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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

These two Lawrence Arms followers decided to do a split with each other, each doing two songs. I really think it's a good match. They both have previous releases, the great Eat Your Young by Monikers and Pass the Poison by Banner Pilot, both EPs showing great potential. They both seem to be growing into their own sound and stretching away from the aforementioned Larry Arms influence. It's good to see how these two bands are coming along and how they've been progressing as a band and finding their individuality.

Starting things off is Banner Pilot with "Spit Out." It's a really good song with a harder edge and being a little faster than their previous releases. It also may get stuck in your head for a while, as it did mine. Their second track is "Deadender," which is equally as good. Although, that might be becuase it sounds a lot like "Spit Out." Simply put, it sounds way too similar to the previous track. The structure is pretty much the same, even ending repeating a phrase over and over again as "Spit Out." However, it has some subtle differences and the more you listen to it, the more you can differentiate the two. I would say that this is a solid side on the split 7".

Next up are Monikers with more cement mixer vocals over catchy guitar riffs. If the song "Over" is a only a taste of their announced full-length, then signs are pointing towards a future classic. As with the first Banner Pilot song, expect this to get stuck in your head for a while. The second song is entitled "Kids." It seems akin to their`song "Information" off of Eat Your Young. It's kind of a slower song with a chorus that isn't quite catchy but shouldn't be, for it would take away from the song. I would say Monikers' side edges out the Banner Pilot side by a little bit but I could see someone liking the other side better. It just shows how both these bands are on the same level.

Overall, this is a really good 7" with some great music and a definitely solid matchup. It exhibits how much potential this band has and makes the listener anticipate a future release from both of the bands. This is definitely one of the better split 7"s of the year.



People who liked this also liked:
Jawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge TherapyDescendents - Milo Goes To CollegeCrimpshrine - Duct Tape SoupDillinger Four - Midwestern Songs of the AmericasDrunken Boat / Blotto - Split [7 inch]Monikers - Eat Your YoungMinutemen - We Jam Econo DVDOff with Their Heads / Dear Landlord - Split [7 inch]7 Seconds - The CrewX-Ray Spex - Germ Free Adolescents [expanded]



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    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2007-08-21 23:28:49

    Geez guys, calm the fuck down. A record gets a good review and all you can talk about is who the bands should be compared to (or who you think they should be compared to). I first compared Banner Pilot to the Larry Arms, and yes I know who Jawbreaker is and like them too (and have been listening to them since before I ever heard of the Lawrence Arms). It's just the first thing that comes to mind. And also, I don't think most people outside of Minneapolis have heard of Rivethead.

    you people can't even take a good review without finding something to complain about.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 1:50 AM (EDT)

    it's one thing to say a band sounds like the lawrence arms, it's another to say they're "lawrence arms followers." for real, like another commenter said, ever heard of rivethead, motherfucker? ever heard of discount? these kids have been playing music like this for years. jawbreaker and crimpshrine are the influences here, not the fucking lawrence arms (not that i don't like them).

    Posted by inagreendase on 2007-08-20 20:04:27

    Both of these bands put out their first releases within the last, like, 2-3 years. I don't think it's that much of a stretch to say they're both Jawbreaker and TLA fans.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 20, 2007 at 9:43 AM (EDT)

    early TLA isn't THAT far removed from Banner Pilot stop being silly shits

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 20, 2007 at 3:44 AM (EDT)

    monikers and fake problems need to do an anti-split 7''

    my only complaint about Monikers is every time i've seen them i can never make out Ryan's lyrics. i don't know if they don't turn up the volume on his mic, he's just too quiet/raspy-voiced, or he just prefers it that way. that aside, they're good dudes and put on a decent show.

    KOD's been putting out some killer splits recently too, this and the measure (SA)/ o pioneers!!! split.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 3:25 PM (EDT)

    WTH? Banner Pilot and the Lawrence Arms sound NOTHING like each other.

    Why don't we just insinuate that all Green Day fans will like Stiff Little Fingers while we're at it?

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 1:25 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The Witches With Dicks album is better. It breaks my heart that they are breaking up after The Fest. FUck.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 6:01 PM (EDT)

    Monikers hates fake problems

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 6:01 PM (EDT)

    Dude who runs this label is awesome!!!

    Posted by JonDaley on 2007-08-17 17:37:40

    first off Discount was awesome, everyone in this thread needs to take it easy on the reviewer.

    I don't own this but I own both bands previous EPs and I must say their sounds aren't that far removed from The Lawrence Arms. Sure they aren't followers, poor choice of words on the reviewers part. It isn't that far fetched to think without knowing the bands personal histories that TLA would influence them, they aren't exactly wet behind the ears themselves on the punk pop scene. yeah maybe the reviewer could sound a little more informed but no need to get all bent out of shape it isn't like he said he hated your favourite record and he does give some clues as to the sound.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 4:51 PM (EDT)

    "lawrence arms followers" Are you kidding me? not quite.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 2:05 PM (EDT)

    To the Larry Arms fanboy and Brand New aficionado below: grow up. It's pretty obvious I'm right if 6 other people posted exactly the same thing before me within hours of this review being posted. You're spending too much time indoors on your mommy and daddy's fancy laptop; go out and buy some tampons or something.

    Posted by nocigar on 2007-08-17 12:55:50
    My Score:

    person below, what the fuck is wrong with you...eat too much shit cereal this morning? fuck off you dicklicker.

    good review, awesome bands.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 12:18 PM (EDT)

    Monikers are definitely NOT "Lawrence Arms followers." Their lead guitar played in Discount and has at least 5 years on any of those chumps. Their bassist played in Kite Flying Society.

    Seriously lame. Why are you reviewing punk records if you know nothing about the idiom?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 12:15 PM (EDT)

    no one sounds like the larry arms. the larry arms sound like so many other bands. how old are you?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 11:37 AM (EDT)

    I know they were a short term deal, but I would put Unitas up there as the best post Discount band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 9:35 AM (EDT)

    err, i meant the "sounds like" section...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 9:33 AM (EDT)

    SERIOUSLY!?! lawrence arms followers?! I think the "influences" section of the Monikers' myspace page is very applicable to this reviewer.

    and no mention of the fact that Ryan is ex-Discount? Monikers are the best post-Discount band to come out so far. The others are/were barely tolerable, and Monikers are amazing.

    Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2007-08-17 09:33:14

    I like Banner Pilot, and don't like Lawrence Arms, so I also gotta disagree with that statement.

    Posted by R3venge_Therapy on 2007-08-17 09:25:14

    Did you really just call these bands "Lawrence Arms followers"?

    Monikers sound a fuckload like Dillinger Four, and Banner Pilot...I mean c'mon, have you never heard of Rivethead? They aren't the easiest band to find music by, but when you're doing a review, at least take a look at where the members have been in the past. With MySpace, it's so damn easy to at least hear some songs by a band you won't be able to find a record by. There is a Jawbreaker vibe from these bands, and I agree with the guy who said you just showed your age by mentioning the Lawrence Arms. I love the Lawrence Arms, and all three of them are totally fucking awesome dudes, but I'm really sick of the punk scene's collective ball-hanging that's been going on over the past few years.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 2:52 AM (EDT)

    you totally showed your age by comparing these bands to the lawrence arms instead of jawbreaker.

    good record, okay review.

    Posted by drunkenriot on 2007-08-17 02:42:26

    Shit, I got it.