Empty Vessels – “Restraining Order”
Back in early July, TNB found itself once again at the Midway Cafe in beautiful Jamaica Plain (really?) to attend the 2nd installment of Crazy Jay Genoa’s punk & hardcore new bloods showcase. And, Wow!, what a great show it was (you can check out our zany texting review of the show here).
One of the bands performing that afternoon was an innovative group from New London/Hartford CT called “Empty Vessels”. Self-described as a punkish hardcore outfit, I’d say they’re closer to a cross between death metal and surf punk. Sort of like Cannibal Corpse meets The Cramps.
Upon closer inspection you discover death vocals combined with a twangy, hollow-body, almost rockabilly guitar vibe wrapped around a funky groovin’ bass and drum backdrop. So what’s it all mean? Well, for “Empty Vessels” it means a wicked cool sound and for us, it means, fun, fun, fun …
“Empty Vessels” is a four piece band featuring Matt on vocals, Allison on guitar, Dean on bass and Justin on drums. Furtunately for us they have a cool 3 song EP called “Restraining Order”, which TNB managed to knab just before the Midway threw us out.
The first track is my favorite on the EP and called “Saucer Country”. If you;re like me, you’ll have a hard time standing still while listening to it. Be forewarned though, towards the end I lost all bodily control and had to get a change on clothes. Check it out.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01 – Saucer Country.mp3|titles=Saucer Country]The next track is called “Court Of Owls”, which is a pretty cool visual when you think about it. Just imagine it. Everytime you go to court, owls are presiding over the case, whooting away at each other. Hmm…, have a listen.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/02 – Court Of Owls.mp3|titles=Court Of Owls]And finally, the last tune on the EP is interestingly enough about Michael Cera, the Canadian born actor from Arested Development, and is called,”Everything’s About Machael Cera”. I could be wrong, but I think Cera’s most noteworthy role came in a Pillsbury commercial where he poked the Pillsbury Doughboy.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/03 – Everythings About Michael Cera.mp3|titles=Everything’s About Michael Cera]
Need I say more? Very cool stuff from “Empty Vessels”. Can’t wait to check them out again.
Later,
(Andy Bang)
