Way Out West: Horse Movies
Posted: by The Editor
(Photo Credit: Corbin Corbin)
We all know that by know pop punk has become such a caricature of itself that it’s hard to take anything slapped with that label seriously. Additionally, “grunge” is an overdone trope, seemingly just repeating its own self from 30 years ago. Someway, somehow, Portland, OR band Horse Movies bypasses these cliches and makes genuinely enjoyable and fresh “grungy-pop-punk”. Vocalist and drummer Lucas Britton’s casual yet collected voice pairs rather well with the fuzzy overlay, and creates a unique vocal style not often seen amongst their genre peers. Bassist Sarah Hall keeps the underlying pase up, acting as the groovy glue holding the three piece ensemble together, and adding their signature irresistible dancey touch. Vocalist and Guitarist Chris Robertson sets the band apart, never sticking to one specific style for too long in a single song, keeping you on your toes. At times mathy, at times fuzzy, at times classic good ‘ol rock and roll, and at times just catchy as hell. There are riffs in tracks “Charles Mansion” and “Django Goes to Hollywood” that I’ve had stuck in my head since this past summer. In fact it was one of those very riffs that stopped me in my tracks, shook me around, inspired an insatiable need to dance, and convinced me that this band would soon be doing way more than playing the not even half full basement I first saw them in. I remember looking around that basement at what I later learned was their first show, and wondering why the hell more people weren’t there, and how the hell I hadn’t heard of them yet.
Their long awaited and highly anticipated debut EP Switch Flipper finally came out this month, and it did not disappoint. Six tracks of non-stop energy, the EP will hold your attention for every second. One of my favorite things about this band isn’t even musical at all- it’s social. They’ve crossed the Portland genre-clique barriers, and bridged audiences not always seen at shows together. A true attestment to their universal appeal, this band fits more than just one bill around town. Horse Movies fills a void in the Portland DIY music community.
Find them on:
Facebook
Catch them on the remaining dates of their current west coast tour!
1/12 Oakland https://www.facebook.com/
1/13 San Francisco https://www.facebook.com/
1/14 Santa Cruz https://www.facebook.com/
1/15 San Francisco https://www.facebook.com/
1/16 Santa Barbara https://www.facebook.com/
1/17 San Luis Obispo https://www.facebook.com/
1/18 San Diego https://www.facebook.com/
1/19 Tijuana, Mexico
-Delaney|@loser513
