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“Sad and French“ definitely became “Make War“. It’s a much better name anyway. A name that, in the time of terrorism and fear everywhere, is certainly much more marketable. Perhaps they can even win over a few IS defectors as fans. Makes sense for tours through Syria and Iraq.
Before the band from Brooklyn in NYC plays this tour, it will probably take a while. Until then, you can listen to their self-titled album, which was released on November 6, 2015. By the way, just in time for their Europe tour that the band played at the end of 2015. Still in small underground clubs. Listening to the album, it seems that won’t last long, and larger clubs, halls, and stages will soon welcome the band.
There are only nine songs, which reminds me of the time when a punk record had less than 30 minutes of playtime, but cost just as much as a packed CD. Now, a long playtime doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good music.
With MAKE WAR, it’s definitely about short playtime and quality.
Even on the first listen, the songs smoothly get into your ear. Stylistically, they are positioned in alternative punk, but with clear influences from bands like NoFx or younger bands like Toy Guitar. The unmistakable folk elements remind me of old stuff from Flogging Molly. The singer’s voice often sounds like a smoky whiskey bar, and the sound has definitely seen a garage.
Despite this genre mixture, the album comes across very harmoniously. The songs fit together, and it doesn’t seem like the band tried to be or do anything special here. MAKE WAR does what they feel like. It comes across very honestly, very earthy...very well.
Even though the band name suggests a style in the direction of Krum Bums or The Casualties, and one might be disappointed at first, in the second moment, it’s positively noted that an obvious cliché in the left scene is not fulfilled here. The band name plays with expectations, and you don’t always have to fulfill everything. The band has recognized this well.
The three guys can make good music.
May the band name not prove to be...ha, ha...a killer in these times.
