Myspace: The Explicits
The Explicits are a hardcore band. Usually, that means the same old thing which is both good and bad. In this case, it means some of the same with a few different angles.
The Jacksonville, FL based trio consists of Renee (vocals/guitar), Jeff (bass/backing vocals) and Jarrod (drums), all 19 and all currently enrolled at the University of North Florida. Listening to the songs they have on their page, it seems like their influences might be fellow Floridians Hot Water Music, a touch of Rancid and a healthy dose of the Exploited and GBH. According to them, influences range from Slipknot to Garbage to Avenged Sevenfold, but I have a hard time hearing it. However, a second listen does have hints of 90s alt rock under the surface, but it's far more subtle than the straightup hardcore element.
All four songs on their page come from their 2007 demo recordings. "Indestructible" kicks off with the unbridled energy that is essential to hardcore. Nothing about the song shows any hint of restraint. It's all breakneck rhythms and power chords, but well-done and passionate. Since it's the first song on there, I had to check again to verify that Renee is the singer, because she has the best growl I've ever heard from a female vocalist. I must not have been the first to wonder, because they explicitly state, "And to answer the most popular question...yes, that's Renee singing...she has a metaphorical dick, but a real vagina." It is near impossible to tell she's a woman by her voice, but she's definitely got a fine voice for the music.
"Idiopath" is a bit slower, but every bit as raw. Renee's vocals keep it hard, but the song as a whole is certainly lighter. The verse seems to get a bit of groove going, but the chorus kills it with a bit too much bluster. The lyrics, though short, are interesting.
Maybe it's just the power of suggestion, but "No Remorse" reminds me a bit of early Motorhead. The guitar riff in the intro touches on Fast Eddie Clark's playing. The drumming is pretty solid, but I could do without the brief drum solo. This song has potential and might need just a little more work to make it more cohesive.
"Static" walks a strange line between GBH and Rancid. As I've said before, I'm not a big Rancid fan, but it works pretty well on this song, adding an edgy hook to the more abrasive hardcore sound.
The Explicits are remarkably good for being together only about nine months. They're all pretty competent musicians for their age and as a drummer, Jarrod is particularly well-suited for the road the band is taking. If they can draw (but not force) a few of their personal influences in more prominently, they could become an exceptional band. As it stands, they're a very good young hardcore band that has the potential to a find a sound that's fully their own.
The Jacksonville, FL based trio consists of Renee (vocals/guitar), Jeff (bass/backing vocals) and Jarrod (drums), all 19 and all currently enrolled at the University of North Florida. Listening to the songs they have on their page, it seems like their influences might be fellow Floridians Hot Water Music, a touch of Rancid and a healthy dose of the Exploited and GBH. According to them, influences range from Slipknot to Garbage to Avenged Sevenfold, but I have a hard time hearing it. However, a second listen does have hints of 90s alt rock under the surface, but it's far more subtle than the straightup hardcore element.
All four songs on their page come from their 2007 demo recordings. "Indestructible" kicks off with the unbridled energy that is essential to hardcore. Nothing about the song shows any hint of restraint. It's all breakneck rhythms and power chords, but well-done and passionate. Since it's the first song on there, I had to check again to verify that Renee is the singer, because she has the best growl I've ever heard from a female vocalist. I must not have been the first to wonder, because they explicitly state, "And to answer the most popular question...yes, that's Renee singing...she has a metaphorical dick, but a real vagina." It is near impossible to tell she's a woman by her voice, but she's definitely got a fine voice for the music.
"Idiopath" is a bit slower, but every bit as raw. Renee's vocals keep it hard, but the song as a whole is certainly lighter. The verse seems to get a bit of groove going, but the chorus kills it with a bit too much bluster. The lyrics, though short, are interesting.
Maybe it's just the power of suggestion, but "No Remorse" reminds me a bit of early Motorhead. The guitar riff in the intro touches on Fast Eddie Clark's playing. The drumming is pretty solid, but I could do without the brief drum solo. This song has potential and might need just a little more work to make it more cohesive.
"Static" walks a strange line between GBH and Rancid. As I've said before, I'm not a big Rancid fan, but it works pretty well on this song, adding an edgy hook to the more abrasive hardcore sound.
The Explicits are remarkably good for being together only about nine months. They're all pretty competent musicians for their age and as a drummer, Jarrod is particularly well-suited for the road the band is taking. If they can draw (but not force) a few of their personal influences in more prominently, they could become an exceptional band. As it stands, they're a very good young hardcore band that has the potential to a find a sound that's fully their own.
posted by bob_vinyl at 7:49 PM
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