“Negative Approach meets The Breeders” is the description offered by the members of Scowl of this their latest release the Psychic Dance Routine EP (Flatspot Records) – if that’s not a tagline that grabs your attention outright I don’t know what is and what help there is out there for you! Said EP is the follow-up to the 2021 How Flowers Grow debut full-length.
The band are comprised of Kat Moss (vocals), Malachi Greene (guitar), Bailey Lupo (bass), Cole Gilbert (drums), and Mikey Bifolco (guitar), and seeing as they only formed in 2019, are a relatively new prospect. During their short tenure they have toured with diverse acts such as fellow Hardcore/garage-punks Destroy Boys and nu-metal legends Limp Bizkit, who you may have heard of.
Another interesting fact to note is the liberal use of a floral motif in Scowl’s artwork and merchandise which flies in the face of Hardcore convention. Hardcore isn’t the most forgiving of scenes for those who don’t strictly confirm, so I’m all in favour of a band who decide to colour outside the lines. The cover art on this particular release for instance doesn’t immediately scream Hardcore, recalling more what you would associate with French Prog/Jazz-Rock oddballs Magma, the very notion of which I’m sure will horrify and outrage purists. Good.
‘Shot Down’ opens the album with raging Hardcore a la Black Flag (Nervous Breakdown period) what with the frantic Greg Ginn styled guitar-work and this is beautifully balanced with amazingly catchy nineties alt-rock in the vein of Helium, that dog and the aforementioned Breeders. This is a hell of a catchy opener and it’s not in the least bit surprising that a video was made for it. If there’s a track guaranteed to get you hooked onto Scowl, it’s this gem and I’ve already jammed it several times now.
‘Psychic Dance Routine’ by contrast is slower with moments that connect one to the cool swagger of the more ‘accessible’ period of Sonic Youth during their Goo and Dirty album cycle. Throw in a little Riot Grrrl attitude in the spirit of Sleater-Kinney and you have a pretty nifty and enjoyable nostalgic trip back through the ages.
‘Wired’ recalls the heavier Hardcore of late eighties straight-edge legends The Gorilla Biscuits and Judge were they to be fronted by Blaine Cook of The Accused, the influence of the latter’s screeching vocal style especially evident. Next up ‘Opening Night’ is a whole load of Lunachicks/L7 grungy scuzzy punk fun, some Nirvana anthemic tendencies, and enough attitude to last you till the next millennia.
If the likes of The Bobby Lees also float your boat (as they do mine) then this snotty little garage-punk number will have you sitting up and taking notice right off the bat. ‘Sold Out’ had me thinking of latter-day Gang Green and tracks such as ‘We’ll Give It To You’, the breakneck crossover vibes are particularly thrilling and help end the record on an adrenaline-fuelled high.
As someone who has listened to Hardcore for well over two decades (yes I’m in my early 40’s), I have to say I find it hard to be surprised by much the genre has to offer these days. However, as with Turnstile, Scowl have restored my faith by making an EP laden with diversity and creativity. It makes for such an enjoyable listening experience that if even jaded critics like myself are this impressed then there must be something special about what is being offered up here.
Buy the album here:
https://flatspotrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fsr69-psychic-dance-routine
9 / 10
REZA MILLS