The Boys After

This next NBSR appeals to a version of me from a few years back when I was mildly into pop punk bands.  From the moment I heard the new single “Chemistry” from the California band, The Boys After, that’s when I knew this would get my head bopping a bit.  The ensemble is composed of; Chris Begley on guitar and vocals, Brian Kirkbride on guitar, Aaron Seminoff on Drums, Robbie Gardunio on vocals, and Tyler Way on bass.

After listening to The Boys After’s first album “You’ll Be Missing Home” and then listening to their new single, it almost sounds as though there’s been a transitional phase that’s taken place.  “You’ll Be Missing Home” sounds and focuses heavier on drums and guitar, with almost the “esk” of an indie pop punk; whereas “Chemistry” sounds as though they’ve pulled guitars and drums back a bit but added in an electronic component, with almost more of a “studio” pop punk-esk feel to it.

Now because to me they sound as though they do have two different possible sounds, I’m just going to focus on the new single because that’s probably more of the direction they are headed.  This doesn’t mean in any way that you shouldn’t go and take a listen for yourself to “You’ll Be Missing Home.”  It just means that why should I tell you something if the new albums going to sound nothing like the old one.  Don’t want to be to misleading and such, but anyways.

With the double vocal harmony, a bit of wavy keyboard electronica with muted guitar, the new sounds as to how a pop punk band should sound (or at least that’s how I feel).  All together the sound builds as the band coming in a few instruments at a time helping to make full of the suspense without ever over taking dominance from one another.  The song sounds whole and continues to build up until the verse where it’s basically a short climax for a few bars, and then sets itself up for the build again.  The single sounds full but not overly crowded, as dynamics are created with the drop out and add in of instruments which really help the song to flow without any issues.  The song has lots of energy, with a great form of buildup then release and repeat. 

The Boys After seem to possess every aspect in their music that one would expect when listening to an American pop punk band.  Its big, it’s catchy, the vocals fit the style, and all together make for a really great single (at first I had to check that this wasn’t ATL or any of those other bands which are quite popular).  In the world of pop punk, I think “Chemistry” sounds as though it’s going to be quite a success with the right publicity. 

Not too sure which direction The Boys After are headed for the future, but I’m sure no matter which way it is, they’ll continue to keep writing head bopping, catchy tunes.  And if I’m 100% wrong and the rest of everything they ever do sounds like their first album, well that just means I’ll have to redo this.

To me they sound like a band you’d see at a venue in your town, and afterwards end up walking away with a t-shirt and cd, and then posting it all on twitter and facebook about how much these guys rocked.   

Their new EP is called "The Break-Up" which seems like it may be released quite soon, and you can find them at "http://www.facebook.com/TheBoysAfter" and on twitter @theboysafter.

Anyways, I’d like to thank The Boys After and can’t wait to see which direction their new album takes them.  Best of luck.