Some Kind of Hate: Maudlin’s debut cassette, Levelhead’s lost album, and more
A roundup new and local punk, post-punk, garage, and emo tracks.
Maudlin: self-titled cassette
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Post-punk, goth, and darkwave’s back pages inform Maudlin’s self-titled debut cassette. Singer Jessica Knight’s macabre lyrics and commanding vocal delivery are accentuated by a capable cast of players. The pulse-racing drumming of Ryan Fetter (Waste Layer, Strategic War Heads) slingshots “Crooked” above its initial wall of lifeless distortion. The whole production is courtesy of talented locals, from the band members to mixer Rob Sarabia (Mutual Jerk, Strategic War Heads) and cover artist Jeremiah McCleary.
Maudlin plays a cassette release show at the Earl on Sat., June 11 with Wax Idols and King Woman. $10. 9 p.m. 488 Flat Shoals Ave. www.badearl.com.
Bad Spell: “Sick on Love” digital demo
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Bad Spell’s Bryan Malone (vocals, guitar), Shane Pringle (baritone guitar), and Pietro DiGennaro (drums) have a wealth of combined experience and knowledge when it comes to garage rock. Instead of chasing the sound of a particular era, or a member’s past band, the bass-less trio creates high-energy garage stompers for the here and now. Mixed but un-mastered song “Sick on Love” made its way onto Soundcloud earlier this month, and it’s a solid sample of the band’s updated take on timeless sounds.
Boy Scout: Leave It Sadder than You Found It demo
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Local duo Boy Scout’s demo blends garage-punk’s rough edges with the sensitive sounds of the modern emo revival. Josh Crusa and Evan Seeds earnestly emulate their emo heroes’ sad bastard lyrics without their songs sounding like knock-offs. Ample credit is due to a band clever enough to come up with the title of the demos’ best track, “Quitting Circle.”
Levelhead: self-titled album (Slender Boy/Fat Boy Records)
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Melodic punks Levelhead existed in from 1991 through 1997 — a time dominated by the DIY bands and legendary house show spaces chronicled on local musician James Joyce’s Beyond Failure blog. A planned LP recorded in 1995 never saw the light of day, limiting the band’s recorded output to 1994’s Spooky EP and a 1995 split 7-inch with Carbonas forerunner Quadiliacha. Twenty years later, a crowdfunding effort turned the 16-song album that never was into a proper vinyl release.
As for the songs, fans of the classic Lookout Records roster are in for a nice surprise. “Sorry Soda” and “Cyborg Soda” are chock-full of multi-part harmonies, carried by Milo Aukerman sound-alike Jay Neubert.
Some Kind of Hate is a collection of punk, metal, garage, and hardcore cuts released by bands or labels practicing their craft in and around Atlanta. The previous installment can be read here. Submissions are accepted via e-mail.