress over the airwaves and live in concert. The band is highly regarded in the local scene over the years and May is justifiably protective of what goes out under this moniker. Greatness cannot be rushed and DSR’s latest is the epitome of such with passionate vocals, spot-on guitars, magnificent drums, and amazing instrumental arrangement. “Playing For Keeps” reiterates the band’s quality and shows that they fit right into today’s local scene and beyond. The track has what it takes to be heard on CD 92.9 FM, Radio 614, among other hometown outlets and is a welcome add to playlists everywhere. An impressive single such as this one will have listeners curious on what else DSR has cooked up for their next comeback. Until then, this smash along with last decade’s album Karma more than suffice.

*Photo by Mitchell Multimedia

Courtney From Work – “Kids Across The Nation: From their most recent album Yarb Hundy, the Columbus quartet just dropped the official vid for this song with the visual being just as entertaining as the audio. When it comes to their music videos, it may seem like the fellas do not take themselves too seriously and are out to have fun and act as they feel. On the other hand, when it comes to the songwriting, recording, and performing process, CFW are as serious as it gets. The group of Jacob Fournier (vox/guitar), Conner Hannah (bass), Andrew Davis (drums), and Colin Cavanaugh (guitar) make alternative make music on a prominent level just like rock faves Weezer, New Found Glory, Yellowcard, and others. On “Kids Across The Nation”, the self-proclaimed BBQ rock band delivers approximately five minutes of crisp vocals, raucous guitars, bombastic bass, and precise drums. The Long Nail recording artist are on the cusp of something great as they enter their sixth year as a group and are back at it working on new material. Until that single is released, CFW fans will get a kick out of strong songs off Yarb Hundy that include “Lunch Money”, “Loko”, “Caught Wasted”, and others.

The Slang – “Break The Rules”: With one member having roots in Columbus for a time, the currently D.C.-based duo comprised of multi-instrumentalists John Bobo (vocals) and Felix Nieto III (bass) recently released a video for this rock ballad as part of a romantic drama series tied into their latest full-length album Divide. In this latest video known as Chapter 4, the protagonist is in a long-term partnership, but after witnessing betrayal becomes torn between two lovers and eventually is at a crossroads with their next move. The song has sincere vocals infused with dynamite drum play and solid guitar throughout. It is a song that will equally entertain as it will resonate with listeners given the song’s message and The Slang’s execution. The song is a throwback to slower tempo love/break-up pop rock songs of decades past and kudos go to Bobo and Nieto for recording it with raw, unbridled emotion which shines through in the vocal and instrumental execution. The Slang are two talented, crafty blokes who, through use of the magnificently shot videos, will have viewers enthralled in the cinematic drama as well as the songs of various tempos attached to the story. To get the full effect of both Divide the LP and the web series, inquiring minds will want to access songs such as “Nothing Lasts Forever”, “Disguise”, and the title track on their favorite streaming platform and view all the passion and action via YouTube.

Flo Gallop – “sorry for you, mate”: Last year was huge for the London born and bred singer-songwriter, who dropped bop after bop after bop after bop with “21,”, “Can’t Be Friends”, “Chasing After You”, and “Up” garnering her much praise. On her latest, Gallop picks up where she left off with a song that gives off booming beats, happening harmonies, and Gallop’s top-notch vocals. The catchy three-minute single is a callout of an ex and serves as a therapeutic anthem for those looking to move on from their former partners’ toxicity The talent is evident in the infectious chorus and overall arrangement and the song should be at the top of the pops on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond. Much like her prior releases, Gallop provides a great deal of charisma and charm on “sorry for you, mate”. She has been able to perform live as of late to much acclaim, so she has been killing it in the studio and on stage. The proof exists that Gallop possesses the tools to be a major player in the pop genre for years to come.

*Photo by Nathan Purchase Photography

Chirp – “By the Book”: Creating feel-good jams on their terms and conditions, the Ann Arbor-based funk/pop group have recently released a bop that would impress the likes of Earth, Wind, and Fire in terms of craftmanship and professionalism. As evident on “By the Book” and their previous gems, Chirp likes having a good time when recording and performing but they always generate seriously topflight sounds when doing so. Their latest lets every member shine in their respective roles as throughout the near seven-minute masterpiece, lead singer Jay Frydenlund’s vocals are as strong as the day is long. The bass play of Brian Long is dynamite and distinct and is what helps make the song funky like a monkey. Frydenlund and Sam Naples are as great as can be performing guitar on “By the Book” and from the sounds of it, their enthusiasm was on full display in their role. Last, but absolutely not least, drummer Gastón Reggio does a damn fine job behind the kit helping each member in their role by being a master at his and with well-timed and well-blended play. Overall, the second single off their record In Motion completes its mission of giving off good vibes and making sure those who get an earful of it end up having good times.

Nowhere North – “Gods Gonna Cut You Down”: Comprised of Tyler Daniel and Jordan Boone, the Boise, Idaho musical act starts 2022 off with a haunting, goosebump inducing cover of the late Johnny Cash classic song. The musicianship and vocals are passionate and the eerie presentation puts listeners on notice. Nowhere North’s goal with the cover was to honor the Man In Black and, “inject his original with a sense of inevitability”. After a handful of streams, it is crystal clear that the outfit accomplished this mission. It cannot be easy to perform a legend the caliber of Cash’s songs and do so with unmatched vigor, but credit goes to Nowhere North for giving it a gallant effort and a whole lot more in pulling it off. There is an authenticity in the band’s performance of this tune that listeners’ hairs will be standing up for days after a listen or two. Ever since their 2019 debut single “Run”, the band has dropped one single each year proving that the approach of quality versus quantity has its validity. For all their excellence on this cover, those curious of what the Idahoans have to offer in terms of originals should certainly check out their aforementioned premiere along with “He Is” and “Old Ancient Tree”.

Temple 95 – “Year Zero”: On this YouTube exclusive, the Columbus musical act provide bone chilling vibes set to a unique style of metal that sounds inspired from dark, underground hard rock groups of yesteryear. In fact, the tune is a cover of a track by Grammy winning Swedish rock group Ghost. Given that there is virtually nothing else like it in the scene (or worldwide for that matter), this song works on so many levels. The chanting at the beginning will tingle some spines and if that does not do the trick, the razor-sharp guitars and dynamite drums will get the job done. The main vocals are a welcome contrast to the chanting and help balance “Year Zero” out, but it is clear that Temple 95 gave their all in getting this song recorded. The band deserves a great deal of praise with this inspiring debut and they have no plans to slow down anytime soon. The group has already uploaded yet another tune titled “Apollyon Rising” that fans of atypical gothic rock will enjoy.