Øff Guard Back Ønline with New Single "Sincere"; Tinkers Lane Tops Blog List (SNS week of 3/7/2021)

 This week marks one year since COVID-19 shut down just about everything, and that pretty much included playing music via live gigs.   Of course, while we're not yet out of the woods, things do seem to be looking up.   And while the pandemic, despite a late summer and autumn "window" of artists and bands playing live (mostly outdoors), the winter has once again brought things to a stand still.    But it hasn't stopped many artists from continuing to record, by any means.   Many of the blog's favorite artists have released new product---or myself discovering past product--over the past several months.  In fact, three of the acts who are also Facebook friends, hold down the Top 3 slots this week.  But more on that later.

One band, in particular I had been looking out for in the last several months, for something new.  And last week, I finally got it.   Long Island-based Øff Guard, on March 5, debuted their long-awaited new single "Sincere".   And while the band has attracted some notice in their native Long Island, and perhaps Brooklyn (and even had a write-up in the UK's Moshville Times a couple years back), they are pretty much still obscure.  But perhaps that will be about to change soon.

Long Island-based rockers Off Guard debut with their new single "Sincere".

Øff Guard, if you haven't followed my blog, is an alternative rock quartet out of Long Island, fronted by lead singer Matt Weiss.   Back in 2015, a solo single by Matt was posted by his mom, Annette, whom I've known since 1983, although it wasn't until 2011 that we reconnected on Facebook.   She posted his single "Black Magic", which impressed me to the point that it reached #6 on my blog that year.  It was also my #20 song of 2015 and even reached #104 on my top 200 list of the 2010's decade.   While perhaps "Black Magic" could compare to artists like Shawn Mendes, or Ed Sheeran, Weiss was to prove his style of music transcended that of that song; that he could also rock with authority.   And he would soon prove it.

Two years later, Matt gathered some friends from high school and college and formed the band, which also includes bassist/backing vocalist Tyler Embry, guitarist Matt Becker and drummer Nick Kolokathis.  The band released their first single, "Maybe", which set the style for their alternative/emo/punkish style.  "Maybe" sailed to #7 on the SNS 100, and was quickly followed by "Strawberry Moon", which got to #2--held out of the top spot by Cold War Kids' "So Tied Up".  "Strawberry Moon" appeared on their first EP, 2017's Set the Scene, which also contained their next blog entry, "Tension", which reached #17 here.   The songs garnered some airplay on some Internet stations and broadened the band's reach.

The band's first full length album, 2019's Losing My Mind With My Heart, came next, featuring the #9 "Lights", as well as key track "Bounce House" which was also a single.  While it seems the band is just having fun, the album touched on several personal issues, such as death, mental health, anxiety, depression and interpersonal relationships.  But, like many bands, the pandemic hit and pretty much moved them to the sidelines.  However, they were able to release a live set in 2020, the three-track The Flying Carpet Live Sessions.

And that leads us to "Sincere", the new single.   It's pretty much everything you want in a rock band in 2021.   The track harkens back to the best of Foo Fighters, which, not surprisingly, is one of the band's influences.    "Sincere" takes the best of the late-90's post-grunge sound, adds a bit of the post-punk and emo sounds from the ensuing two decades to make a full rock recording.    Matt Weiss' vocals, along with Tyler Embry's backing, meld in perfectly.

And though the band members' ages are only in their early-to-mid 20's, it seems like they've been around for a long time and know rock history.    And, like another great, young area band, ScreenAge, it's great to see this generation carry on the rock heritage when many of their contemporaries are exploring hip-hop and current pop sounds.    The sound is perfect for alternative radio these days, and let's hope that some of those radio stations play "Sincere".

The band's influences cover a broad spectrum of rock:  Aside from Foo Fighters, Øff Guard were also inspired by Paramore, 2000's-era Fall Out Boy, and Queen, among others.   You also need to give credence to the band's knowledge of the industry.   Matt's page, in the couple weeks leading up to the release of "Sincere", provided some teaser posts and videos leading up to the March 5 release date. As for the video itself, it is also professionally done, and the four guys in the band are definitely having a good time.

"Sincere" is my Top Debut this week, coming in at #58, and if it's anything like their other songs, it'll hit my Top 20 in no time.    The song is available on most download and streaming sites.  And let us hope that life gets back to normal, so I will be able to catch them performing live.

English band Tinkers Lane grab the top spot with "Honey Honey" from their debut album The Noise is Beautiful

CHART-WISE:  After a couple weeks at #2, London-area band Tinkers Lane grabs the top spot with the very catchy pop-rocker "Honey Honey".   The song, from the band's debut The Noise is Beautiful moves to the pole position, displacing Emily MacMahon's still strong "Only Us", which drops to #2.    Vocalist Ian Roberts leads this upbeat band, which has recorded ten strong songs which comprise that 2020 debut.   The band does transcend genres, from love songs, to summer tunes, even country, reggae and Latin influences.   

Unfortunately, like many other acts, Tinkers Lane has had to cancel or postpone live performances because of the pandemic; even some 2021 dates extending into June had to be canned.    Again let's hope that things will be back to normal come summer and the band can get out on the road once more.

David F. Porfirio advances to the #3 position with "That Night on Bergenline Avenue".  This instrumental is awesomely done and the constant riff on it is keeping it on the upswing in spite of the competition above it.   It forces Jade Bird's "Headstart", still very strong, to the #4 position.    Keeping their bullets, but still only able to hold their positions are Aaron Frazer's "Over You" (#5), Kings of Leon's "The Bandit" (#6, still the #1 Triple-A song this week); Frances Forever's "Space Girl" (#7) and Jersey outfit Bryan Hansen Band's 'Waiting For Tomorrow".   

But the big news is the upward movement of two songs that debuted last week.   Scottish singer Anna Lavigne's "Every Kind of Heaven" jumps from 48 to 10, garnering Impact honors, while Fleet Foxes' "Sunblind" moves from 51 to 12 to get the Mover of the Week award (and also a #37 debut on Triple-A).   While it is possible for either one of these songs to jump to the top next week (which would tie a record for quickest rise to the top), with the strength of the songs ahead of it, it might take a few weeks, but it's just a matter of time.    Both of these songs are awesome!

DEBUTS:  As mentioned above, Øff Guard's "Sincere" leads the debuts, followed by Winnetka Bowling League's "Romantic Way".   The Matthew Koma-led band has been relatively quiet lately, so I had to find a new song to add.   Turns out that this is the only song from their five-song EP Congratulations that I hadn't already added, so here it is.   Koma has performed an acoustic version of the song.   The version on the EP is some emotional power-pop, which some of the recent singles lacked.    Needless to say another winner for the band.

Next is another "Off" band, which has been around for over a quarter of a century, The Offspring, with "Let the Bad Times Roll", the title track from an album to be released in April, their first in nine years.  While the Garden Grove CA band dates back to the mid-1980's and their debut came in 1989, it was 1994 that the band exploded with the aptly-titled Smash.   It yielded two songs in my year-end top 5 for that year, "Come Out and Play" and ""Self Esteem".  The band, along with Green Day, broke through that year and usher in the neo-punk sound.   And while Green Day continued their popularity, Offspring were my favorite of the two, despite having a more checkered career.

The band made my playlist twice in the blog era: 2012's Days Go By yielded the title track  (#30) and "Turning Into You" (#52); 2015's "Coming For You" (#82 but #1 on the mainstream rock chart) was supposed to be included on a new album in 2018 but was delayed until this year's release.    As for the new one, it's a palatable song that, while harkening back to their proto-punk roots, it's got even a ska-ish flair to go along with it's straight-ahead rock.  I always loved this band, in spite of them often repeating themselves.   But this one is different enough to at least grab their first blog-era top 20 spot on my list.   

Next is the latest from Machine Gun Kelly, "My Ex's Best Friend" which sits at #1 on the alternative chart.   Featuring the ever-present Blackbear, it's a mixture of melodic rock with its hip-hop overtones that Kelly has been known for.    The variety is enough to garner a debut here, and should exceed the blog peak of #63 for the big hit "My Bloody Valentine".  

Oneiric is a three-piece Jersey band.  I don't know too much about them, except that some of my Roselle Park friends recommend them and are fans of their page.   Their catalog goes back to 2013, but here, they've released a new single, "The Ride".   The band, at first glance seems to mix prog, folk/acoustic and straight-ahead rock, at least with this song.   No doubt, I'll hear more about them down the road, but "The Ride' is recommended here.

Also added are Chapel Hill DJ/Producer Porter Robinson, making his blog debut with "Look at the Sky", electronica artist Carole's Daughter (real name: Thea Taylor), from Oceanside CA with "Violent", and (Chris) Baio from the band Vampire Weekend, with his second solo blog entry, "Dead Hand Control". 

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

March 7, 2021

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	2	NUMBER ONE: TINKERS LANE "Honey Honey" Album: The Noise is Beautiful	10
2	1	Emily MacMahon - Only Us	10
3	4	David F. Porfirio - That Night on Bergenline Avenue	7
4	3	Jade Bird - Headstart●	16
5	5	Aaron Frazer - Over You	9
6	6	Kings of Leon- The Bandit	7
7	7	Frances Forever - Space Girl	7
8	8	Bryan Hansen Band - Waiting For Tomorrow	8
9	9	The Mystery Lights - It's Alright	15
10	48	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: ANNA LAVIGNE "Every Kind of Heaven" Album: Angels in sandshoes	2
11	10	Surfer Blood - Parkland (Into the Silence)	9
12	51	MOVER OF THE WEEK: FLEET FOXES "Sunblind" Album: Shore	2
13	11	Gwen Stefani - Let Me Reintroduce Myself	13
14	12	Molly Burch ft. Wild Nothing - Emotion	10
15	13	Bakar - 1st Time	17
16	22	Einstein's Dad - OMT	7
17	15	James Hunter Six - I Can Change Your Mind	14
18	20	Kitten  - What Year Are We In	10
19	26	Maybird - Dreamcatcher	6
20	32	Boy Pablo - Hey Girl	4
21	14	Ariel Pink - Crybaby	9
22	25	Illiterate Light ft. Devon Gilfillan - Freedom	8
23	28	Iration - Coastin	8
24	23	Delacey - Unlovable	10
25	30	Future Islands - Plastic Beach	6
26	16	Elise Farnsworth - Pixie Dust	16
27	17	Blake Shelton ft. Gwen Stefani - Happy Anywhere	11
28	29	I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Leave Me Alone	9
29	33	Taylor Swift ft The National - Coney Island	5
30	36	The Weeknd - Save Your Tears	5
31	18	Django Django - Spirals	21
32	19	Shannon Marsyada - The Road	12
33	40	The Avalanches - The Divine Chord	4
34	21	Cannons - Fire For You	12
35	24	Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa - Prisoner	13
36	27	Gia Ness ft Ariel Walton - Across the Universe	15
37	37	Paul McCartney - Find My Way	7
38	39	The Black Keys - Keep My Name Outta Your Mouth	8
39	38	Ed Sheeran - Afterglow	10
40	31	Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky●	25
41	55	Tytillidie - Doomsday	3
42	42	Kjband - Rock Star	9
43	45	Harry Styles - Golden	8
44	47	Cold War Kids - 1 X 1	7
45	34	Morgan Wallen - More Than My Hometown	11
46	52	Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License	4
47	53	Sunflower Bean - Moment in the Sun	6
48	35	Fitz - Head Up High	17
49	46	Glass Animals - Heat Waves	9
50	54	Clairo - Sofia	6
51	61	Midnight Sister - Foxes	3
52	44	Cage the Elephant - Skin and Bones	19
53	43	The Blue Stones - Let It Ride	20
54	81	Babeheaven - Human Nature	3
55	41	Brittany Howard - You'll Never Walk Alone	16
56	59	Beebadoobee - Charlie Brown	4
57	50	Winnetka Bowling League - Congratulations	16
58	---	TOP DEBUT: ØFFGUARD "Sincere" (Single Only)	1
59	49	Chris Stapleton - Cold	18
60	64	The Happy Fits - Hold Me Down	3
61	62	Gracie Abrams - Friend	6
62	65	Two Feet - Think I'm Crazy	5
63	56	ZZ Ward - Giant	13
64	67	Weezer - All My Favorite Songs	6
65	58	The Backseat Lovers - Kilby Girl	33
66	60	The Beths - Mars, the God of War	5
67	57	Peach Tree Rascals - Mariposa	9
68	---	Winnetka Bowling League - Romantic Way	1
69	69	Temples - Paraphenalia	3
70	83	Foo Fighters - Waiting On a War	2
71	63	Awolnation - Radical	7
72	---	The Offspring - Let the Bad Times Roll	1
73	74	Haim ft. Taylor Swift - Gasoline	3
74	82	The Neighbourhood - Stargazing	2
75	---	Machine Gun Kelly ft Blackbear- My Ex's Best Friend	1
76	66	Dayglow  - Close To You	4
77	73	Bleachers ft Bruce Springsteen - Chinatown	4
78	75	Animal Island - We're Already Home	3
79	88	Phoebe Ryan - Fantasy	2
80	---	Oneiric - The Ride	1
81	86	Nathaniel Rateliff - Redemption	2
82	79	Sports Team - Fishing	3
83	80	Echosmith ft. Mat Kearney - Tell Her You Love Her	3
84	68	Surfer Blood - Karen	26
85	72	Black Coffee ft. Maxine Ashley and Sun El Musician - You Need Me	5
86	85	Michigander - Let Down	2
87	84	Nothing Nowhere - Fake Friend	5
88	---	Porter Robinson - Look at the Sky	1
89	71	Baby Strange - More! More! More!	7
90	87	Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over the Country Club	4
91	---	Carole's Daughter - Violent	1
92	70	Fleshtones - Alex Trebek	17
93	76	Wallows - Are You Bored Yet?	10
94	92	Screen Age - Blue Eyed Addiction●	42
95	---	Baio - Dead  Hand Control	1
96	77	The Jacks - Just a Little Bit	7
97	78	Iration - Right Here Right Now	27
98	90	Clean Bandit and Mabel ft 24KGoldn - Tick Tock	6
99	89	The Avalanches - Wherever You Go	19
100	91	New Order - Be A Rebel	20

 

Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week.   ● Songs with 25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲   Songs with 50 or more plays.