Album Review: Bandaid Brigade “I’m Separate”
review by Ricky Frankel
Band: Bandaid Brigaide
Album: I’m Separate
Label: Self-Released
Score: 8/10
For the last 5 or 6 years punk fans have heard Zach Quinn’s unrelenting vocals that lead every PEARS song. But even bigger fans of Zach’s work know that he isn’t just a frontman who screams into a mic with a band shredding and rocking out behind him. His solo record, which came out in 2016 via Joey Cape’s One Week Records, showed a different and softer side to his song writing that many of hadn’t heard before — and the response to it was just a positive as when PEARS’ Green Star was released that same year through Fat Wreck Chords.
Punk fans have seen the name Brian Wahlstrom all over the place. He’s a member of Scorpios and the leader of the underrated, “Punk rock-meets-Billy Joel” group, Gods Of Mount Olympus.
Interestingly, if you read the liner notes of Lagwagon’s 2019 album Railer, you will see that both of these artists are credited in them. Zach Quinn recorded some backing vocals and Brian Wahlstrom played keyboards.
These two are clearly professionals.
So all of this begs the question, what happens when two incredibly accomplished musicians come together to do totally out-of-the-box project? Well, the fans will know that whatever the two artists come up with will be something special. And that “something“ is Bandaid Brigade’s first full-length, I’m Separate.
This album is something the punk scene didn’t know it needed. I’m Separate draws a lot from popular genres that originate back to the 1980’s such as new wave, power pop, what the kids today call “yacht rock,” and a lot more. While the tracks on I’m Separate do take on some serious subjects lyrically like related bands back thirty-plus years ago did, you can definitely tell that Bandaid Brigade have a sense of humor about themselves and throw in a sense of irony into their songs here and there.
I’m Separate starts with a fade into the first track, “Everything.” This where you get your first dose of what Bandaid Brigade is all about. The blues-y guitar riffs and fills clash with the light piano chords making for s perfect background to Zach Quinn’s (much) higher vocals (something you don’t hear too often from his other projects), most notably in the chorus.
The track “Travel Light” is one of the many examples where Zach and Brian take turns singing lead. Both of their own distinct styles of vocals contrast each other really well. It’s a funky and upbeat song that borders disco, which believe it or not, makes it easily one of the catchiest tunes on the record. “Treat Me Like A Christmas Tree” is a much more anthemic song, which features some of Zach’s most daring vocals to date and after you make you through the heavily palm-muted bridge, out bursts a 1980’s hair metal guitar solo that is on par with something that Randy Rhoads would have played back in the day.
And then there’s the song “Break The Grid.” Once again, both Zach and Brian take turns with lead vocals, but it’s Brian’s singing (and at some points, shouting) that really shines on this track. Heavily reliant on a more synth-y sound, this track sounds like it could be played during the opening credits of a Brat Pack movie. And it rocks just like the rest of them with big, distorted guitars and heavy drumming.
There are a couple of other stand-out tunes on I’m Separate that contrast the rest of the album’s overall sound quite well. With Brian singing lead this time, Bandaid Brigade slow things down with a cover of Randy Newman’s melancholy song “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today.” The other one worth mentioning is the very last track, “Nothing.” I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t heard it yet, but just get through the minute (or so) of relative silence and you will probably be laughing until you cry when the music finally starts. That’s all I’ll give away.
What’s so cool about I’m Separate is that the band has taken from genres from a different generation, infused them with their own style, which in turn gives their songs a much more updated edge. Bandaid Bridge have given young people that barely remember the turn of the century a chance to check out a blend of genres that they most likely have never encountered before. I’m Separate is a really fun and unique record that many fans of punk rock and many non-punk rock fans will find quite enjoyable. Brian, Zach, and the rest of the band should be given a lot for credit for taking the risk of recording an album that is so out-of-the-box.
Plus, I cannot recommend their live shows enough.
Now someone please press this album onto vinyl immediately. Please.
Ricky Frankel is the author of the book I’m Outta Here!: A Collection Of Interviews & Anecdotes From The Punk Scene (2014-2018), which you can find on Storenvy and Amazon.com.
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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