SCARS IN THE VEIN by ELDRIDGE RODRIGUEZ
- Scars in the Vein -
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MDRF040 | July 2022 |6:06 | MP3
Midriff Records is excited to release the new Eldridge Rodriguez single titled "Scars in the Vein (feat. Thalia Zedek)" which (spoiler) features indie rock legend Thalia Zedek (Come, Live Skull, E, Thalia Zedek Band).
The single is a poetic rant on the ineffectuality of performative activism set to anthemic art rock and layered with noise. Everyone voices an opinion on social media and thinks that constitutes political action. New media outlets pop up routinely claiming to offer a fresh perspective while shamelessly ripping off the old ones. What should have been the democratization of the internet, an amplification of disenfranchised voices in new media and an embrace of political engagement and discussion is wasted on trolls, dishonest politicking and half assed hot takes. The track posits the idea that maybe everyone doesn’t need an opinion on everything and we'd be better served shutting the fuck up for a second to listen. Your online voice isn't political action if it's never backed up in real life. It's static and distortion, distraction and garbage. Yeah, it's about all that stuff.
Eldridge Rodriguez were ecstatic to have Thalia Zedek contribute vocals to the track. She is a national treasure and we are all lucky to be living in the same timeline as she is. We're all fans of Thalia's. She is the best and her vocals add so much to the song. If you squint you can see Thalia and Cameron hidden in the cover art. Fun stuff.
This is the third single released recently by the band, the two previous singles being "Megalodon" and "Have I Said Too Much". All three singles will appear on the band's upcoming full length album titled Atrophy, the release date of which is TBD
Cameron Keiber- guitar, keys, vocals
David Grabowski- bass, keys
Clayton Keiber- guitar
Dennis Grabowski- drums, percussion
Thalia Zedek on backing vocals
Recorded and mixed by the band at Bluetone Studio, Somerville MA.
Engineered by David Grabowski.
Mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering, Newtonville, MA
Album Art: Design- Cameron Keiber, Cover Picture by Cameron Keiber
“Scars in the Vein’ tears into the moribund politics of the perpetually online, mourning the energy expended grandstanding and fighting with bad faith commentators when it could be put towards more direct action. The song sees the Thalia Zedek (Come, Live Skull, E) lend her vocals, finding catharsis if not hope in its impassioned cynicism.” — Various Small Flames
“A veritable symphonic waltz at times, “Scars In The Vein” powers forward with Dennis Grabowski’s drumming at the forefront accenting every note and feeling with David Grabowski’s low end and, especially, mastery of synths and programming creating this ethereal air over all.
Then there’s the Clayton and Cameron Keiber’s guitar work which proves elusive while dueling within the glorious noise as Cameron’s voice and words ring out in much the same way that Springsteen or Jonathan Richman do in their respective outfits. Speaking of voices, the distinct pipes of Zedek are all over the track providing Cameron with a unique counterpart that leads towards a sweeping finale that swells with harmony and emotion.” — Rock and Roll Fables
PAST PRESS
“Have I Gone Too Far” is a marked change in tone from the band’s previous single. Musically, the single takes a post-punk approach with angular, meandering guitars set against a pounding backbeat until it erupts in gang choruses and synths.
The B-side of the single, “All My Favorite Clowns Are Dead,” is a bouncy, noise-pop track that changes directions multiple times in its three-plus minutes and explores American culture’s fickle fascination with and dismissal of celebrity.” — The Big Takeover
“Driving and deliberate, A-Side “Have I Gone Too Far” is a beats-heavy ditty that’s all the more pronounced with Dennis Grabowski’s inspired drumming and Cameron Keiber’s hearty baritone. Deeper in is this lush soundscape (Courtesy of Dave Grabowski) reminiscent of a contemporary like White Lies or a classic like Men Without Hats making for an instant signature Eldridge Rodriguez favorite.
On the flippety flip is “All My Favorite Clowns Are Dead” which is a whimsical march in a similarly masterful way that The Flaming Lips do what they do with bassist Dave Grabowski’s subtle bounce accenting brother Dennis’ hits while the brothers Keiber lay down some solid guitar atmosphere under Cameron’s heartfelt vox.— Rock and Roll Fables
“Kicking off with a simmering, staccato pace of sporadically blasting guitar riffs and a laid-back drum-beat groove, the song rises with intensity on the chorus sections, blazing with a pressing bass line, a web of dynamic and fiery guitar interplay, kinetic drums and cymbals strikes, and passionately yearning vocals.” — The Big Takeover
“Alice Drills” is a throwback of a different sort and what I imagine a meeting between The Cure and R.E.M. at The Factory after Ian Curtis’ untimely demise might sound like.” — Rock and Roll Fables
“Eldridge Rodriguez Deliver New Alternative Masterpiece, Album Of The Year Contender With Slightest of Treason.” — Rock and Roll Fables
“There is energy to be found in the unlikeliest of places. In anger and fear an sadness and doubt. Slightest of Treason does not so much as harness this energy as unleash it.” — Various Small Flames
“Purely electric with an intense Vigor” — Medium
“Serving up a sound that is both enjoyably noisy and deliciously poppy, it’s a fine showcase for the bands latest album — Analogue Trash
OTHER RELEASES BY ELDRIDGE RODRIGUEZ
REVIEWS
“I started 2021 by winning a pair of Hot Ones Reebok sneaks and the promise that live shows might actually happen again. And then people kept being stupid and live music is still in a state of flux…and I still haven’t worn those kicks outside yet. But through it all, stellar music continues to drop. Like the latest singles from Eldridge Rodriguez which, in a slight departure from last year’s stunning Slightest Of Treason full-length, sees the quartet treading new sonic territory.
But I digress.
One of my most favorite outfits with a song about one of my most favorite sea creatures??? Sign. Me. Up. “Megalodon” and “Alice Drills” are the first taste out of over 25 songs recorded during this current funk (Record coming late 2021/early 2022 preceded by even more singles) and they truly deliver beyond what fans might’ve been expecting from the Keiber’s and Grabowski’s. “Megalodon” is a formidable, fuzzy mover and shaker and a real ER classic with an Old School Boston vibe that seemingly captures the combined essences of Mission Of Burma, Pixies, and Jonathan Richman and on the flip side, “Alice Drills” is a throwback of a different sort and what I imagine a meeting between The Cure and R.E.M. at The Factory after Ian Curtis’ untimely demise might sound like.
“Megalodon/Alice Drills” lands on September 10th through Midriff Records. You can stream the tracks upon release by clicking here and here or head here for streaming and digital downloads. For the latest on Eldridge Rodriguez, including up-to-date info on when even more new music is coming, head on over to the socials when you click here, here, or here.“— Rock and Roll Fables
“In late February 2020 Midriff Records put out the 8th release by Boston-based indie rock/noise pop outfit Eldridge Rodriguez.
Titled Slightest of Treason, the album was inspired in part by the shift toward conservative dogma in US politics, and a reaction against it.
Eldridge Rodriguez planned on supporting the release with live shows starting with their record release party at Great Scott in Boston in mid/late March.
But by mid-March the live music scene was dead, most media outlets were stymied, clubs were shuttered, radio was figuring out how to broadcast remotely, and Slightest of Treason was lost in the chaos and shuffle created by the initial months of the pandemic.
With an abundance of time on their hands, band members Cameron Keiber (guitar, keys, vocals), David Grabowski (bass, keyboards), Clayton Keiber (guitar), and Dennis Grabowski (drums, percussion) went back into Bluetone Studios (owned and operated by David Grabowski) and started to work on the follow-up to Slightest of Treason.
The product of which was 25-plus new tracks for an as yet untitled album with a more relaxed, contemplative sound accompanied by lyrics that reflect the past year-plus we’ve all experienced.
Big Takeover is pleased to host the premiere of the band’s first single from these sessions, the heartfelt and restless “Megalodon” (which is backed by the B-side “Alice Drills”).
Kicking off with a simmering, staccato pace of sporadically blasting guitar riffs and a laid-back drum-beat groove, the song rises with intensity on the chorus sections, blazing with a pressing bass line, a web of dynamic and fiery guitar interplay, kinetic drums and cymbals strikes, and passionately yearning vocals.
The changing state of the song’s composition, which contains contemplative verses and more urgent choruses, aptly reflects our current tumultuous times.
The “Megalodon” 2-song single officially releases this Friday, September 10th via Midriff Records.
Eldridge Rodriguez plan on releasing more singles leading up to their full length release sometime in late 2021/early 2022.”