First off, much respect to Cavity Search for doing this OG and sending me the album to review on vinyl. This is the way! Warm Up, Tiger (out April 17 via Cavity Search) is interestingly labeled “Side Stunt” and “Side Drummer.” I’ll follow their lead and break up the review that way.
Stunt Drummer are a post-hardcore/noise rock band made up of longtime Portland music scene vets. You can feel the Pacific Northwest on this one. It is overcast and mossy, carrying choice regional influences like Unwound and Lync. Side Stunt kicks off with buzzing guitars and a circular bass growl; it’s an instantly recognizable timbre guaranteed to transport listeners to a very specific era of basement shows. Cigarettes, black tees, and endless cans of Rainier abound.
The dual vocalists here really understand the assignment, alternating between disdain-drenched bellows and a more nihilistic yelp akin to the late, great Rick Froberg (of Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes fame). It’s an effective pairing that gives the album and band its soul.
Side Drummer keeps things going with more of the same, and the same is good. Ultimately, this is the sort of unpretentious, post-whatever guitar music that I find myself reaching for more and more in these times. It’s moody; it’s visceral, and it provides much-needed catharsis. This is a formula that has long fueled the Northwestern indie rock engine, and I’m very thankful there is someone here to pick up the torch.
