My 25 Year Transmogrification Plan

Top 5 Demos of 2011

Every year, hundreds if not thousands of bands get together and record demos (my band being of them). The main point of this being to get their songs out there for the public to judge. Most of the time these songs aren’t considered finished product. This can be due to many reasons such as; the songs aren’t done being written, they aren’t recorded as well as the band would like, or the tracks aren’t cohesive enough to be a real album.

The demos on this list are from what I consider to be the best new bands. I guarantee that you will be hearing about some of these bands in 2012, if you haven’t already.

5.) Drug Church - Demo
End of a Year Self Defense Family are an extremely prolific band. Every year they churn out an insane amount of music. Enough to make you think that they’ll run out of ideas. Drug Church seems to exist because the members of EOAYSDF have too many ideas. Patrick Kindlon is yet again the vocalist for this band, and it’s obvious from the first line. Musically this is still a strange beast. They don’t fall into the modern style of Hardcore, instead they harken back to the 90’s where rhythm played a bigger part than today and Quicksand were king. Who knows if anything else will ever appear from this band, but I won’t complain if it does.

4.) Tiger Tail - Demo 2011
I stumbled across this band while blog-hopping one day, and the comparison to Emocore legends Rites of Spring caught my eye. When bands call themselves Emo, they usually mean third or fourth wave, and many forget the source of the music they love so much. Tiger Tail haven’t forgot, and they’re here to remind you. The demo starts off with a building instrumental track, that prepares you for what you are about to hear. When the vocals kick in for “Best Damn Summer”, you can’t help but to hear the Rites of Spring comparisons. But that would do a disservice to the rest of the influences that include Braid, Knapsack, and The Promise Ring. These guys are from Richmond, VA and I really hope that they continue to make music, because the world of Emo needs these guys more than ever.

3.) Crow Bait - Three Tickle Guys EP
Crow Bait are somewhat of a supergroup. Iron Chic, Jonesin’, Wax Phantom, and Sister Kisser all contribute to the big hairy pile that is Crow Bait. If you know anything about the bands I just mentioned then you might have an idea of how these guys sound, and you’d be right. Pop Punk with gruff vocals from years of PBR abuse. With the exception of Iron Chic, Crow Bait is better than all of those bands. The charm of these songs is from the maturity that only comes from years of playing music professionally. Hints of melancholy wash over every aspect of the vocals, melodies, and even the guitar chords. I’m really excited to hear what these guys plan on doing next. Who knows, maybe next year they’ll even surpass Iron Chic.

2.) Family Cat - Don’t Let This Be You
This demo was put online on Dec. 14th. That was only two weeks ago and I knew exactly where I was going to put it on this list the first time I listened to it. Family Cat are really really good. Do you remember the Tiger Tail I just wrote? Well guitarist Chris is in Family Cat as well. I’m starting to suspect there is something in the water up there. Where Tiger Tail were more influenced by first wave Emo, Family Cat is closer to the second and third wave. They cite Samiam and Knapsack as their inspiration, and they aren’t too far off. These songs are written so well, and they are a ton of fun. Get in on this band before they blow up.

1.) Old Flings - EP
The only demo that tops Family Cat’s entry is this EP by Asheville, NC band Old Flings. I have had the pleasure of seeing them play on numerous occasions, including their first show, and another show that I booked myself. Before you think I’m only playing favorites, you should listen to this. Heavily influenced by Samiam, Gin Blossoms, and early Revelation Records, they play incredibly catchy tunes that you’ll be humming in your head all day after listening to them. I’m proud to call Old Flings my friends, and I hope to continue to see them play shows. And I know they will be at the top of my lists next year after they release their full length.