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Dead Mechanical

A Great Lie [7 inch] (2008)
Sex Cells

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: mikexdude
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 12th 2008

The date was December 6th, 2008; the show was Off with Their Heads, Police and Thieves, Dear Landlord, Deep Sleep and Dead Mechanical at the Corpse Fortress

At approximately 5:00 p.m., the first snow to fall on my part of Maryland did so; lawns were not covered, but a thin layer of white gloss embroidered the road just enough that traffic slowed a considerable amount. Around here, people see any faint sign of snow and completely forget how to drive. But it didn't take as long as my initial estimate to arrive. About six, my girlfriend and I finally got through the mess of slush and headlights, trekked down Fenton Road from the Majestic on foot and finally reached the venue...er, house. Police and Thieves and Deep Sleep evidently dropped off last minute and the show continued as a measly, but at the same time incredible, three-act lineup.

Two and a half glorious hours later (the show's demise), my first thought immediately belonged to the opening band Dead Mechanical, who impressed me with their exceptional brand of raw pop-punk. They acquire everything from Hüsker Dü's chordal wall of sound, ringing with open strings to vocals nasally akin to Jason Shevchuk, but recalling the smoky, heartbroken moments of Blake Schwarzenbach. There's something else, though. There's just this air of cynicism that really attracted me and I just had to hear more; it was my mission. The following night, after some skilled detective work, my mission was over as quickly as it came: their most recent 7-inch A Great Lie was in my possession.

At first spin, my on-the-spot comparisons were correct. The title track begins with a very Midwestern-sounding -- maybe it's Alkaline Trio I'm thinking of -- chord progression into a bouncy verse. Dual vocals, contributed by the drummer, enter, and his higher-register yelps contrast the guitarist's well. Both "A Great Lie" and "Bitter Drinks" share memorable choruses while the energy and exposed emotion of a live show is well-documented on the upbeat, drummer-fronted "Sidewalks."

Unfortunately, the brevity of A Great Lie, even in 7-inch standards, warrants this a lower score. The hooks flourish, there's a great level of wit, and overall the songwriting is admirable. But that's just it: At only three songs, the EP's quantity fails to satisfy its quality. I want to say this band would be better in larger doses.

To be honest, I'll be genuinely surprised if Dead Mechanical doesn't get big around here. Hopefully not too big though, because their stripped-down and unapologetic melodies are rather magical in a sweaty basement reeking of body odor.

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mikexdude (January 18, 2009)

Actually dude, when the hardcore bands (deep sleep, police and thieves) dropped off, a lot people left once they got there and heard the news.

Police and Thieves rule and your second to last sentence makes no sense.

Lmnndtlgrph (January 17, 2009)

are you kidding?

deep sleep's dropping off the bill didn't affect turnout 'cause it was at the LAST minute.

but police and thieves? you've got to be joking. what a shit band.

yeah, the kids LOVE police and thieves, but off with their heads, dear landlord, dead mechanical -nah, fuck that. who'd want to see that show?

you kids blow my mind sometimes.

mikexdude (December 16, 2008)

I'm betting a lot of kids didn't go once P&T and Deep Sleep dropped.

I thought the same thing, but there was a surprising amount of people. Lots of older dudes and younger punks who will go to a show cause they're new to the whole thing and haven't became picky and hardcore as fuck yet.

I'm Montgomery County.

writethatbitch (December 16, 2008)

nice review. This band is great.
The drummer's gf was my boss up at Baltimore's City Paper

I never saw this band play enough. Ugh.
What is your part of MD? Mine is/was PG county - Lanham, MD.
I'm in Korea for a year though so no more shows at the Corpse Fortress till Sept 09.
I'm betting a lot of kids didn't go once P&T and Deep Sleep dropped.

mikexdude (December 15, 2008)

Hey Aubin or Brian, something's up with the link.

setthealarm (December 14, 2008)

Weird, I clicked on the link to this when I saw the name Dead Mechanical..remembering that I had just bought there split with Chinese Telephones when I saw them at the Corpse Fortress..

Good Review, I need to get my hands on more of their stuff.

Xote (December 14, 2008)

Oh and dude who wrote the review. DEC 26th I booked a show @ The Velvet Lounge with these bands The Fordists, Settlers and Ambition Burning you should come out too if possible. I can get you in for free if you get in touch...

sleepytimemusic@gmail.com

Xote (December 14, 2008)

That show sounded like it was awesome.

mikexdude (December 12, 2008)

Their drummer rips; a lot from their full length shows a bit more of the unconventional times they play better than this.

icapped2pac (December 12, 2008)

Decent stuff on the myspace, albeit a little simple for my tastes. Reminds me of Shorebirds, which I also can't get that into because it sounds like Meg White is playing the drums on her two-piece set.

mikexdude (December 12, 2008)

Yes, she's a hoe!

waitingroom (December 12, 2008)

Your girlfriend goes to shows?! omgomgomg

xshoutoutx (December 12, 2008)

Decent sound... I can dig it!

bryne (December 11, 2008)

Yeah Mike! Thanks for turning me onto this band, they rule.