On’s Newest Single “Make Me” Opens with a Killer Riff and Keeps on Killing!
I have to say my first thought was that On should tour with Off! (The hardcore punk band fronted by Keith Morris of the Circle Jerks).
Right from the outset when I hit play, I was feeling this song. The opening riff is one of those classic guitar riffs that every band hopes to come up with. The kind that leaves a legacy and will be taught in guitar 101 classes for generations to come. Having it slowly increase in volume until the drums come in adds to the intensity. Not only do I love the snare sound, but I love the guitar “screech” that occurs with each snare hit early in the song. Great accent and really interesting to hear.
When the chorus kicks in with fuzzy guitar and a great vocal hook, I’m taken back to my teens in the early 90’s, and I can see this band playing the HFistival in MD which featured some of the most popular grunge, alternative, punk, ska and metal acts of the time. Even moreso, I could see them blasting this shit at the early Lollapalooza right next to Babes in Toyland, Rage Against the Machine, Cypress Hill, Jane’s Addiction and more.
Their promo cites PJ Harvey, Throwing Muses, Breeders and more as their influences, and you can hear it, but On’s vocalist and the rest of the band is able to harken back to these bands while also providing their own refreshing and original take that prevents them from sounding like any of them. On a side note, DCxPC Live’s 4th release: Year of the Fist Live at The Ivy Room had a rockin’ PJ Harvey cover, so I could easily see these two bands sharing a stage or touring together.
The swirling guitar with that perfectly placed drum roll to intro it at the end brings the song to a powerful close.
The lyrics are well written and relatable in that I'm sure each of us had met someone that lite a spark in us and then when whatever initial energy was there has dissipated, we can’t seem to get into the relationship anymore, and wind up faking it. Whether that’s emotionally or physically, that’s up to each listener to decide and interpret.
They just completed a whole slew of tour dates on the west coast. If they come to the Hudson Valley or NYC, I’ll be at the show for sure.
Order the single here
Check them out on their Spotify too and our Indie/Grunge/Garage Band Playlist
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