Some Kind of Hate: Ringgold rockers, melodic punks, and gross-out grind
Ringgold garage rockers the Mumzees have a slick-sounding, reverb-drenched album dropping today. Plus, new melodic punk and metal releases culled from the web.
- Bobby Moore
- Ringgold-based garage trio the Mumzees, one of the pleasant surprises of last summer’s Meltasia, have a new album out March 31.
Mumzees: Heavy Desert CD/cassette (Broken Hip Records)
Heavy Desert by The Mumzees
Reverb-drenched garage from Georgia is alive and well in 2015 thanks to Ringgold-based youngsters the Mumzees. The four-piece creates its own take on contemporary Burger cassettes and Subpop Singles Club cuts of yore, as heard on surprisingly slick full-length Heavy Desert, out on CD and cassette March 31 via Broken Hip Records. If the group’s set last summer at Meltasia is any indication, this trio puts on a raucous live show, so they are worth catching on stage or in a basement the next time they pass through town.
Aborning: Four Servings of Human Flesh digital split with Chainsaw Castration, Cheerleader Concubine, and Regurgitated Pus
Newnan death grinders Aborning linked up with three like-minded acts for this free digital compilation. The Georgia boys’ offerings, “DTF” and “Fisted and Bloodied,” are two of the better tracks on the split, mixing intricate riffs with presumably gross yet impossible to decipher lyrics. All eight tracks are probably intended for a pretty specific audience, so the appeal will probably be lost on most. Still, at “name your price,” it is worth investigating.
Catastrofear: “Clash of the Mighty” digital single
Clash Of The Mighty by Catastrofear
Emerging from the mountains near longtime metal hotbed Chattanooga, Tenn., Ringgold-based thrash metal purists Catastrofear unveiled four new tracks in February via Bandcamp. Instead of drifting from their source material, the band remains true to classic thrash and metal sounds. This, paired with gruff vocals that sound more UK 82 punk than new wave of British Heavy Metal, makes tracks such as “Clash of the Mighty” nods to the halcyon days of heavy rock.
Powerbaby- Get Out of Town CD (self-released)
Local trio Powebaby is difficult to define. The group’s introspective lyrics would suit an indie-pop band, while its high-energy, melodic approach to songwriting is akin to pop-inspired punk. Plus, the vocalist sounds a lot like Ian Manhire from Canadian powerpop trio the White Wires. Genre confusion aside, this is a solid five-song collection of catchy, punchy, emotive rock ’n’ roll. “Weather is Good” captures the band’s sound well and stops being serious long enough for a seemingly intentional nod to Carrie Underwood’s Sunday Night Football theme song.
Powerbaby play a CD release show with the Hotels, Rad-isaurus Rex, and Jesse Nighswonger at 529 on Fri., April 10. $5. 9 p.m. 529 Flat Shoals Ave. www.529atlanta.com.
Spray Tan- Feel the Fear digital album
Spray Tan’s aping of melodic punk tropes is hardly subtle. Fortunately, that’s a style where if a band can pull it off well, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. This is on display on this recently mastered set of songs recorded in 2013. “Let It Go” and Eyes Full of Smoke” are driven by steady drumming and catchy hooks, which are the backbone of most punk house basement sing-alongs.
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 email (Robert.a.moore1982@gmail.com).