MUCH THE SAME is back.
It has been 13 years since the band from the USA released their last album “Survive.” In a way, it is the irony of fate that their last album was titled “Survive.” That’s exactly what singer and band leader Gunner McGrath did.
It wasn’t any drugs or self-discovery journeys that kept the band on ice for so long, but a severe cancer illness and a divorce. Almost dying from cancer and traumatized by the divorce, guitarist Dan gradually found himself again, continued to write songs, and when he felt better, these songs were brought to life.
Now the band is back. Alongside their new album “Everything is fine,” they are also going on a European tour. The tour will take the band to small pubs like “Franken” in Berlin and to large festivals like “Punkrock Holiday” in Slovenia. They are indeed and truly back.
The nine songs exude the energy that skate-punk has always had. They actually remind one of times when the writer was still young and handsome and NoFx and Co. were at their peak. It was a time when skate-punk was not just a genre but a way of life. Somewhat nostalgic when thinking about the wrinkles on the face and the creaky bones. And yet, through the nine songs, it is still there. The energy that this sound used to radiate and still does today. Musically, it is all very solid, powerful, and hits the heart and the legs. Lyrically, the last terrible years are processed, but always in major instead of minor. With positive energy, starting a new life. Enjoying life with new energy.
MUCH THE SAME has released a fundamentally solid album with “Everything is fine” that is absolutely fun and perfectly fits the summer. Skating in winter is nothing.
The tour dates can be found on the band’s Facebook page, and attending the show is highly recommended.
