New Blood

“New Blood” is our weekly feature spotlighting new bands from around the world! See below for info on how to submit. Now, check out some killer new shit…

Band name:
CHLOROFORM

Date & location formed:
Rick: We formed in Ottawa in April of 2012 but didn’t do anything and we were separated for a long time due to me moving to Mtl and then Mexico City for a while. We recently got back together in the past year and recorded a full length called “Beg To Rise Up” which was released by Runstate Tapes this past September. We’re looking to eventually get it released on vinyl.
Brendan: Yeah technically we’ve been playing music together since late 2012 or so, but only recently have been able to record something and start playing shows outside of Ottawa.  We were all too busy in those years with other projects, life etc. to really give the band much focus or direction.  Rick has lived in many different cities over the years and this band doesn’t exist without him.  Thankfully, since we’re all living in the same city again we’ve been able to make CHLOROFORM a fully functioning band!

Reason for forming:
Rick: Me and Scotty were jamming for a while we’ve been jamming together since we were just kids and had always wanted to do a 77 type punk band mixed with elements of NWOBHM but we couldn’t think of the right bass player or singer that matched that criteria. We wanted a really good bassist that could basically do leads over rhythm guitars. Then I moved into Kenthouse and I knew my roommate Brendan was a really good lead guitarist… so I hesitantly asked him one day while making breakfast if he’d be willing to do bass and his answer surprised me!! We started jamming that week and after a while of not finding a singer I just kind of started singing in a mic temporarily but it just ended up staying that way. I still think about finding a singer every now and then. I probably wouldn’t be opposed to making that happen if the right person came up!
Brendan: it just really clicked with all of us.  Me and Rick jammed together once while we were living together and realized we had a lot of chemistry as musicians together.  Him and Scotty had a project going and he asked me to join.  I’d never played bass before, but was willing to learn- unfortunately it was short lived, but it’s rare to find that chemistry with other musicians.  It was worthwhile for us to always keep in contact despite the physical distance, not just because we liked playing together, but also because we were all great friends that loved the same kinda music.  Honestly I just love playing music with these guys and I’m honoured to be a part of it.
Scott: Why not start a band!?  Rick and I were two eager dudes wanting to rip out some heavyish ’77 punk rock n’ roll, we had played in a previous band together and jammed all the time. I mostly had just played guitar but at this time I had been practicing playing drums and recently purchased a drum kit. After our first jam with Brenda, our bass woes had been answered.  Although Rick singing was only supposed to be temporary, He adds his own edge and gives it his all until his head is about to pop off. You can’t ask for more out of someone. I find a 3 piece can at times be easier to agree on things, and being able to travel pretty well in any vehicle. I definitely as well don’t oppose if the right person came up to sing for us.

What are your lyrics about?
Rick: The lyrics aren’t really about anything specific. Some songs like “Moonstruck Midnight” are about difficult anxiety attacks I witnessed somebody I knew was having…others are about getting harassed by cops, the death of a close friend of ours… other songs like “Blown Out Ink” have no explanation and are more abstract lyrics I guess you could say. I usually blabber sounds into the mic during practice as a way of finding the melody I want. Then I add words and match up sentences to the sounds. I’m really a guitarist primarily, then a lyricist.

How would you describe your sound?
Rick: We’ve talked about this many times and still have no fucking idea haha. You tell me.
Brendan: Three piece, Rock and roll punk! I’m not too sure of the specific sub-genre.  We’re not totally reinventing the wheel, but we try not to be too derivative of anything either.  We have tendencies to veer in a lot of different directions.  We just hope to make songs that are interesting enough to be worth listening to.
Scott: Oh boy, haha. Well I’ve been saying 3 amigos lost in the limbo of punk ala proto rock and roll hahaha.

What’s in the future for this band?
Rick: We’ve just finished recording 2 new songs for a lathe cut set for the near future. I’d like to do like a series of continuous Ep’s, maybe a split. It’s cheaper that way. I would also like to organize a tour in the U.S possibly for next summer.
Brendan: We have a single coming out shortly, followed by a 7″ ep.  We hope to get our tape we just released pressed on vinyl at some point and we really hope we can tour soon.
Scott: We’re always coming up with new stuff at rehearsals/jams. Actually we are recording a couple new ones this upcoming weekend for a lathe with Kevin Berger of NoFun101 productions. As well as working on a 7 inch. I would love to take our band out more on the road!  It has been on my mind for a while now. I could not think of a better bunch to go on the road with.

Links and contact info:
chloroform321@gmail.com
chloroforming.bandcamp.com

Band name:
ROBBERY

Date & location formed:
December 2014 in Oakland.

Reason for forming:
After moving back to Oakland from the East Coast I (Gina Marie) wanted to start a fun project where I could sing/scream and let loose! I’ve been playing drums in bands for almost 20 years and wanted to try something different. I reached out to Aleksander who I had met in NY while on tour with his old band Battleship. It all came together pretty quick as Oscar, Bean and Aleksander have been friends for years and played in bands together in the past.

What are your lyrics about?
80’s movies, depression, aliens and social media, dealing with death, tripping out on drugs, penis envy. You know typical stuff….

How would you describe your sound?
Energetic, repetitive, loud, fun, dancey, punk rock.

What’s in the future for this band?
Some fun shit! Recording in the next couple months, west coast tour this summer, and just hanging out!

Links and contact info:
handsupthisisrobbery@gmail.com
oaklandrobbery.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/handsupthisisrobbery

Band name:
SHOJO WINTER

Date & location formed:
We basically formed almost a year or two ago at a place called Back to the Grind in Riverside. The actual musical processes didn’t start until the first EP which was done in a week.

Reason for forming:
For fun mostly.

What are your lyrics about?
Clinging to things you shouldn’t.

How would you describe your sound?
Illusive

What’s in the future for this band?
Wider more expressive soundscapes. Shows, releases, touring and probably a lot of food.

Links and contact info:
shojowinter@gmail.com
shojowinter.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/shojowinter
Listen on Spotify
twitter.com/shojowinter
soundcloud.com/shojowinter
instagram.com/shojowinter

Do you have or know of an awesome new band*? It’s easy to submit to be in MRR’s New Blood feature — just email us the following info, and keep keeping’ it real…

1) Band name:
2) Date & location formed:
3) Reason for forming:
4) What are your lyrics about?
5) How would you describe your sound?
6) What’s in the future for this band?
7) Links and contact info:

Along with the answers please send a band photo at least 600px on the longest side (with photo credits), and a logo if you have one, to: mrrnewblood@gmail.com

*By “new band” we mean a band that formed within the past year or year and a half.