LoveHateHero

Some things in my past, I won’t even bother trying to conceal at this point. For example, dig around enough on the various social networking sites and it’s no secret that I went through the cliché L.A. scenester kid phase like everyone else who was into punk rock five years ago. Then I discovered grown-up music where the front men sounded like they had completed their pubescence and didn’t need facial piercings to prove it. But at the same time, I am always a sucker for clap-along drum beats, big-and-epic guitar shredding and infectious sing-along choruses, all of which these local L.A. boys do deliver on. Though looking at them reminds me very un-fondly of my unfortunate days hanging out at Club Moscow before I was old enough to drink, I do have to give credit where it’s due. The fivesome have matured quite a bit in the two years leading up to the release of this year’s America Underwater to have a more distinctive sound and be a promising band in a sometimes unpromising pack. Given that, I think I can forego propriety and rock like it’s 2005 again, for one night at least. - Brien Overly