Despite their relative youth, local punk upstarts Death Stuff already have years of musical experience, and it shines through their gritty debut. Although the record is partially defined by the inherent lo-fi nature of punk demos, there is a gripping quality to these tracks which balances the anything-goes nature of the five-track EP.
The trio is comprised of Trevor Vick (ex-Street Violence) on guitar, Lloyd Wingard (ex-Lucy Dreams) on bass and vocals, and Jacob Armando (Twin Studies) on drums. This is each member’s first foray into dark, noisy punk, but if you’re looking to build connections between this project and their past works, it’s Vick’s guitar riffs which invoke the dirty surf of his days in Street Violence.
“Life Stuff/Death Stuff” is the track with which the trio really separate themselves from the legions of noise punks. Like a claustrophobic echo chamber, this trash compactor of a song begins as a dissonant deconstruction of hardcore and, just as it is about to close in on the listener entirely, morphs into a first-wave punk strut that is both tough and catchy.
Channeling everything from Wire to Flipper on their debut, this is a complex and detailed record which masquerades as a sloppy, snarling punch to the face. Death Stuff will be in the studio later this month recording a full length with plans to release the LP in late 2016.
More Info
Bandcamp: deathstuff.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @deathstuffatl