Orange County's Static Fiction new E.P. becomes available for mass download on ITunes on Tuesday and those fans that like bands like The Offspring, Simple Plan, Blink 182 and Green Day will be excited to hear a new band that takes what these pop/punk heroes did and give it a fresh sound. The energy of the disc is impossible to resist. Although this disc is not for those that like more hardcore punk, those looking for a fun-fueled rock ‘n’ roll adventure of foot-tapping beats and head-bopping hooks with enjoy Static Fiction. The production and engineering of the EP really stands out but that is because of punk-rock mega-producer Ryan Greene. Only time will tell if the lads can live up to the sound on the disc live. The drummer Jason Garrison really stands out throughout the disc. Paul Lipinsky (vocals, guitar) does a good job but you can hear at times that he emulates Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day. Justin Herter (guitar) and Ryan Brown (bass) round out the band and each brings their unique style to the disc.
The EP starts with the title track "Static Fiction" which is definitely the pop side of Punk. The drum work is solid, the guitar and bass fit the song but at times the gang vocals sound very Blink 182. While the songs fits the genre these lads are going for the track is not one of the stronger ones on the disc. “Ashes” is more of an upbeat song that the teen pop punks will adore and one of the better songs on the album. The song is infectious and makes want to get up and move. “Stop and Look” is the bands most melodic song on the EP. The bass playing is more Pennywise and so is the tempo. This is the one song that more “old school” fans would gravitate too and probably the best song on the EP. “Guano Love” could either be a comedic song because of the vocals or the bands take of a love song. Either way the song is catchy and fun with great tongue-in-cheek lyrics: “I know you’re walking out the door / we’ve done this dance before / I’m bat-shit crazy, it’s true / I’m bat-shit crazy for you.” The closing track is “Good Times” another chance for the lads to let out some aggression and at times they do. The song is a good merge of the fast aggressive sound that makes Punk so contagious and the poppy vocals and lyrics that are set to define Static Fiction.
All and all the EP is good and worth giving a listen or 2 especially if you enjoy you’re Punk Rock with pop.
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