South Coast melodic Punks give us their best release to date; a new, emotive and potential chart-bothering long-player!
Brighton-based band Harker are playing various gigs around the UK this autumn, and to accompany this jaunt, Disconnect Disconnect Records have released their new album, ‘All That Remains‘. It was recorded and mixed by Toby May (The Levellers, Wedding Present, CLT DRP) with additional production by Harker themselves. This quartet’s influences range from the likes of Superchunk, Against Me!, The Menzingers and Hot Water Music, so we have a likely idea of what to expect. This impressive 12-track album is being released by Shield Recordings in Europe and Fixing A Hole Records in Japan.
I’ll let vocalist/guitarist, Mark Boniface, explain the inspiration behind this selection of songs: “One of the things I used to do a lot in my 20’s was drive at night. I’d wake up at 3am for no reason, and it would be the only way to calm my head. I think I did it a lot as I felt like I had no one to share my negative thoughts with. I have to acknowledge; I would have had a lot fewer problems if I just spoke to a therapist or a friend. The line ‘stuck between stations’ is a nod to The Hold Steady. Thanks, guys, for always helping me out on the hardest journeys.”
The musicians on this recording are:
Mark Boniface – Guitar / Vocals
Phoebe Saunders – Bass / Vocals
Louis May – Guitar
Matt Claxton – Drums
This soul-bearing album definitely has a 90’s indie rock sound, and the Dischord Records influence is undeniable. The first track is called ‘Violent Delights‘, which has a grunge-like feel. It’s a well recorded song with clear vocals at the forefront, and a nice and catchy harmonised chorus. The mid-section of the song suddenly goes quiet, as Mark sings, “Even the quiet begins to hurt”, before crashing towards a dramatic climax. ‘Redacted‘ was released as a single last year and is about “the past you’d rather forget. Mistakes, regrets, and ‘once-friends’ that haunt you.” It has a very professional sound, as well as a rocking guitar solo. There’s maybe even a Foo Fighters influence?
‘Hell Knows When‘ features Post-punk choppy guitars and a cool lead guitar line. The chorus has a bright sound, bringing to mind a few of those 90’s pop-punk bands doing the rounds back in the day. ‘Last Day On Earth‘ is particularly melodic and poppy, bringing to mind elements of Bob Mould‘s Sugar. This euphoric tune has plenty of light and shade going on, as Mark sings, “I won’t go back in there.” The next song is called ‘I Ruin Everything‘, which is Harker‘s self-described ‘anti-anthem’. It’s self- deprecating and angry, displaying a Punk sound, but still staying melodic.
‘End On End‘ is a reasonably mellow tune and one of the highlights for me. There is plenty of space going on musically, with its fair share of dramatic moments. The band sing, “There’s nothing for you to take”, before a climactic ending into chaos. ‘Back To That’ has a nice groove to it, where subtle guitar lines accompany the bass. Things speed up for ‘No Radio‘, with its raucous vocals that almost reminds me of NOFX. “200 miles without a radio” the band proclaim, in frustration.
‘Playing With A Demon‘ has a Sonic Youth-style guitar intro, and is a melancholic song about dealing with your own mental health, and not fitting in to so-called accepted society. “What the hell is wrong with me?” Mark sings. “I’m sick of playing with a demon”. The new single release from Harker is a song called ‘Dislocation‘ and it’s another album highlight. This track is a well put-together, lively melodic Punk affair, with fuzzy guitars and sun-drenched melodies. It’s essentially a song of hope, and about being there for people with a listening ear when they are struggling in life.
‘Palms‘ is by far the gentlest number on the album, and Harker have produced a song with soul. It’s a pretty song and quite dreamy in its melancholia. Hope, I would say, is also at its core. ‘Athena‘ closes this album on a positive note. Acoustic guitar leads this song, and it will be sure to put a smile on your face.
Harker have put together an impressive album that could even see them hitting the big time. They are really THAT good.
Buy your copy of ‘All That Remains‘ on CD / vinyl / digital download right HERE
See Harker live on tour this autumn:
- 15th October – The Grove, Nottingham
- 16th October – Amped, Huddersfield
- 17th October – One For The Road, York
- 13th November – Hope & Anchor, London
- 17th November – Lady Luck, Canterbury
Main Photo Credit: HARRY BRAYNE
1. Violent Delights
2. Redacted
3. Hell Knows When
4. Last Day On Earth
5. I Ruin Everything
6. End On End
7. Back To That
8. No Radio
9. Playing With A Demon
10. Dislocation
11. Palms
12. Athena
Follow Harker on Their Socials:
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I have been writing reviews for Brighton & Hove News, and more recently Vive Le Rock magazine for a few years now. Previously, I could be spotted playing drums for many a band over the decades. A noisy habit developed whilst wearing short trousers at school, and one that has had me touring around the UK and Europe. Punk rock is my life, but I am also quite eclectic. I am an avid gig go-er and music devourer, and can feel out of sorts if a gig date is not on the horizon. I have also been known to put gigs on myself in order to fill those gaps.
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