Mike and The Nerve Energetic Melodic Punk Single, “Fool’s Gold, and False Idols” has Struck a Nerve!
So let me say first, that I’m sorry that I used a pun in the review title; I tried not to, but then I started humming Bad Religion’s “Struck a Nerve”, and while this song sounds nothing like that, it does carry that melodic punk sound with catchy vocals, so I had to use the pun.
Hailing from Gainesville, FL, I’ve seen them a couple of times, and I’ve always enjoyed it (usually at Florida Underground Fest or Fest)—in fact ,they are playing Fest this year, so I suggest you see them if you’re going.
Seeing as how they are from Gainesville, it’s almost inevitable that they’d get a comparison to Hot Water Music (Definitely not Less than Jake), but I’d probably make a deeper comparison to my old Gville favorite—The Grabass Charlestons.
The new single, “Fool’s Gold, and False Idols” has lots of high moments. The opening riff and vocal call and response would make old school rockers like George Thorogood proud, and then it kicks into the chorus which is filled with dynamics: quick build up into counting (I love counting), blazing guitar leads, quick pauses, and even a bass guitar fill!
Close to the 2 minute mark we get a bridge with a chanted vocal pattern, a steadily building drum beat, some slick guitar noodling that all culminates into a guttural and yet somehow melodic scream. A similar scream happens throughout the song during guitar leads, but it’s more buried in the mix, so it’s more of an accent then this in your face scream.
The ending just drops down with the final counting and finishes with a gentle strum that is not only unexpected, but I somehow feel like they smile each time the do it, because it just comes across as something they thought would be a funny way to end the song.
Listen to their song here:
Watch their animate lyric video:
Also on their Spotify or on my punk playlist filled with bangers
Check out their socials too: IG, Bandcamp, Twitter, Website and FB
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