So the story goes a little something like this – band forms in New Jersey in 1998 playing NOFX and MxPx covers. Band starts writing own material and signs to small US indie Iguana Records in 2000. Releases first record and tours with the likes of Mest, NFG and The Starting Line in early 2002. Band then gets chosen to appear on a special cd that goes with special edition copies of NFG’s ‘Sticks and Stones’ record. Band then splits with label and goes into the studio to record new EP. Band releases said EP, ‘Five’ and sells 4,000 copies without a distribution deal or label support. Band attracts attention of Nitro Records and duely signs. Say hello to Don’t Look Down.
The best bit about DLD is that with the summer coming this is one hell of a sunshine record. It’s ultra poppy punk with some awesome riffs and catchy melodies and while it is literally the 2003 version of The Starting Line, it’s absolutely impossible not to like this band if you’re of the pop-punk persuasion. Infact I’m significantly impressed enough to track down that first record ‘Start The Show’ if someone can point me in the right direction.
No doubt there will be a lot of people shaking their heads when they read this, but during the space of 5 songs I’m tapping along and singing to the choruses, which are catchier than the SARS virus. I’ll be lazy and compare ‘Five’ to The Starting Line‘s first EP, a record that had them brimming with confidence and promise. In the same way that TSL got noticed, it’s all about the songs – everything here has a sheen that begs attention. Opener ‘Wake Me’ has a very catchy guitar riff and is sure to bit a live favourite, ‘Bender’ is a bit faster and recalls the likes of Rufio, while ‘Fast Forward’ uses acoustic guitar without coming across too cliched. ‘Undone’ is a little darker and more mid-paced, but the riffs crunch and twist and the drums are solid throughout. Of course it wouldn’t be right without a full-on acoustic ditty and ‘Can You Hear Me?’ comes up trumps, just vocalist Ryan at his most tender, even if this does really sound like any one of the other identikit US bands peddling their punk right now. But I like it, so I don’t care.
Don’t Look Down have that something about them that will certainly get them a lot of attention. They hope to tour the UK later this year and I’m certain they will go down very well. It’s sure as hell not original by any means, but I’m always partial to some good pop-punk and ‘Five’ is a good pop-punk record. Ones to certainly check out.
www.dontlookdown.com
Paul