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The Ergs!

Hindsight Is 20/20, My Friend
2008
Dirtnap

The Ergs! - Hindsight Is 20/20, My Friend (Cover Artwork)

Review by: JakeCrown
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The Ergs! RIP (link)

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Published on September 19th 2008

As much as this is a review for the new Ergs! compilation, Hindsight Is 20/20, My Friend, it is more of a goodbye letter from one of the Ergs!'s biggest fans.

When I heard the news that the Ergs! were breaking up, I was in disbelief. There is no way my favorite band is breaking up-type of thing. I have gotten to know the Ergs! fairly well in the last few years while living in Gainesville and have learned how not only how rad of a band they are, but how rad these dudes are. Unselfish, funny as hell, and well, yes, nerdy. The feeling I had when I found out you were through felt like when my first girlfriend Teresa kicked me in the nuts and broke up with me during recess (true story). Ironically, I was drinking a Nehi grape soda.

The first time I heard the Ergs! was when I was living with Aaron Lay on NW 16th Ave. in 2005. Aaron played me the split 7-inch with the Modern Machines. Their cover of the Beatles' "Not a Second Time" blew the brain out of my head. It's a ballsy move for a young pop-punk band from Jersey to cover the Beatles, but their version is flawless.

After instantly going and getting Dorkrockcorkrod, I fell in love. This was that band that we all wanted to be in. They were writing the songs about girls that we were too "cool" too write. The Ergs! were instantly my favorite band.

Hindsight Is 20/20, My Friend is a 33-song collection of the Ergs!'s extensive 7-inch and compilation history. This compilation shows how undeniably catchy this band can be playing everything -- pop-punk, hardcore, street punk, alt-country, even dub reggae! Hindsight has quite a few covers, which some will love and some could live without. That is why I liked the Ergs! so much: They did what they wanted to. I mean, a Gin Blossoms cover? In fact, "Hey Jealousy" sounds better than the original, trust me.

Although I think the Ergs! sound way better on vinyl, having all of these songs mastered together makes this compilation even better. All of the songs sound amazing, and exactly how the Ergs! sound. There are no tricks to this band, proven by their live show.

Musically, they are so much better than they will ever know. I have seen them play so many times I can't remember, and every show has blown me away. When the Ergs! play, my feet instantly tap, my beer is raised into the sky, and I am a teenager again. I am that kid watching Digger and Weston play in a basement in 1996. I am smiling so much it's embarrassing; I am singing along to every word, usually arm in arm with good friends.

Favorite Ergs! story: Savage Brewtality was playing with the Ergs! up in Richmond, VA for the Best Friends Day festival a few years back. Every time I saw them I would beg them to play "180 Degree Emotional Ollie," my favorite Ergs! song. Towards the end of the set, they busted into it. I was so into it, I grabbed the microphone and sang the entire song. That's what kind of band they were -- not only did they not care, but the last time they came through Gainesville, they called me on stage to sing the song with them again. You guys rule -- thanks for that.

Please don't break up.

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Posted by SlackMFr on 2008-09-22 06:51:21
My Score:

This band makes me hate them because they suck so much.

Posted by eazyd2 on 2008-09-22 02:15:59

needs more cowbell.

Posted by Torgo on 2008-09-20 20:35:14

That's what I said!

Posted by R3vengeTherapy on 2008-09-20 11:08:26

Love the Ergs; don't love this review, which sounds like a fan letter to the band.

Posted by Torgo on 2008-09-20 03:39:02

I love The Ergs! but this reads more like a blog entry about someone's favorite band.

Posted by Nick_V on 2008-09-20 02:13:52
My Score:

Score is for the reference to "Dirty Work." I never could get into this band.

"Wait... are you telling me that you bet on the fight in Rocky III and you bet against Rocky?"

Posted by kidentropy on 2008-09-19 19:41:41

Hey, everyone's got their own opinions, man. It's just kind of baffling that you say that their guitarist doesn't have any talent when he's clearly an incredible technical player. Take a listen to 'Most Violent Rap Group/Pray For Rain' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAq3Zl5FIUs) and honestly tell me that the solos in that song don't require any talent.

Posted by Johnny_J on 2008-09-19 16:06:15

I'm not gonna argue with you guys, we all have different opinions. and i'm sure there's bands that I love that you don't get or like as well.

Posted by kidentropy on 2008-09-19 15:47:01
My Score:

Wow, saying that Jeff Erg doesn't have any guitar talent is just flat out wrong.

Posted by SloaneDaley on 2008-09-19 15:35:13

yes because when listening to Cartel I totally get an authentic tapestry of Descendents, Husker Du, The Replacements woven together with a sense urgency, fun and personality. totally.

Posted by Johnny_J on 2008-09-19 15:18:55

"I'm interested in hearing how they were generic, other than "Blahhh, super generic"."

Well since you're interested, I think their sound is extremely overplayed and done before, and specificly I don't believe the guitarist(s) have any talent. To me, they are just another run of the mill bands, the lyrics aren't anything special or fun, and I don't see any difference between The Ergs! and a band like Cartel, other than mainstream popularity.

Posted by chokingvictim on 2008-09-19 14:09:13

yeah calling them generic is a stretch. i'd be stoked if there were a bunch of other bands that sounded the same though.

Posted by mattramone on 2008-09-19 13:38:19
My Score:

One of the finest bands out there. Kind of Like Smitten is one of the most perfect pop punk songs ever written.

*tips 40*

Posted by ManOfInfirmity on 2008-09-19 12:34:49

I'm interested in hearing how they were generic, other than "Blahhh, super generic".

Posted by Johnny_J on 2008-09-19 12:15:09
My Score:

Blahhh. super generic... boring...

Posted by SloaneDaley on 2008-09-19 10:29:43

*also they have

Posted by SloaneDaley on 2008-09-19 10:28:54

it always baffles me when someones calls The Ergs! generic, it is fine to not like them but Upstairs/Downstairs is a really diverse album and not a minute sounds forced either. Also they exceptional command of melody and just all around original songwriting ideas.

Posted by baseball on 2008-09-19 10:14:08
My Score:

Generic? That's craziness if you ask me. The Ergs! have way more going on than your average pop punk band. These guys are totally genuine and will be missed.

My favorite Ergs! memory is probably when the power went out at Insubordination Fest '06 and the Ergs! came out and played acoustic in the parking lot. Really awesome thing to do for a lot of people sitting around in the dark bored out of their minds.

Totally agree on the "Hey Jealousy" cover. Better than the original.

Posted by BDN on 2008-09-19 09:49:00

Upstairs / Downstairs is very good album

I'm checking this out.

Punk bands breaking up is not very punk.

Posted by bryne on 2008-09-19 08:53:50

can we get a tracklist? I can't seem to find one

http://www.downloadpunk.com/?webaction=ProductDetail&produ ctid=3009869

Posted by almostpunkenough on 2008-09-19 05:47:47

oh my god, i was hoping these guys breaking up would finally free me of having to hear them being sucked-ff all the goddamn time... apparently it's only served to make it more rampant.

if i never hear another word about this ultra generic, boring-as-hell, too-average-to-be-average crap again, it'll be too soon.

Posted by xIxKilledxJesusx on 2008-09-19 00:26:46
My Score:

ugh

Posted by blanktapesemptybottles on 2008-09-19 00:23:10

can we get a tracklist? I can't seem to find one

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