The self-described “Sloppy Kiss Rock” Spud Cannon band was formed in 2016 at Vassar College. They came together as strangers and started playing house parties after building a repertoire of original music. The band would find themselves heading out to Los Angeles after they won Vassar College’s Battle of the Bands. Their debut album, Next Time Read The Fine Print was recorded in Los Angeles in just 7 days in the basement of guitarist Jackson Lewis. The album is currently #24 on the College Radio Top 200 in addition to going to #3 on the NACC’s chart for top adds for college radio stations.
Spud Cannon is Meg Matthews – Vocals; Ariana Bowe – Keyboards, Lucy Horgan – Bass, Jackson Lewis – Guitar and Sam Saias – Drums.
Next Time Read The Fine Print is a stand-out debut album that takes you on a wild ride with fierce songs that have a pop/punk/alt-rock flavor reminiscent of the 80s. There is nothing sloppy about this band’s rocking sound. Add in the distinct, airy vocals of lead singer Meg Matthews, lyrically raging songs, and a band that is tight and polished into the mix, and you have a recipe for success.
The album opens with a funny intro track, ‘Gary Oldman Presents Spud Cannon’ which was recorded by the award-winning actor. Oldman became a fan when the upbeat band played a literally glass-ware shattering lone gig at the Peppermint Club while they were recording in LA.
‘Thrum a Dum’ a stand-out track which starts with a drum beat, bass line, keys, and guitar riff that immediately launches you back to the 80s new wave sound. The song is infectious, fresh, and energetic as Spud Cannon. It immediately pulls you in from the first beats on the drum and the interesting lyrics will pleasantly bend your ears. This song just screams fun. You can’t help but want to get up and bounce/dance your way through the song. Guaranteed to have you hitting replay again and again.
Reminiscing over someone you have regrettably broken up with never sound so, well, upbeat. For such a painful subject, the track ‘Ow, Ow, Ow’ is a lyrically clever song. Bright keyboards, driving drums, subtle bass, and a subdued guitar lay down the foundation of the surprisingly upbeat groove that is punctuated with Meg’s punchy, high register vocals, and an infectious sing-a-long chorus. This song is a more brilliant, fresh take on the usual dreary, droning break-up songs you hear all the time.
‘Wipe It Out’ is a worthy nod to 60s rock. The slow melodic drum and guitar that starts out climbing like a surfer who catches a big wave and then is ceremoniously taken down following an intense drum roll and complementary rock guitar riffs. The song descends into a pounding breakneck speed toward the end with Meg’s enthusiastic dedication of the song to “all the ladies who can rock”. This track’s musical wave breaks with Jackson’s wailing guitar overlain with the gentle sound of the surf.
Another stand-out track is the femme fatal ‘A Screw Fell From His Head’. A bopping bass and percussion followed by a beautiful keyboard melody lay down the intro which effortlessly segues into a fantastic guitar riff reminiscent of The Cure. Meg’s drawn-out vocal phrasing only enhances the darkness of the lyrics.
One of the slower tracks on the record, ‘Daydream’ is relatively short but that doesn’t diminish its haunting quality. Vocally executed beautifully with a sorrowfulness, the track hypnotizes you with a sultry guitar and unrequited love lyrics. The backing vocals add a perfect layer of a dream-like state to the song.
Other tracks that round out the album include the energetic ‘Midnight’, the breezy ‘Breathe With’, the quirky ‘Bleached’, the school friend anthem ‘We’re Going To Be Friends’, and the dark ‘Solar Pyromaniac’.
This strong debut bookends its start with the last track ‘The Fine Print’, a funny, 30-second song in high-speed reverse with a spattering of semi-enthusiastic clapping. And contrary to the spoken words at the end, this record does not suck and deserves a hearty applause.
Highly Recommended. Go grab Next Time Read The Fine Print available on the band’s website, iTunes, and Bandcamp.
Get the limited edition cassette w/bonus track (100 copies available only) at Bandcamp.
Check out Spud Cannon’s YouTube channel for more music.
Follow Spud Cannon on social media:
Instagram: @spudcannonband
Facebook: SpudCannonBand
