Hangtime
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
I guess you can't blame me for approaching a pop-punk album with a certain amount of trepidation, what with so many clones, reruns, and Warped Tour wannabes running amok. True, there is a small contingent who are taking their cues from thoroughly respectable innovators like the Buzzcocks, Descendents, and of course the Ramones, but when it comes to "popcore" revivalism, we don't see many current bands offering a grateful wink and a nod to the likes of the Doughboys, Punchbuggy and Big Drill Car. Be it a deliberate gesture on their part or not, Toronto's Hangtime strike me as four gents catering to that very niche I speak of - and they sound like they're having a flabbergastingly great time at it to boot. On Plug In, this exemplary quartet pummel through thirteen saccharine avalanches of overwhelming, power-chord splendor, infusing more melody into any given song than lesser bands can hope to eek out over the course of an entire album. If I had to sweat it down to one suspect whom Hangtime sound like they should be spending spending some serious "hangtime" with (couldn't resist, sorry) I'd put my money on All Systems Go! a now defunct spinoff band featuring all-stars from the aforementioned Doughboys and Big Drill Car. Inspirational inclinations aside, Plug In is a barreling powder keg of fun, sincerity and guts, of which you can sample "Sycamore St." and "Locomotion" below. It's available digitally through the usual suspects: iTunes, Emusic, and Amazon, and you can get the CD from Interpunk.
I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that Hangtime's Warren and Rick are alumni of Shortfall, a likeminded precursor that I've featured in a previous entry. Check their long out of print Hooray for Everything disk here.
https://rapidshare.com/files/473320506/hangtime.rar - Wilfully Obscure
Discography
Hangtime - "Plug in"
Full length 13 track CD Released June 2010
Photos
Bio
Out of the ashes of one of Toronto’s most promising Pop Punk bands “Shortfall” comes four seasoned musicians now under the name Hangtime who are determined to fulfill their passions for writing, recording and performing music. With having such diverse individual musical influences, the members have managed to create a sound that’s overflowing with slick melodic vocals while retaining a hard-edged guitar driven punk pop sound.
Two of the founding members of Shortfall and now Hangtime; Rick Burns (Vocals/Guitar) and Warren Gregson (Vocals/Guitar) have individually sharpened their Melodic Punk song writing and performance skills to the point where great opportunities are sure to arrive following the band’s latest recording.
They have continued their pursuit alongside the rhythm talents of Dan Scicchitano (Bass) and Jack Cavacece (Drums) who've helped take their song writing formulas to impressive new levels in this fresh new band.
Their current full length debut release “Plug in” was recorded from April – June 2010 at the landmark Wellesley Sound Studios in Toronto. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by veteran award winning producer Jeff McCulloch.
Initial reactions to "Plug In" have been nothing but amazing. Songs like Locomotion and I Was Wrong steer towards pop and punk while Remain, Good for You, and The End tread on more of a rock and punk sound, thus, creating the perfect blend of the three genres.
After years of individual recording and touring, they are now ready to satisfy old fans and win over new Hangtime fans. Enjoy.
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