NYC based post-grunge, alt-rock band The Cringe is a hard-hitting quartet with a punk aesthetic, irresistible hooks and shimmering melodies. Their debut album Scratch the Surface was recorded at famed Electric Lady Studios and features the singles: Been Alone, Burn, and Empty Table.
Formed in New York City a little over a year ago, The Cringe came about as the result of four guys getting together to exorcise their rock and roll demons with a little help from memories of the artists they have listened to since they were kids. From Hüsker Dü to the Beatles, The Ramones to John Coltrane, and Television to Les Claypool, it is a wide variety of artists that can be found on the list of influences flaunted by The Cringe, and it shows. But this is not just another overly derivative project where youll find a hint of this here and a touch of that there, because The Cringe somehow manages to take a wide variety of influences and melt them into one unique musical product.
The bands debut album, Scratch the Surface, does not waste any time delivering the goods. Nor is it shy about showing off the bands impressive range of abilities. The opening track, Another Day, begins with a bit of spacey pyschadelia that pulls you in and puts you in a soothed state of mind. But dont get too comfortable, because youll soon be banging your head and tapping your toes the minute the first verse kicks in, with its crunchy guitar chords, pummeling rhythms, and hook-laden lead guitar and vocals. Switching things up yet again is the infectious chorus that follows, and youll more than likely find yourself humming along even after a single listen.
But the opening punch of Another Day isnt all The Cringe has to offer. The band spends the remainder of the album flaunting its skills in all the right ways. There are slightly more psychedelic and jam-based songs like Been Alone and Too Many Problems, as well as more hypnotic and lulling ballads like Empty Table, Kiss Me When Youre Dead and Blood. There are punk-tinged blasts like I Dont Know and Life That You Choose, as well as infectious pop-rockers like Far Away and On And On. Needless to say, the band is not one that cares to be considered easily predictable. Some songs, such as the far-reaching Grave, go as far as touching upon several of these styles at once, while still maintaining the strong sense of togetherness that is a definite highlight of the album.
In addition, the band refuses to rely on anything it hasnt created itself. There is no glossy overproduction and no synthetic instrumentation, just a strong sense of musicianship and a wholly organic feel to every song. Bassist Matt Powers and drummer Shawn Pelton play off of each other like they have been doing this for ages, providing the strong platforms upon which the rest of the songs are built. Singer and guitarist John Cusimano has the sort of voice that makes his words easily accessible and he writes songs that give off the same sort of vibe, but he is not the sort of frontman to insist that all of the attention be focused on him. He knows that he is surrounded by three equally talented musicians, and he is not afraid to let the spotlight roam. Meanwhile, lead guitarist Rob Levin punctuates every song with just the right number of blazing solos to keep the rest of the band on its toes.
The Cringes new album, Scratch the Surface, is currently available at the bands website (www.thecringeband.com) or at www.cdbaby.com/cd/thecringe. To request an interview with the band, please contact Rhonda Kelly at Rainmaker Publicity: Tel: 617-266-1601
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We have played live at many NYC area clubs such as CBGB, Continental, Acme, etc. We have also played some large scale festivals in front of thousands and thousands of people, such as Sunfest in West Palm Beach, Florida, where we warmed up for The Doors (featuring Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger, and Ian Asbury of The Cult on vocals). Joss Stone played before us on the bill that day.
Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Husker Du, Beatles, Pearl Jam . . . we've been described as Smithereens meets Metallica.
Guitars, Bass, Drums, Amps. Nothing else.
Debut album "Scratch the Surface" available NOW at www.thecringeband.com or www.cdbaby.com
