Silver Screams - Defective Machines 12" EP

Silver Screams - Defective Machines 12" EP

It is hard to believe that the Boston area band, Silver Screams, has been together for 5 years now.  Defective Machines, was released this month (May 13, 2017) and is their follow up to the 2014 CD EP, Creep Joint Scratch.  This 6 song DIY recording comes on a beautiful radioactive orange 12 inch vinyl that compliments the color on the cover art.  The artwork reflects the dark, moody, apocalyptic tones of the lyrics.

The band has upped the anti on their sound since their first release.  While they both have dark vocals, the first release was more up tempo post punk with splashes of The Church, The Stranglers, and UK Subs Flood of Lies era sprinkled in.  "Dead Air", the opening track on this beauty, punches you in the face with its driving bass and drums.  This continues through the remaining 2 tracks on the A-side.  It is over in about 8 minutes and you feel wore out from the pace.  It throws me back to the reunion show I saw of The Effigies at the Empty Bottle in Chicago in 2004.

Side 2 has more guitars than its flip side, but still has a nice back beat. The tempo decreases and the songs get a bit longer.  I hear touches of The Church, The Bomb, and the experimental B-side of the UK Subs Endangered Species LP.  Finishing off the record is a cover of Joy Division's "Disorder" from their 1979 Unknown Pleasures LP.

If you checkout their Bandcamp site, you can get an additional two songs on the EP download.  Silver Screams adds some punch to cover songs from the 1995 release "Freak Show" by The Freeze and the 1980 debut of "Crocodiles" by Echo & The Bunnymen.  Interestingly enough, the range of influences of the band covers the spectrum between these two songs.

When you mix the style of the music with the darkness of the lyrics, you get a new genre of punk rock - POWER GOTH!  I have enjoyed the growth of the sound of the band over the years.  I can't wait to get up to Boston to witness their power live.  Keep up the good work boys.  Looking forward to the next release.  Don't take so long to get it out this time.

To keep up with where the band will be playing live follow them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SilverScreamsBoston.  To buy their music, follow them on their Bandcamp page - https://silverscreams.bandcamp.com/music.

SONIC LOBOTOMY # 55 - SILVER SCREAMS (CREEP JOINT SCRATCH EP)

Silver Screams is a punk rock trio from the greater Boston area who named themselves after a lyric in a song by The Damned.  They have their first EP coming out in early May.  Check out the artwork below.  It was made by the legendary Chris Shary who has created some artwork for the Descendents over the years.  The members of Silver Screams have been around punk rock for over 20 years.  In fact, one member of the band drove Joey Ramone to the airport after completing an interview with him on his college radio show.

Silver Screams recorded session #55 for Sonic Lobotomy in late February.  Sonic Lobotomy is an internet TV show featuring primarily Boston area punk bands playing a live, in studio set.  The show also usually has an interview with the band.  TJ Welch, of the Welch Boys, created the show, and handles all aspects of the show on his own.

Here is TJ's description of the band and the performance.
Silver Screams are a trio that plays tight and original, post-punk rock. Their music has strong hooks , without losing it's sharp edge. These guys are veterans of some great bands. They collectively bring forth the talent and musicianship in their intense, thirty minute musical assault . After that, the band unwound in the man cave for an interview, Wayne's World style.... and we talked about all that goes into making their great music. This was indeed a fantastic night of local rock and roll from the Silver Screams. It was a pleasure to capture them on my show.

Here is the setlist from the band's performance on the show.

Infinite Mirror

Welcome to Utopia

Wasted Life (SLF cover)

Straight Jacket

Dead Air

Climbing Mt. Rumpke

Wash Away (TSOL cover)

Brown Bagger

The Evidence

For those of you who may have heard of a band named the UK Subs and enjoy their newest releases Universal and XXIV, you will love Silver Screams.  Be sure to check them out if you are in the Boston area.  Here are links to additional band websites.

https://www.facebook.com/SilverScreamsBoston

http://www.silverscreams.us/