The first time we met Tim Browne from Colorado gruff punkers Elway he was playing acoustic ’90s covers in a Fest hotel room. We’re talking his heartwarming renditions of songs by Sugar Ray, Limp Bizkit, 311… you know, the good stuff! We were kind of endeared by him ever since, have to admit.
So when we heard that Elway were prepping the release of a new album on Red Scare Industries (Red Scares’ Toby Jeg promised Browne was a good Blindfold Test candidate because he “would be fun because he’s funny and fairly learned in music,” to which we say, “Amen to that, brother.”), and that Browne was a bit of smart-ass in his own right, we decided to get a blindfold on him and give him a go at some new releases. The results were quite tickling. Take it away, Mr. Browne…
SONG #1
Browne: This song sounds like San Francisco to me. It’s giving me a real One Man Army/Swingin’ Utters vibe. I like the backup vocals in the chorus. The more I listen to it, this guy sounds like Vic from the Slackers to me. Neat guitar tone, too. I could get real high and dance around like the sassiest go-go dancer to this band if I saw them live.
The reveal: Rocket from the Crypt and Sonny Vincent - “Vintage Piss” from Vintage Piss (Swami Records)
Browne: I know that Rocket from the Crypt is one of those bands that I’m totally supposed to know all about and respect, for every denim-clad rocker at the local dive bar says so. Maybe now I’ll check them out further than The Flatliners’ cover of “Straight American Slave.”
SONG #2
Browne: This dude sounds mad as hell about how much of a dick he is. I can dig it. In general, I tend to be pretty adverse to this confessional hardcore stuff. I like Touche Amore alright, and this sounds like a more musclebound version of that. Can’t dig the double bass stuff. Other than that, this is a well-executed, sad-boy hardcore song.
The reveal: Defeater - “Unanswered” from Abandoned (Epitaph Records)
Browne: Heard of ’em. I’d go see them if they came through town with La Dispute or whatever other band they probably run in the same circles with.
SONG #3
Browne: I thought this was “San Dimas High School Football Rules” by The Ataris at first. Super cool, Dance Hall Crashers-esque harmonies. This woman has so much attitude in her voice; it sounds like she’d kick my ass, and I’m down. I wish I could hear this exact same song without the Motor Studios kinda production on it. This song makes me very nostalgic for my old Honest Don’s Records samplers.
The reveal: Bad Cop/Bad Cop - “Old Dogs” from Not Sorry (Fat Wreck Chords)
Browne: Neat. Makes me want to break out Short Music for Short People and get drunk on McCormick’s and Sprite in the Denny’s parking lot. Not a terrible way to feel.
SONG #4
Browne: Someone got a Big Muff pedal for Christmas! This song is a good example of the kind of fuzzed-out stoner rock that I would love to enjoy, but just can’t bring myself to. That’s not to say that the guitar work isn’t cool or the production isn’t pretty unique. I just found myself checking a couple of times how long there was left in the song. I don’t know… wrong drugs or something.
The reveal: Sweet Cobra - “Future Ghosts” from Earth (Magic Bullet Records)
Browne: There’s a bar in Fort Collins called Dungeons & Draughts that this record would find a happy home in.
SONG #5
Browne: 5. If this isn’t The Gaslight Anthem, then it’s a band that closely studied how they craft their songs. I like the laid back production. There isn’t a lot of attack in the rhythm section, and I’m totally okay with that. I’m getting wafts of Oberst too, which I dig. This band is clearly lyrically driven, and I wish I had the lyrics here with me so I could get a line on what’s being said. It has all the aesthetic of a song that I would love.
The reveal: Rocky Votolato - “White Knuckles” from Hospital Handshakes (No Sleep Records)
Browne: I saw this dude with Lucero once and thought he was pretty great, then I promptly forgot to ever follow up with checking him out. I guess the time has come.
SONG #6
Browne: An ’80s tech-y Satan intro, followed by drums that suggest that I’m about to get my pickup change on, followed by a downs-y goth pop song. Pretty interesting. It’s like if Iron Maiden and and Joy Division had a baby! I’m definitely seshing this jam at my next human sacrifice.
The reveal: Nathan Gray - “Wolves” from NTHN GRY (Good Fight Music)
Browne: This is the kind of thing that I’d never stumble upon on my own, but I’m glad I listened to it so I can say I knew about them before they do the soundtrack to the Anton LaVey biopic.
SONG #7
Browne: This is the brawny man himself, Chuck Ragan! Every time I hear a new song by him, I am taken aback at how expansive a pop songwriter he’s become. A lot of Hot Water Stuff was kinda jammy, stream of consciousness post-hardcore stuff, which I obviously adore, but it’s interesting to hear him writing such straightforward stuff. Another one I’d like to have the lyrics for so I could read along.
The reveal: Chuck Ragan - “Justice and Fair Shake” from Kindred Spirit (SideOneDummy Records)
Browne: The man has an unmistakable, husky push-broom of a voice. Good stuff.
SONG #8
Browne: Someone borrowed a Big Muff pedal from the guy in band #4! Look, I provisionally love Black Sabbath, but I get tired of this kind of stoner-metal riffing pretty quick. It just isn’t for me. Plus, this band sounds like Macy Gray is the lead singer, which leaves me regrettably flaccid. I feel sorta bad saying this stuff, but as George Washington said about the cherry tree…
The reveal: Weedeater - “Cain Enabler” from Goliathan (Season of Mist Records)
Browne: One time I drank weed in tea form out of a 12-ounce bottle thinking it was a single-serving kinda deal. As it turned out, it had 300 milligrams of THC in it and, as a result, ruined my experience in Reno in a big, terrifying way.
Elway‘s Better Whenever comes out late July on Red Scare Industries.
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