Mr. Joshua Voland promised me a pizza if I reviewed his band on my site, so here we go…

I am kidding about the pizza of course.  I don’t take bribes, even if in the form of delicious pizza.

All jokes aside, Voland did  ask me to check out what his band recently dropped on Bandcamp and man, I am stoked I did.

Shibuya Crossing is the debut EP by Cleveland’s very own The Public.  Lasting just under 20 minutes, this release is impressive as hell.  Not sure why they named the EP after the busiest intersection in Japan, but I am sure stranger things have happened.

Featuring members from Ultra Ultra, Heart Attack Man, and Let’em Run, I already knew in advance that I would be into The Public.

“Liquor Store” was such a powerhouse of a song to start off the EP with.  This will win fans automatically with sing along qualities.  Damn shame it wrapped up so quickly.  I liked that track.

“The Breaks” reminded me of a certain little band from Scranton, PA that people might have heard about.  I loved the lyrics “I was just too set in my old ways.  Trying to pry my way out of your ribcage.”  I seriously could not get enough of this song.

“No Bother” had enough breakdowns and group vocals to make this my favorite cut on the release.  Maybe it was the fact that it reminded me of a Seahaven track for a moment or probably because it was just catchy as hell.  “The Dogs” might have been even catchier though.

As much as I hate to have a negative comment about any song I hear, there was a part in “Mexico” that just did not sit right with me and it was mostly due to a brief group vocal harmony that lasted not even a second.  Voland asked me to be honest on how I felt…

Fans of  the Lawrence Arms, Menzingers, The Tim Version, Banner Pilot, and even Cleveland sweethearts Worship This! need to check out The Public.

This band just kicks so much ass. I am really looking forward to hearing their full length debut which should be out in 2015.

Check it out and pay what you will on the band’s BandCamp page.