Premiere: WHAMMY by Lance Bangs
DIY heads will roll! Virginian luminaries, Lance Bangs, released WHAMMY today via Citrus City. This EP is the second from the Richmond-based three piece. “We had a lot of obstacles in the past couple of years that kept delaying the recording process,” Colin the guitarist shared.
“Our [former] drummer, Drew, moved down to Atlanta last year so we bought my brother Gavin in to replace him. Obviously this takes some time to adjust to. We record and mix all of our own music AND we all have different work/school schedules going on. Finding the time to get together and actually write and lay down tracks was sort of a challenge.”
WHAMMY realizes substantial lyrical growth and mature, yet lighthearted themes of angst, lust and adventure. Lance Bangs takes care to approach the other side of either bad-luck or poor decisions with beachy-instrumentation and punchy vocals.
“In these times that seem too bold, things seem to take control…
In this life we feel special, it's so satirical,”
-SPIKE, Lance Bangs
Understanding that this is not necessarily the Lance Bangs of yesteryear gives this EP even more salience- even more umph. In this second era of Lance Bangs, the songs are soft yet still break a fourth wall. Everything feels and sounds so delicately dramatic. Even the title, WHAMMY, is in all caps, like “BAM, HERE IT IS.”
WHAMMY opens with upbeat and melodic DEADMAN and ends with a 2017 oldie titled WASH (2K17 DEMO). These songs and everything in between are an easy listen. The EP is cohesive, fun and delivers serious FOMO for live music (production value is superb). Lance Bangs has effectively set the bar high and their creative peers should aim to uphold.
For those just getting hip, the self proclaimed “bedroom-rock” three-piece has paved a respected groove as a touring act. There is Colin Thibodeau on vox/guitar, Gavin Thibodeau on drums and Joel Alicea on bass. From house shows or basement practices in Richmond to shows in Miami, Washington D.C. and New York- the band is as DIY as it gets but successful as they aspire to be.
The trio, known many moons ago as Colin Thibodeauxx, go way back. Imagine high school jam sessions transitioning into a solid collaboration captured on physical release and eventually touring the U.S. Lance Bangs’ first EP, Lance Mountain was also released via Citrus City back in 2016 (with Drew as drummer).
Take in everything WHAMMY over on Citrus City’s Bandcamp. A word to the wise and ethical, the everpopular, artist-friendly platform will be hosting another ‘Bandcamp Fee Waiving Day’ in June.