THURSDAY NOV 17, 2016
Kudzu Kids
Beat Drun Juel
Best known for their ripping low end and their front woman’s howl, Chicago rock trio Beat Drun Juel layer pop crooning over heavy amplifiers for a sound that's equal parts catchy, brutal, and raw. Chicago Reader praises the band’s first 7-inch for its "dark, haunting sound" and calls the band's live show "an even wilder, heavier monster, explosive and unhinged." Beat Drun Juel (Drun rhymes with run, Juel sounds like jewel) are singer-guitarist Donna Polydoros (Pasty Face), bassist Jesse Giallombardo (The Paver), and drummer Mat Haywood (Velocicopter).
Best known for their ripping low end and their front woman’s howl, Chicago rock trio Beat Drun Juel layer pop crooning over heavy amplifiers for a sound that's equal parts catchy, brutal, and raw. Chicago Reader praises the band’s first 7-inch for its "dark, haunting sound" and calls the band's live show "an even wilder, heavier monster, explosive and unhinged." Beat Drun Juel (Drun rhymes with run, Juel sounds like jewel) are singer-guitarist Donna Polydoros (Pasty Face), bassist Jesse Giallombardo (The Paver), and drummer Mat Haywood (Velocicopter).
Heavy Eyes
Despite recent lineup changes, Heavy Eyes still know how to throw together a razor sharp punk anthem. With the new track “Away,” the foursome call out abusive trust fund musicians while throwing down crunchy garage rock riffs.
Roderick Davis’ vocals are the polar opposite of the chaotic rhythm section. The disconcerting gentleness with which he sings about bros infecting the scene doesn’t lack urgency, but it doesn’t pack as much of a punch as the gang vocals from the group’s self-titled debut. Part of the change in aesthetic is due to Carter Sutherland’s mixing. The Sea Ghost singer adds a power pop sheen to the track which mellows the overall attack in favor of a more expansive sound.
Overall, “Away” is an energetic cut that boasts an uncomfortable but necessary message. Despite their experience, Heavy Eyes are still a young band, so expect them to learn how to deliver their next manifesto without quite as many buzzwords. Even if Davis’ vocals occasionally sound preachy, it’s refreshing to hear a group of garage punks speak to their principles and treat their music as more than a vehicle for a good time.
-Russell Rockwell / Immersive Atlanta
Despite recent lineup changes, Heavy Eyes still know how to throw together a razor sharp punk anthem. With the new track “Away,” the foursome call out abusive trust fund musicians while throwing down crunchy garage rock riffs.
Roderick Davis’ vocals are the polar opposite of the chaotic rhythm section. The disconcerting gentleness with which he sings about bros infecting the scene doesn’t lack urgency, but it doesn’t pack as much of a punch as the gang vocals from the group’s self-titled debut. Part of the change in aesthetic is due to Carter Sutherland’s mixing. The Sea Ghost singer adds a power pop sheen to the track which mellows the overall attack in favor of a more expansive sound.
Overall, “Away” is an energetic cut that boasts an uncomfortable but necessary message. Despite their experience, Heavy Eyes are still a young band, so expect them to learn how to deliver their next manifesto without quite as many buzzwords. Even if Davis’ vocals occasionally sound preachy, it’s refreshing to hear a group of garage punks speak to their principles and treat their music as more than a vehicle for a good time.
-Russell Rockwell / Immersive Atlanta