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By: Bryan Borzykowski
Dallas Green can no longer lay claim to being the only Alexisonefire member to go solo. With the release of Black Lungs’ Send Flowers, guitarist Wade MacNeil has officially ventured beyond his screamo band’s borders, becoming a bona fide singer/songwriter in his own right.
This isn’t acoustic pop à la Green, though. MacNeil’s tunes are dark and introspective – he sings about death, hell and loss – but they’re also understated, somewhat lo-fi and generally catchy. MacNeil’s scratchy wails sound a lot like Dave Grohl, and the music is in the same Foo Fighters vein. It’s not as radio-friendly as his axe wielding counterpart’s records, but it’s a decent first effort. - Now Magazine
Discography
Send Flowers - Dine Alone Records (2008)
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Bio
Inspired by such wide-ranging influences as folk, punk, classical, soul and country,
Black Lungs crafts fiercely literate lyrics and strikingly uncomplicated melodies with a
raw intensity that comes from the heart and hits the listener point blank in the chest.
Black Lungs architect, Wade MacNeil, is no stranger to the music scene. In addition to
extensive touring all over the world, MacNeil has earned a #1 debut on the Top 200
Soundscan, 2 Platinum records, 1 Gold record, and a JUNO for New Group of the Year
as vocalist and guitarist of Alexisonfire.
Black Lungs originated when MacNeil found himself amassing a collection of songs so
introspective and personal, he wanted to sing them himself. Drawing inspiration from
the likes of Billy Bragg, MacNeil seamlessly weaves folk sentimentality with punk
ideology. While the studio album features Ian Romano (Attack in Black) on drums and
old-friend Sammi Bogdanski on piano, MacNeil recruits a revolving line-up of likeminded
musicians-friends including members of Alexisonfire, Attack in Black, Cancer Bats and
Moneen when taking Black Lungs on the road.
On Hold Fast, the first single from the album, MacNeil delivers a nostalgic message
with anthemic conviction. On the track Fire and Brimstone, MacNeil croons provoking
lyrics Will you let me go to hell however I choose
juxtaposed by strings and classical
piano lines.
Black Lungs is the soundtrack for punk rockers, hip hoppers, pill poppers, young ladies
and show stoppers offering something for every disenfranchised music lover. Far
removed from the attacking sounds of his band Alexisonfire, MacNeils crude guitar
lines and harsh whiskey-drowned vocals lend a new complexity to traditional 4-chord
punk.
Black Lungs debut album Send Flowers will be released May 20, 2008 on Dine Alone
Records.
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