And in the shadows, the true revolutionaries choose to dwell. Far away from full-page fashion spreads in what’s meant to be a bible for alternative culture, from ethical haircuts and the arrogance that comes from adoring, mindless cloned fans lie the bands that are doing what every band should be doing – sitting in dark rooms making music for themselves. Hiding from the spotlight of obviousness and categorically refusing to make mention of that most hideous of concepts, that destroyer of truth and rapist of art: compromise. The bands that will be clutched to a new set of hearts even a generation after their demise aren’t the ones with rehearsed stage moves or expensive guitars; they’re the ones that believe so much in their own product that they’ll write words in their own blood when the biros run out. And we all know how long biros can last.
Let’s be clear here, Jollynotso aren’t the finished article yet. Their particular brand of ink-black punk rock subtitled with horns (about as ska as Opeth) is by no means perfect, but what’s most exciting about “To Fear The Past…” is that it feels like this group of seven individuals have a clear mission statement, to make music that no one’s made before. Tunes like ‘He Spreads Disease’ and ‘A.P.O.S.D.’ rip through just over two minutes of frantic vocal yelps and screams with a brace of guitars keeping pace with the sheer kinetic brilliance of the songwriting. This isn’t easy listening; this is the sound of someone, some people, on the verge of drawing blood and feeding it through a mixing desk, just to see what it sounds like, just because it’s honest.
If Lightyear had continued the dark strain of “Chris Gentleman’s…” through to another album they might have strayed into this sort of territory. As it is, the nearest band to Jollynotso is No Comply, but only because of the sonic similarities. Jollynotso could mutate into a truly special group, but only if they continue to renounce all kinds of conformity and compromise. They’re ridiculously young too – which means they should be around for a hell of a long time. Intensely personal and powerfully accessible at the same time, Jollynotso could be a name worth carving into your arm.
Ben
www.jolly-not-so.cjb.net