SUN DON'T SHINE has a new EP being dispatched by CORPSE PAINT RECORDS called "Coming Down", and my copy just showed up a few days ago. If you don't know who this band is, then may I suggest that you keep reading to find out? You'll stay? EXCEPTIONAL NEWS! Let's forget ahead then, shall we?
Sun Don't Shine started life as EYE AM, and is composed of Kenny Hickey, (Who you'll know from TYPE-O-NEGATIVE and SILVERTOMB), and he will be supplying vocals and guitars. Kirk Windstein of CROWBAR and the Stoner Metal supergroup known as DOWN will be doing the same. Then we have the one and only Johnny Kelly of Type-O-Negative, Silvertomb, PATRIARCHS IN BLACK, etc on Drums, and Todd Strange from Crowbar / Down laying down what James Hetfield once called “The four string mother fucker”.
These guys all have excellent resumés, right? With that fact firmly in mind, you are already aware that these musicians are going to deliver upon the promise that their careers imply. "Coming Down" has a total of four tracks, which is far too short in my opinion, but let's talk about each of them now.
1. “Coming Down” was the first and only track that I had heard before pre-ordering this black splatter on clear vinyl, limited to 100 copies. What I love about this one is that you can hear their other projects in it, which is solely due to the fact that these guys have a certain identity within their playing styles. There's a strong melody that flows throughout, and the vocal performances are outstanding as well. I was aware that Kenny could sing, but he exceeded my expectations with his performances across all four tracks. However, it's the guitar work that grabs me the most, with killer riffs and well written leads that are memorable and powerful. I also love the way the riffs and the vocals compliment each other. About 3 minutes in I picked up a PALLBEARER vibe, which is another band that I highly suggest to everyone with working ears.
2. “Dreams Always Die With The Sun” is an excellent track, full of melody and Kenny's incredible vocal approach, which adds an almost ethereal and atmospheric quality to the proceedings. There's a riff that leads into the chorus that is reminiscent of Type-O-Negative, but on subsequent listens I have found that there's a massive "Odd Fellows Rest"-era Crowbar sound to it as well. I'm just noticing it, but Kirk is putting in a great backing vocal in the chorus. I didn't catch that it was him at first, because I expected to hear his raspy, Crowbar voice, but he's sounding phenomenal right here nonetheless; the way that they trade off singing the song title is the icing on an already delicious musical cake.
3. “The Promise Song” kicks off with a bouncing and energetic riff that is super cool. When the vocals kick in, I started thinking that this song has a Chris Cornell and SOUNDGARDEN vibe. The track shifts and takes on a different feel, yet that Soundgarden sound persists and I'm totally here for it. The band is still able to keep their uniqueness, and I'm telling you what, this is one hell of a track. Again, the guitars and the lead breaks are perfectly executed and fit the overall tone very well.
4. “Cryptomnesia” is the last track, yet it is on par with the others in terms of song-writing, performances, and retaining their sound. Kenny and Kirk do some vocal back and forth that I found extremely enjoyable; I'm so impressed in how their voices compliment each other. The acoustic bit at the end reminded me of DAVID BOWIE, which was a huge, but really cool surprise. When the needle lifted at the end of this song, I knew that I'd be starting the record over several times. A fact that has carried on for several days at this point.
If you hadn't noticed, I haven't brought up the drums and bass guitar much, but don't let that fool you into thinking that they aren't worth mentioning. Johnny is one of the most solid drummers out there, and he adds fills and flourishes where they're needed, putting out a performance that is exactly what these songs need.
Lastly, we have the powerful and tasteful playing of Todd Strange. His bass tone is enormous yet not overpowering, and the notes that he chooses to play are interesting and support what birth the drums and the guitars are doing. There's so many spots where my bass player brain just melts and thinks about how fantastic what he's doing is.
In closing, none of these tracks are carbon copies of their other bands, with this, and all of these tracks having their own identity, creating a new brand so to speak. It's crazy to me that I'm having a hard time picking a favourite track, but if forced to do so, I would go with “Dreams Always Die With The Sun”, there's just something extra special about that one that really stuck with me.
So go to YouTube, or wherever you listen to music and stream the tracks. Or, and even better yet, lay some money down on the vinyl if you can, then kick back and let these stellar songs work their way into your subconscious.
10 Out Of Mother Fucking 10! Words: Tom Hanno.
Sun Don't Shine started life as EYE AM, and is composed of Kenny Hickey, (Who you'll know from TYPE-O-NEGATIVE and SILVERTOMB), and he will be supplying vocals and guitars. Kirk Windstein of CROWBAR and the Stoner Metal supergroup known as DOWN will be doing the same. Then we have the one and only Johnny Kelly of Type-O-Negative, Silvertomb, PATRIARCHS IN BLACK, etc on Drums, and Todd Strange from Crowbar / Down laying down what James Hetfield once called “The four string mother fucker”.
These guys all have excellent resumés, right? With that fact firmly in mind, you are already aware that these musicians are going to deliver upon the promise that their careers imply. "Coming Down" has a total of four tracks, which is far too short in my opinion, but let's talk about each of them now.
1. “Coming Down” was the first and only track that I had heard before pre-ordering this black splatter on clear vinyl, limited to 100 copies. What I love about this one is that you can hear their other projects in it, which is solely due to the fact that these guys have a certain identity within their playing styles. There's a strong melody that flows throughout, and the vocal performances are outstanding as well. I was aware that Kenny could sing, but he exceeded my expectations with his performances across all four tracks. However, it's the guitar work that grabs me the most, with killer riffs and well written leads that are memorable and powerful. I also love the way the riffs and the vocals compliment each other. About 3 minutes in I picked up a PALLBEARER vibe, which is another band that I highly suggest to everyone with working ears.
2. “Dreams Always Die With The Sun” is an excellent track, full of melody and Kenny's incredible vocal approach, which adds an almost ethereal and atmospheric quality to the proceedings. There's a riff that leads into the chorus that is reminiscent of Type-O-Negative, but on subsequent listens I have found that there's a massive "Odd Fellows Rest"-era Crowbar sound to it as well. I'm just noticing it, but Kirk is putting in a great backing vocal in the chorus. I didn't catch that it was him at first, because I expected to hear his raspy, Crowbar voice, but he's sounding phenomenal right here nonetheless; the way that they trade off singing the song title is the icing on an already delicious musical cake.
3. “The Promise Song” kicks off with a bouncing and energetic riff that is super cool. When the vocals kick in, I started thinking that this song has a Chris Cornell and SOUNDGARDEN vibe. The track shifts and takes on a different feel, yet that Soundgarden sound persists and I'm totally here for it. The band is still able to keep their uniqueness, and I'm telling you what, this is one hell of a track. Again, the guitars and the lead breaks are perfectly executed and fit the overall tone very well.
4. “Cryptomnesia” is the last track, yet it is on par with the others in terms of song-writing, performances, and retaining their sound. Kenny and Kirk do some vocal back and forth that I found extremely enjoyable; I'm so impressed in how their voices compliment each other. The acoustic bit at the end reminded me of DAVID BOWIE, which was a huge, but really cool surprise. When the needle lifted at the end of this song, I knew that I'd be starting the record over several times. A fact that has carried on for several days at this point.
If you hadn't noticed, I haven't brought up the drums and bass guitar much, but don't let that fool you into thinking that they aren't worth mentioning. Johnny is one of the most solid drummers out there, and he adds fills and flourishes where they're needed, putting out a performance that is exactly what these songs need.
Lastly, we have the powerful and tasteful playing of Todd Strange. His bass tone is enormous yet not overpowering, and the notes that he chooses to play are interesting and support what birth the drums and the guitars are doing. There's so many spots where my bass player brain just melts and thinks about how fantastic what he's doing is.
In closing, none of these tracks are carbon copies of their other bands, with this, and all of these tracks having their own identity, creating a new brand so to speak. It's crazy to me that I'm having a hard time picking a favourite track, but if forced to do so, I would go with “Dreams Always Die With The Sun”, there's just something extra special about that one that really stuck with me.
So go to YouTube, or wherever you listen to music and stream the tracks. Or, and even better yet, lay some money down on the vinyl if you can, then kick back and let these stellar songs work their way into your subconscious.
10 Out Of Mother Fucking 10! Words: Tom Hanno.
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