Java.NOV.2015

DON’T PANIC
The Sleepy EP
PRO TEENS
PRO TEENS
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Suite 16
If you’ve wondered what Dylan Rowe from The
Heathers is up to these days, you are going to want
to check out Don’t Panic immediately. Together with
Jeffrey Robens (vocals, guitars & programming)
and Johannes Lar (bass), they have put together
an interesting fusion of electronica and heavy
rock that is completely engaging on this five-track
EP. I missed their first EP last year, but I’m glad
I’ve been able to catch up with their sophomore
offering. I’ve listened to it a few dozen times and
find it endlessly fascinating, as it walks a thin line
between EDM and hard rock without sacrificing
one for the other. All the while, Rowe’s vocals are
stunningly seductive at the center.
“Crush” is the opener and clearly the first single;
it’s also a damn fine introduction to their sound.
It definitely sets the tone for the entire record.
Following in its wake, “Palisades” is far more
complicated in its structure, and for that reason
fascinating—filled with dense layers that will
send your ears reeling. “Dark Matter” slows down
the tempo and is almost hypnotic in its delivery.
It’s a dreamy combination of guitars and keys that
crafts an atmospheric cocoon while you are lulled
by its beauty. In the end, it explodes in time to blow
your mind.
Within the context of the band, the strangeness of
“Sleeper” is perfectly appropriate as they approach a
prog rock sound with verve and style. Compositionally
speaking, it’s one of the EP’s finest moments, as it
builds into a terrific maelstrom across nearly five
minutes. The grand finale is “I am, Moon,” which
is a mini-masterpiece unto itself. It’s like a pocket
symphony, with different movements throughout,
summing up their sound in one last epic blast. A
thoroughly fascinating and unique release.
I have loved watching PRO TEENS become the wellcrafted
band that they are over nearly two years of
single releases. They have finally released their
eponymous debut album on Moone Records,
and have moved beyond their surf-pop roots,
crafting a densely atmospheric album, with a retro
sensibility. Filled with chiming guitars and a hell of
a lot of beauty, it still maintains a great indie-pop
aesthetic. This is clear right from the opener and first
single, “Control.”
There is a definite psychedelic bend found here, as
evidenced in numbers like “One of These Days,”
which becomes a swirling, mind-bending affair.
Lead man Andy Phipps has a hell of a crooner inside
as he explores more soulful numbers like “Gjeez,
Kjinny.” It’s difficult to tell if this song is authentic
and heartfelt or complete farce, but I guess that’s for
the listener to decide. They get to their surf sounds
with “This Cop Is God,” which is pretty comical
lyrically. “On Its Own” is a lo-fi link vignette of less
than a minute, while the muzak-laced “Mona” serves
as something of a centerpiece to the entire album,
slowly approaching disco.
On the other hand, “Lisa” is a rave-up rocker that’s
just fun, while “Abbie” finishes the trio of girl-named
songs and has some of the best guitar work, hitting
an almost Caribbean stride. The juxtaposition of
the brief, watery “I Wanna Die” and the epic-length
Calypso pop of “Don’t Wanna Die” is the most
fascinating pairing on the album, to be sure. It all
finishes with the retro-mod dance number “Randal
Can’t Handle,” which is one of my favorites in their
live set and a fantastic way to end their first record.
Sounds Around Town By Mitchell L. Hillman
Joel Marquard has been a local music legend for the
last decade since he started Dear and the Headlights
and many other bands after that. Sadly, Marquard
has relocated to Idaho for the time being, but not
without unloading a ton of music for his fans and
friends. His latest project is called Spiritual Warfare,
which is mostly him solo, making no less than four
records, all to be released on the local Moone
Records this fall. Each record is distinctly different in
style and genre, as well.
The first, Suite 16, is a top-notch lo-fi album that hints
at all of Marquard’s musical endeavors and interests.
For those who have followed Marquard’s musical
career, there is something for everyone. It almost
sounds like a collection of songs for his other bands.
Marquard describes it as “Damaged Doo-Wop,
Rhythm and Blues, and Lo-Fi Soul,” and that’s pretty
accurate, for this record and much of his previous
output. Still, songs like “You Know That I Do,” and
“My Day Off” would have fit nicely on a Samuel L
Cool J record. “Give Me a Reason” has the choir-like
feel of Through and Through Gospel Review, while
“Heat of the Night,” “Tossed and Turned” and “Go to
Her” would have been great Gospel Claws tracks.
The entire album is a testament to Marquard’s talent
and range, as both performer and songwriter. Gospel
Claws was easily one of my top-five local bands of all
time, and any extension of that just makes my ears
scream for joy. Suite 16 ends with the coyly titled
“One Down, Three to Go,” which is amusing since
three more records are set to follow. I simply can’t
wait to hear the rest.
For more on these events and other highlights of
the Phoenix music scene, check out Mitchell’s blog
at http://soundsaroundtown.net. For submissions
or suggestions contact him at mitchell@
soundsaroundtown.net
JAVA 33
MAGAZINE