Pop-punk is not dead! ‘For All The Wrong Reasons’, the latest band to hit the resurgent music genre hard, are proof positive. Formed in Lincoln in January 2013, the band are set to release their debut EP ‘We’re Not Losing, We’re Just Not Winning’ on August 26th and, with gigs a plenty and a music video for their debut single on the horizon, they don’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.
The EP, produced by Lester Woodward at Regal House Studio, is a commendable first effort that seamlessly blends classic elements of 90s pop-punk with more modern and contemporary components.
It kicks off with the debut single ‘These Past Few Years Haven’t Been So Kind’, a catchy opener that showcases the band’s infectious vocal melodies. Bass tones that are full and voluptuous in the mix but crunchy upon impact anchor a deep and layered sound that would expect from a 5 piece. Lyrically, there’s a lot of negative material to relate to; getting dumped by your girlfriend, dealing with bullies, relying on your friends, even seasonal affective disorder, but these things are ultimately used as inspiration and the song must acquiesce. Remove the melancholy mask and you’ll see a surprisingly happy little man, grinning in the face of his tormentors, excited for the future because he knows that “this shit gets better”.
‘Who Died and Made You King of the Zombies’ follows and displays the band’s ability, not only to churn out catchy, chunky riffs, but to complement those riffs with technical lead lines. Like every song on the EP, the lyrics aren’t glamorous or pompous. They speak of everyday life and persist on being optimistic against all odds.
Arguably the most contemporary effort on the record, ‘It Always Rains (Except When it Snows)’ brings more aggression, particularly from the drums and the vocals. It sounds a lot like ‘Living with Lions’ in that respect, which can only be a compliment. Again, we can hear more of that bittersweet defiance and rebellion that will undoubtedly come to define this band, as well as another less than subtle dig at the good old English weather!
This aggression is maintained through ‘It’s Not Me with the Problem, it’s Everyone Else’, which proves to be an interesting concept in terms of structure. Three consecutive verses lead into a rim-shot breakdown which, in turn, gives way to a softer, more melodic section and a change in vocal duties. Normal order is then resumed and the driving notes we’ve become familiar with provide the resolution.
‘Worn Out’ is the closing track and, by far, the catchiest. The simple yet melodic trifecta provided by the lead guitar sneaks in behind the driving bass and sing along vocals but sticks around for longer than the other components, while the final minute and a half of the song is dedicated to bellowing out the band’s mantra. In case you didn’t catch it the first time, the guys kindly repeat it once or twice. And it’s worth repeating. And it will be repeated! “We are young, we’ll never be forgotten” will be on the lips of every teenager that takes something from this record. It’s the kind of persistent, rebellious, never say die attitude that punk and all of its subgenres have become known for and that will continue to relate to so many young people.
I guess I learnt two things from listening to this EP. One… Pop-punk isn’t dead but it certainly hasn’t sounded like this before. The genre is progressing, diversifying and evolving and ‘For All the Wrong Reasons’ are right there at the forefront. And two… These guys really hate the rain!
‘For All The Wrong Reasons’ are:
- Alexander Statham (Vocals)
- Jacob Pointing (Guitar/Vocals)
- Chris Dunn (Guitar)
- Aiden De Ruiter (Bass)
- Lou Coe (Drums)
‘For All The Wrong Reasons’ can be found at:
- www.facebook.com/FATWRUK
- forallthewrongreasons.bandcamp.com
The EP, produced by Lester Woodward at Regal House Studio, is a commendable first effort that seamlessly blends classic elements of 90s pop-punk with more modern and contemporary components.
It kicks off with the debut single ‘These Past Few Years Haven’t Been So Kind’, a catchy opener that showcases the band’s infectious vocal melodies. Bass tones that are full and voluptuous in the mix but crunchy upon impact anchor a deep and layered sound that would expect from a 5 piece. Lyrically, there’s a lot of negative material to relate to; getting dumped by your girlfriend, dealing with bullies, relying on your friends, even seasonal affective disorder, but these things are ultimately used as inspiration and the song must acquiesce. Remove the melancholy mask and you’ll see a surprisingly happy little man, grinning in the face of his tormentors, excited for the future because he knows that “this shit gets better”.
‘Who Died and Made You King of the Zombies’ follows and displays the band’s ability, not only to churn out catchy, chunky riffs, but to complement those riffs with technical lead lines. Like every song on the EP, the lyrics aren’t glamorous or pompous. They speak of everyday life and persist on being optimistic against all odds.
Arguably the most contemporary effort on the record, ‘It Always Rains (Except When it Snows)’ brings more aggression, particularly from the drums and the vocals. It sounds a lot like ‘Living with Lions’ in that respect, which can only be a compliment. Again, we can hear more of that bittersweet defiance and rebellion that will undoubtedly come to define this band, as well as another less than subtle dig at the good old English weather!
This aggression is maintained through ‘It’s Not Me with the Problem, it’s Everyone Else’, which proves to be an interesting concept in terms of structure. Three consecutive verses lead into a rim-shot breakdown which, in turn, gives way to a softer, more melodic section and a change in vocal duties. Normal order is then resumed and the driving notes we’ve become familiar with provide the resolution.
‘Worn Out’ is the closing track and, by far, the catchiest. The simple yet melodic trifecta provided by the lead guitar sneaks in behind the driving bass and sing along vocals but sticks around for longer than the other components, while the final minute and a half of the song is dedicated to bellowing out the band’s mantra. In case you didn’t catch it the first time, the guys kindly repeat it once or twice. And it’s worth repeating. And it will be repeated! “We are young, we’ll never be forgotten” will be on the lips of every teenager that takes something from this record. It’s the kind of persistent, rebellious, never say die attitude that punk and all of its subgenres have become known for and that will continue to relate to so many young people.
I guess I learnt two things from listening to this EP. One… Pop-punk isn’t dead but it certainly hasn’t sounded like this before. The genre is progressing, diversifying and evolving and ‘For All the Wrong Reasons’ are right there at the forefront. And two… These guys really hate the rain!
‘For All The Wrong Reasons’ are:
- Alexander Statham (Vocals)
- Jacob Pointing (Guitar/Vocals)
- Chris Dunn (Guitar)
- Aiden De Ruiter (Bass)
- Lou Coe (Drums)
‘For All The Wrong Reasons’ can be found at:
- www.facebook.com/FATWRUK
- forallthewrongreasons.bandcamp.com