Last Halloween we were able to satisfy not only our sweet tooth, but also our need for a brilliantly written and recorded surf pop gem of a record. This thirst was quenched in the form of S/T (Self TItled) by local dudes The Frights. Here is what we have to say about their debut full length record – available now.
The first time that I heard The Frights was coincidentally the same night I ever saw them perform live. They happened to be playing at The Office in North Park for a Halloween party thrown by our good friends over at SoundDiego. The same evening in fact, the band released their debut S/T full length.
The Office was bursting at the seams with all sorts of wacky characters including multiple jellyfish, half naked girls in various garb and Eazy-E himself with his pet goat. Even amongst this eye-catching group of misfits, nothing could distract a party-ready crowd from what The Frights would bring to the bash.
The Frights are a three-piece surf punk band made up of Mikey Carnevale, Richard Dotson and Adam Lomnitzer. Together, these three young gentlemen present an explosive live show that could blast even the strongest of roofs off a joint. Even San Diego veterans and Halloween party headliners, The Donkeys, made mention of their undeniable strength on stage.
Their debut full length S/T is a proper extension to everything I mentioned above. A great mix of surf, pop and punk elements creating an absolute fireball of pop energy. Produced by the ultimately talented Tommy Garcia (Mrs. Magician) who obviously understands a thing or two about this style of rock n roll. Coming through with producer honors on not only The Frights S/T, but also Buddy Banter record Paradise Thrillz, both of which found themselves on some Best of 2013 lists.
The Frights S/T kicks off with the danceable jam “C&C”. Which right from the start will infiltrate your brain with its whimsical ooh-oohs and toe tap inducing beat. This song starts the record off with a frantically fun force that stretches throughout the entire release. Along the way, the boys make a stop in the ‘70s era with track “Cold” which is dripping with vintage “coolness”. A pure party anthem littered with chant-along vocal parts and fist pumping beats. S/T finishes with a blast of style in the form of track “Submarines”, a punk jam that will have you dancing and singing the chorus for days on end.
The Frights landed themselves in a fantastic groove, no pun intended, and have hit their stride early with this debut full length. A groove some bands twice their age find it difficult to nail. If you are anything like me and many others, S/T by The Frights has left you on a beach blanket somewhere dreaming of that sophomore record, and what may come next from these talented young lads.
Special Thanks to The Frights. Do not miss their debut full length S/T available now. Staircase photograph by Rhyan Santos from Mu$ty Boyz. Live photograph by unknown photographer. Both pictures used with permission by The Frights.