The National Rifle’s New Album Almost Endless
By Jane Croft
Photo by Jon Stars Photography (jonstars.com) and courtesy facebook.com/thenationalrifle
When M83 bounced onto the music scene, many of us fell under the spell of the cool sound and indescribable familiarity of the songs. If you love them, take a listen to The National Rifle’s latest release, Almost Endless.
This indie rock/electro rock Philly band, formed in 2006, is bursting with colors, lights and a Bowie influence that won’t be denied. Made up of Hugh Morretta on vocals and guitar, Lynn Stancato on keyboards and vocals, Buddy Mazzenga on drums and vocals and Jeremiah Sweeney giving us the bass, they propel listeners forward with their unique sound and pulsing beats.
“We made our first recording in 2006,” Morretta recalls, talking about the evolution the band has experienced throughout the years since their indie punk beginnings. “When we first started out, I think we were more guitar-oriented and punk-influenced.” These days, with 4 EPs under their belts in addition to the new album, the band combines guitars and synth to pay homage to genre icons like Bowie, New Order, and Gary Numan, but also tips their hats to newer talents like Johnny Jewel and Crystal Castles.
Almost Endless, their first full length album, was something that the band had wanted to do for a long time, according to Morretta. They wanted it to be representative of who and what the band was, but the project as a whole ended up being quite the journey. Through Kickstarter, they were able to raise about half of the funding needed to produce the album, and after that it was about a year’s worth of writing to get the collection of songs to where the band wanted them to be. Morretta understandably has a difficult time naming any of the album’s songs as his favorite ~ what parent can choose a favorite child! ~ but he does feel that “Coke Beat” has some great staying power.
We’re really loving the song, too ~ the perfectly balanced synth, the simple yet effective percussion and Morretta’s and Stancato’s vocals taking you to a place where you’re sporting some bold colors borrowed from an 80s fashionista and then hitting the slick city streets to find the ex who done you wrong. Whether you’re rockin’ eyeliner or a spiky hair do, The National Rifle is your soundtrack.
The National Rifle are quick to give out props to other bands who are impressing and inspiring them these day. Morretta’s loving the band Foxygen these days. And as more and more people give them props for the hard work they’ve been putting into their music for over seven years. They are currently preparing a US tour in the spring. Get lost in huge-chorus-fierce-punk-big-finish-electro-rock-dynamic-dance-energy world!
The Shows
Sunday, April 21st ~ 9pm @Ortliebs Lounge (Bands in the Back Yard Showcase) Philadelphia, PA
Thursday, April 25th ~ 8pm @Buzzbin Shop, Canton, OH
Friday, April 26th ~ 9pm@The Café, Macomb, IL
Saturday, April 27th ~ 9pm@Side Door Lounge, Omaha, NE
Sunday, April 28th ~ 9pm@Duffys Tavern, Lincoln, NE
Monday, April 29th ~ 9pm@Replay Lounge, Lawrence, KS
Tuesday, April 30th ~ 9pm@Smoke & Barrel Tavern, Fayetteville, AR