Strength In Blunders – ‘Life At Midnight’

Strength In Blunders – Swindon, England, United Kingdom.

Strength In Blunders, a unique yet familiar take on Punk Rock. Discovered at Rebellion Festival 2014.

Based in Swindon, Strength In Blunders are a 2-piece  – with the addition of a live bassist – Punk Rock band, mixing a variety of Punk’s diversifications to varying degrees; from both the older and newer stock. I first discovered the band at Rebellion Festival back in August of this year, on the festival’s ‘Pavilion – New Band Stage’. After the band’s set, my girlfriend (I’d probably gone to the bar, again) got talking to the bands vocalist, Jaseph Graves, at their merch table and in mentioning Musically Fresh, spurned the bands interest. In short, we ended up with a copy of the debut album and were more than happy to take it on board and give it the Fresh treatment. Before you ask, no, I haven’t got bored of these horrific puns yet.

Before we get going, a few words on the band’s sound. Describing themselves as a Punk-Rock/Ska Punk band with a Post-Punk influence, SIB’s sound fits this well. I won’t give too much away, but there is so much more to SIB. Fans of the 90’s Punk sound, that of Skate-Punk and some of the vaguely poppier material, may find something here. Just as fans of the more ‘English’ styles of the late 70’s and 80’s sounds, as well as the Post-Punk characteristics that responded to ’77.

A quick rant if you will. I acknowledge the fact that ‘Post-Punk’ is a genre and style of music. There have been some really successful bands, but I really dislike the term for what it implies, that being of course that Punk is dead and died in the early 80’s. Which of course, for lack of a better set of words, is utter shit.

The media and the controlled music industry dubbed that it was ‘dead’… see where I’m going with this? Personally, when it comes to Punk music, when asked what I like specifically I usually answer something along the lines of, ‘From ’77 until now’. Since it apparently ‘died’ (it didn’t), there has been, and indeed, are a fuck ton of Punk Rock bands playing many different styles and sub genres worldwide and it shows no way of letting up just yet.

Anyway rant over, here’s our review of Live At Midnight:

1. Sweet Dreams My Little Nightmare – Beginning with a low and fast riff reminiscent of the heavy side of Chicago’s Alkaline Trio, SIB get right to it with track 1. Into the verses, you are sent right back into more of an old school sound – think English and British Punk from the late 70’s and early 80’s. In regard to the chorus, musically it leaves the low chugging behind for faster, lighter riff that drives on a hook laden chorus that reminds you of California legends, Face to Face – but with English accents.

‘This is our time and we take it for granted. Over my head and I never planned this. Secrets I know, about to explode, now all else has failed, how could I have known?’ 

2. Cemetery Season – Slowing things down a tad, track 2. Concerning a failing relationship ‘Cemetery Season’ tackles the issue of knowing something is going down, the awareness of mistakes and the inability to change the path that plagues so many in a rut. Well written and more sombre than the previous, the band’s Post-Punk influences come through in the general mood the song generates. Musically as well as the Post-Punk-esque guitar work in the verses, the song leans slightly towards an Alternative Rock sound.

3. Playing It Bogart –  The pace is reset for track 3. ‘From the wreck I crawl ,slightly dazed and wide awake, I left you behind. No second thoughts, conscience burns red with unsaid words, dying memories of colliding worlds. I’m not the one you need. I’m nothing more than you see. These days belong to you so waste them without me.’  Regret and anger, directed at yourself. ‘Playing It Bogart’ is a song for anyone who has hurt another and has become disgusted in themselves with their own actions. Punk is useful for letting it out… without sounding like a dodgy Pop-Rock/’Emo’ band. That’s just shit.

4. Dismembered Remembered – Pride can get in the way, as can the past. Two things that you may have to get past in order to get on with your life. It isn’t always easy however. One of the easy listening tracks on the album, number 4 carries an Alkaline Trio/Face To Face-esque set of rhythms with a sing-a-long chorus and the Strength In Blunders signature vocal style.

‘Dismembered, remembered, I’d choke if I swallowed my pride. Doused, lit, incinerated, pay respect carry on with your life’ 

5. Hospital Walls – Easily the best song on the album, ‘Hospital Walls’ could have easily been on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game back when they were good. Remember those? I have this image of collecting ‘SKATE’, ollie-ing a stupid height onto and balancing on a rail over a punji pit then down into a stupidly large half-pipe, pulling off a impossible amount of tricks and then fucking it up just to do it again and again until I mastered it. In regard as to why the song reminds me of those years; it is fast paced, melodic yet jagged and has a killer chorus. Lyrically, and to an extent musically as well, it is something that you would’t put past seeing on a an album from Florida veterans Hot Water Music.

6. Regret Pending – A playful bounce on the guitar before launching us into a heavy Alt. Rock riff. A bit of quiet, then some low chugging. Good start ‘Regret Pending’, good start. Overall, a slower, bouncy track with an infectious set of rhythms and choruses that will leave an imprint. Track 6 is a good example of the band’s overall sound, their capability to sound heavy and sombre, yet pull off a sing-a-long chorus, makes good use of their influences and adds variety.

7. Eat Me (Alive) – SIB released number 7 as the single with an accompanying video, which incidental shall be posted at the bottom. Showing off the band’s Ska flirtation, ‘Eat Me (Alive)’ is a shout of realisation. An ode to that desensitization that grabs, takes hold and can subjugate. Cheeky Ska guitar and bass, as well as simple, heavy and strong Rhythms. Fuck you anxiety, fuck you.

8. Precious Seconds – If you’re into your 90’s Punk. ‘Precious Seconds’ has the rhythms, the speed, the lyrics and the precious seconds; 160 of them.

9. Real Horror Show – After the nullification of a relationship (which had nothing to do with you), the last thing you want to see/hear is the very person who left you broken in the first place. Graves sings out his frustration on a situation that isn’t exactly preferable. Again, with hits of the heavier end of Alkaline Trio, track 9 isn’t half bad.

10. Casting Shadows –  One of SIB’s ‘rockier’ riff orientated tracks to finish. A testament to the band’s song writing, ‘Casting Shadows’ may not be the fastest, but it retains the band’s heavier side and penchant for the aforementioned ‘rockier’ sound; which is no surprise as Husker Du are cited as an influence. ‘Youth it has been stricken, whispered words are spoken; stories are left ferment. This life don’t want our attempts’.

Life at Midnight, the first full length from Swindon’s Strength In Blunders, show casing their own version of Punk, the band have produced a solid album full of both originality and nods towards the greats.

Musically Fresh give these gents a solid 7.5/10 – keep an eye on them, we will be.

If you’re interested in the Strength In Blunders and ‘Life At Midnight’ the album is available from the bands gigs and bigcartel in hard copy CD, and also available on CD and download – along with the band’s merch – from their bandcamp profile. To keep track of the band find them Facebook. Now though however, here’s ‘Eat Me (Alive)’.

#StayFresh