Tag Archives: Chris Kessler

TERRA.

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Over a year ago I wrote about a band called Daydream Johnny, and from the ashes of that band a new one has risen. Terra are a three-piece (with an added member called Brayden for tours.) This band are pretty damn good and would put any Pitchfork hyped band to shame.

Terra are a solid Garage Rock kind of band with more weird and wonderful things thrown in. Their EP came out last month, and because I’m really useless at the moment- I’m going to write about it now.

The 4 track EP is probably about 10 minutes long. It consists of tunes to accompany a road trip (whether on your lonesome or with someone you can actually stand.) Their songs are like glorious punches to the face and belly. They smack you in the gut and cause this destructive urge to make you want to smash things, or the safer option- throw your body about. On record they sound perfect, and I reckon their live shows really prove what they can do and allow them to show off just how bloody great they are.

Terra have a comforting and dark sound. It’s in the vocals, the lyrics, the hypnotic guitars and brutal drums. It all comes together so well, and you can’t help but think you’ve just stumbled upon one of the best bands around. Like all great bands Terra make you want to find some like-minded people and make your own noise.

Later on this year Terra will be recording their debut full length record, and going by what they’ve created with their EP they will more than likely create nothing short of a strange masterpiece that you won’t be able to stop listening to.

For me, I think Forest Lawn is their best song on the EP. It’s the loudest and most ferocious on the EP. I love songs that are unapologetically brutal and would probably make others turn their noses up at. Who needs conventional and comfortable when you can have bands who actually something of worth to offer. This is the kind of music kids should be playing loud in their bedrooms wishing they could take over the world with their music. That’s a dream to cling to and pursue. Any other seems far too much like settling. Never settle and never assume you’re worth just a routine. Bands like Terra have something essentially Punk about them. They’ve got something, and I hope it sticks in their music because they’re a band we cannot lose or ignore. I have no idea if they’ll ever get to this side of the pond but they’ve just finished some shows in Canada, and hopefully made the right kind of noise.

You can listen to and buy the EP here: http://terramusic.bandcamp.com/ and it’s out now on Shake! Records.

Daydream Johnny.

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“Don’t wait for me, I’ll let you down.”

 

I think the older I get, the less attention I posses. I don’t know, maybe I find it hard to care for things that aren’t dear to me. That sounds arrogant, and I don’t mean it like that at all. I guess because I spent so long caring- I just sort of..stopped. Unless I’m just a massive dickhead, that could be it too. It’s tough to keep being good when it gets launched back in your face, but you carry on anyway. The alternative isn’t so pretty. That’s why music is my solid. The one true love of my life, maybe the only thing I know how to love and will ever love. You don’t get rejection, you don’t get told you are wrong. You get all you need to carry on, what more do you need? It depends on what kind of person you are I suppose. Why cling on when you can let go? This is why I love garage rock kinds of band the most. They have this vulnerability and hopelessness you don’t get anywhere else. You truly connect. I’ve found a fine garage rock kind of band. It made this Tuesday less dull and grim.

Daydream Johnny come from..well, I don’t know where they come from. It doesn’t matter at all. What matters is how awesome they are, and that they really are. Listening to their songs, you get this “Ahh well fuck it. It doesn’t matter much” feeling take over. When a band can make you realise nothing means much, you get this weird bout of courage. I don’t know how or why it happens; but it does. If I had the answers, I probably wouldn’t bother. The things we don’t know, well we will never know. So don#’t beat yourself up trying to find out. Silence is golden, and apples are good for you. Life lessons. I don’t know.

Daydream Johnny are good chums with TEENS, another band that I have so much love for. These bands- you really need them in your life. You’re Sitting Pretty is possibly my favourite track so far. I dig the lyrics a lot. I love the build up to the chorus. Sometimes you cannot explain why you really like a band, you just do. Some bands I can sort of get the words out, some bands I can’t. Your love for them takes over. I hope with all my heart Daydream Johnny get the recognition and respect they truly deserve.

They have essence of lo-fi 60s vibe to a punk stance- they merge everything I love about music into short songs that make you want to sing along in a dirty, dark bar. Sweating with strangers and whiskey being thrown about. To me, that’s my idea of a good time.

Daydream Johnny have a basement band vibe that I adore. I love bands that make you feel as if it is just you watching them rehearse. They’re captivating, ridiculously talented and play with passion. If I had the money, I’d go see them in the States or I’d fly them to the UK. As I can hardly afford to get the bus, I’ll just love them from a distance for now.

You can check out their sounds right here : http://ddjohnny.bandcamp.com/album/daydream-johnny

Play it loud, share it with your chums and let them become your favourite new band.