Newschooled – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
We love the up-and-coming at Musically Fresh, so when we received a message from this Canadian lot, we set to listening. The above photo isn’t all of them by the way, because that would be ridiculous… We’d spend most of the time naming each band member and trying work out which guitar string was plucked by who. These guys are your classic four-piece.
‘We’re not trying to sound like anybody, we’re just writing and playing music straight from the heart. What comes out is genuine.’
The band have a total of fifteen tracks recorded, nine of which form the No Idea mini-album.
In many ways, my initial opinions on their sound led me to describe it as a cross between Pennywise and the quirky nature of older bands of the US Punk scene, such as: The Adolescents, Gorilla Biscuits and The Germs. I’m not saying that they sound EXACTLY like the aforementioned, but upon listening, you’ll certainly get an idea of what I mean.
While we’re dropping names, there are some parallels towards early No Use For A Name that can also be drawn.
After forming (as a three-piece) in 2015, the band shortly released their debut mini-album, No Idea. Speaking of which, here’s the first track.
The band’s Bassist, Rob, who very nicely answered some questions for us, is the current vocalist. However, with the introduction of their new guitarist, the band are now also looking for a new vocalist, so that Rob, in his own words, can ‘focus on channelling my inner Matt Freeman!’
The song writing is as honest as can be; something Punk-Rock arguably holds as its forte. The best way to get a feel for the band and the lyrical content it seems, was to ask dearest Rob once more:
‘I tend to write songs around what’s going on in the world or my life. The first album had a lot of angsty stuff in it, because that’s where I was at the time. Pretty angry and bitter at some of the things life had thrown at me.
From the new upcoming album, you can expect a lot more motivational and encouraging topics; a lot of empowering stuff. Because at this point, I’ve kinda grabbed my own life by the balls and I’m making it my bitch. The moral of the story is that geniune ambition and positivity wins over dwelling on the negative shit any day.’
Browsing through the band’s Reverbnation profile and listening to both No Idea the band’s other six tracks, the group’s short time on the scene definitely doesn’t show. The recording is good, and the sound is raw and refreshingly old-school.
It’s clear that Newschooled have worked their arses off for this and have not let the stress of forming a band and making music get to them, whilst at the same time embattling against the manic existence that is modern life.
It’s also good to have a sense of humour too. For that, they have ‘Probably The Worst Song In The World’ and a Punk-Rock cover of the Teenage Mutant Niger Turtles theme song… It’s not bad either. #TurtlePower
The band’s social and political awareness is very much entrenched in their sound, yet it isn’t over the top or preachy in any way. The music is punchy, the vocals are punchy and the messages are punchy. I like it punchy and this album is punchy. Not kicky though, fuck that.
A few words on the album next. As you heard above, by clicking play on ‘Gluten Free Jesus’, the band’s solid Punk-Rock and raspy vocals are right in the face, punching away before you can even block.
‘Homesick’ kicks (punches) things up a notch with a faster tempo and classic Skate Punk rhythms, that even the Pennywise boys would be proud of. But you already knew that, because you clicked on that one too…
‘Watch Me Bleed’ is this releases anthem. The risky contrast between the harder, and more sombre vocals is redeemed by the general fist-pumping potential and melodic Skate Punk chord progression.
With ‘Heroes In A Half Shell’ cover in its alternative old-school Hardcore form, the album is broken up a bit before the mildly upbeat and down tempo, ‘Mind Control’, and the fast hybrid of Melodic and old-school Hardcore, ‘These Days’, takes control.
Anyway, enough my rambling. If you’re into Punk-Rock or simply want to hear a band that is well worth your time, then head to their Reverbnation profile – Here – to stream all their tracks and download all nine from the album for FREE.
For their up-to-date news, the band can be found on Facebook – Here. And now, ‘Heroes In A Half Shell’:
1 Response
[…] Newschooled ‘No Idea’ Review. […]