Power-pop, garage-punk rockers Low Culture and Needle//Pins have both been on my radar for a while now. When I heard that the two were putting together a split release, it just made complete sense.
Low Culture won me over hardcore when I was introduced to them while staying in Las Cruces. Featuring members of Shang-A-Lang and Marked Men, the foursome blends in the perfect amounts of rock and punk making for tunes that can easy fuel a good time by all.
British Columbia’s Needles//Pins are more of a power pop garage act that I have recent been getting into thanks to their latest release Shamebirds. This band is to me the saviors of old school punk pop. You know, the good stuff that did not get suffocated by talentless acts with more t-shirts for sale in a Hot Topic than quality songs.
Low Culture hammered out with “Reservations”, a fun, infectious garage rock track with plenty of drumming and distorted guitar. I loved the break downs at the end that eventually led the song into a climax of sorts only to drop more signing that sounded like a new song, but alas, it was still the same track.
“Don’t Tell Me” was equally as fun to listen to. The guitar solos were quick at times but also memorable on this track about a solitary man. This track was not nearly as scattered as the previous but just slayed in a good good way.
“Hateful” by Needles//Pins was gruff yet thoughtful to listen to in regards to a crashed relationship. I felt like some of the lyrics were plucked out of my past thoughts in regards to crap relationships. “And I hope you don’t think that I’m hateful, it don’t matter very much to me” were lyrics that stuck to me especially.
“Bored” followed and pretty much could either have continued talking about poor relationships or perhaps just being old in the scene. The more I listened to it, the less I thought it was about an actual relationship with someone and more so with some other form of attraction. Clearly I think weird. Deal.
It is no surprise that the two acts decided to release a split together. Both bands really compliment one another’s sound making for a great listen. Currently available on iTunes and also on Spotify, the split was put out by the amazing Dirtnap Records and the 7″ should be available very soon for purchase on their site.
If you like classic bands like the Ramones, The Ruts, and The Weirdos, do yourself a favor and get into both of these bands now. They are both too good to not know about.
