During

 You know the kind of highly-anticipated bands featuring members of already-accomplished and well-respected acts in the punk rock tribe? 

Well that's exactly what During is and, don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing.

And these members are three.

There is Steven Fisher, from Ballroom, Dozers (from the time he was still living in 'stralia) and the almighty Wilful Boys (go check them out NOW if it doesn't ring a deafening bell), who also plays in a couple of new projects called Pyrex and Big Kiss, there is Jordan "Lovelace", from Pampers, Tournament, Snoopy and The Who and "king of rock'n roll" Brandy, who's recorded a couple of bands you may have heard of at Spice World Studio and, at last, the third leg of the bar stool, Cory Plump from When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth and Spray Paint, from Texas, that became quite famous in the scene a few years back (I've personally always found them overrated but hey! taste and colours you know).

Yes, I warned you, that's a hell of a resume for a trio.

But let's come back to During and their first EP released on Chunklet Industries (an eclectic label from Atlanta I already talked about in my posts about Vangas) earlier this year.

Birds Of Juneau starts like a Brandy track, with a lot of "chorus" on the vocals and a "haunting" drum beat (which is always a good start) but During's identity comes quickly into play with some well placed synth layers, not at all built in a "new wave purpose" but rather as a support to the whole and as an additional layer of "space surf" atmosphere (if you know what I mean). Of course Birds Of Juneau is catchy as fuck (I couldn't expect less from this trio), another very good example of sleek and ultra effective song construction that Brandy masters perfectly.

Big Farmer is quite different: built like a mid-tempo noise rock song reminiscent of Brandy's early materials and of some Running's tracks, the song also perfectly mixes a heavy dose of post-punk (distant vocals, gloomish atmosphere etc...), Cory's influence I would say, without ever compromising the catchy side. Of course I could not help but hear "Big Pharma" all along (would it have been a topic in the air for about year or so hmm?).

Unfortunately it's a two track 7", two tracks only yes... but two bloody solid tracks which display two musical aspects the band may choose to develop in the (very) near future. It does sound like the Brandy influence is dominating the whole thing, which is real good news to me...

I also have to mention the artwork made by Ben from the great Cuntz, it makes me think a lot of some of the Pablo Picasso's freehand sketches (Ben will appreciate the comparison I guess ahah) he used to sow everywhere in his path... a taste of early 20th century decadence in a sense. Great artwork in my humble opinion. 

Chunklet announces a During's full length before the end of the year... based on this 7'' it's not unlikely it gets out just in time to make it to my year's top! Can't wait!

 

N,J'Oi!

You can listen to During on Rien à Faire #27.

 

 

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