Columbus, Ohio-based classic-rock-meets-roots-punk outfit Two Cow Garage will release their fourth full-length, "Speaking In Cursive", on Suburban Home Records.
Comprised of Micah Schnabel (vocals, guitar), Shane Sweeney (bass, vocals), Chris Flint (guitar), Andy Schell (keyboards), and Cody Smith (drums), the outfit, which plays more than 200 shows a year (and has for the past six years), has made their darkest, yet most rewarding record to date, writing songs that deal with the problems and dilemmas of growing up, coming to terms with ones dreams versus reality, as well as songs about substance abuse, the wasting of youth (and the effects on your friends when youth is stolen too soon), navigating the troubled waters of relationships, and, of course, crushes-turned-heartbreak.
With "Speaking in Cursive", Two Cow Garage has brought on a permanent keyboard player with Andy Schell, helping the band expand on their guitar-bass-drum assault, adding depth and richer melodies to the heartbreak-on-the-sleeve lyrical bite and rock attack that Two Cow Garage is already known for.
From the opener of "Your Humble Narrator", starting out with Schnabel's tattered, smoke-filled voice, the song builds, from a toned-down guitar-bass-drum attack that turns into something melodic and poignant with the addition of keys, before quickly busting into the chorus and ripping through you with pure adrenaline.
Through the all-out classic-rock-gone-punk vigor of "Brass Ring", ringing with the line, "don't ever be second stage, apathetic melancholy is all the rage, there was never any brass ring to be found", as the band comes to grips with the fact they do music for the love of it, not for the "Brass Ring" or any other reason.
To "Bastards and Bridesmaids", a song that questions youth and wasted youth with plenty of guitar noise buzzing as the rhythm section pounds it out, before quickly sliding into an unforgettable hook, and "Swingset Assassin", a haunting acoustic number that is anything but soft and pretty: abrasive and cutting, Two Cow Garage can rock out and bring you to tears with nothing more but voices and an acoustic guitar:
The album's "Sadie Mae" really shows off the beauty of keys in a melancholy rock song, reeling you in while the lyrics and the story line bring you to your knees in tears as you wrap yourself up in the story of "Sadie Mae", and when the line "If the love doesn't kill me, the loneliness will. And if these drugs don't thrill me, then nothing else will".
Ending with "Swallowed By the Sea", one of two songs bassist Sweeney sings lead on, the band gets more roots-y and ends with a heart-wrenching, alt. country song to put others to shame.
Yes, Two Cow Garage have done it again, delivering a record that surpassed their last ("III"), while moving forward, expanding their trademark sound, but still making it sound wholly Two Cow Garage.
Two Cow Garage website
Raised in a musical family, Philadelphia based musician Dave Hause has been involved with music as far back as he can remember. Beginning his musical career as a roadie and later defining his own music stylings in various punk bands he finally started The Loved Ones. They have released two full length records and several EPs. While continuing to tour extensively with The Loved Ones in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan, Hause continues to work on his own solo music. Hause wrapped up recording and mixing his first solo full length with Pete Steinkopf and has already toured headlining shows of his own as well a stint on the 09 Revival Tour, and supporting such diverse artists as AFI, The Bouncing Souls, Chuck Ragan, Frank Turner, Tim Barry, Lucero and Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem). He plans to tour the world and to release this record in 2010.
Dave Hause on Facebook
Black Panther Party is a new supergroup of Atlanta douchebags whose goals are to: rock the party, bring down the house, bust a move, bust a nut, on the third day rise again, party til you puke, and fight the power. We play real music with real instruments played by real people. If you want to be a part of the party bring beer and come dance with us. Love to all.
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$6 in adv, $8 DOS, 21+
Doors @ 9 pm
Advance tickets available @ Ticket Alternative, Criminal Records,
Decatur CD, Fantasyland Records and the following CD Warehouse locations: Buford, Duluth, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville and Roswell.
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