Medusa Complex
San Antonio, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2019 | INDIE
Music
Press
After moving to San Antonio four years ago to attend art school, singer and guitarist Javier "Javi" Pena started writing songs for a band he would assemble in 2019 called Medusa Complex.
Now, the trio — comprised of Pena, bassist David "Grotto" Lizarraga and drummer Jared Felan — is now ready to drop an EP called Dissociation early next year. A release show for will take place at Imagine Books on Friday, January 4.
If the rest of the EP is as good as the two songs so far posted online — “Scared of Sleep” and “Growing Pains” — Dissociation might be one of the best releases coming out of Saytown to channel ‘90s, second-wave emo.
And when we say "emo," we're not talking about whiny, pop-punk songs, Hot Topic jewelry, Good Charlotte shirts and side-swiped bangs. We mean jangly guitar riffs, fierce punk drumming and vocals that vacillate between yelling and singing.
Medusa Complex has drawn comparisons to bands like Cap'n Jazz and Pageninetynine, which came out of emo's second wave. But, while it captures that era’s sound, the band still has its own identity.
“This EP is about struggling with depression and anxiety — things like that,” said Pena, who adds that the songs were written when he first moved to San Antonio and needed an outlet for his feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In true emo form, “Scared of Sleep” opens with a melodic, major-key guitar riff before drums, bass and vocals shift things into a more anguished vibe. Emotional as fuck, the song is full of clever dynamic and engaging melodies that draw listeners deeper into the band’s dreamy depression.
“Growing Pains” pivots around happy-sounding riffs while carrying an undertone of uneasiness and regret. Watch the lyric video the song below to see what we mean. - San Antonio Current
Discography
Dissociation
Photos
Bio
An Emo/Punk outfit formed in San Antonio TX. Comprised of three individuals who share a passion for writing music and sharing it with the people who are willing to hear them out. Music is an avenue for them to tell their stories. Express their thoughts. Vent to the void. It's a place that makes sense in such a chaotic world.
Forming in 2019 gigging under the name Medusa Complex. Playing locals shows in bars, garages and records stores all around the San Antonio area. They came up with enough material to cut an EP. So they reached out to a friend at Lights Out Studio and recorded Dissociation. Their first EP as Medusa Complex. They released Dissociation on Saturday January 4th 2020. The EP has been received well from peers and music journalist Chris Conde from the "San Antonio Current". They have been gigging consistently since, and are looking forward to the next opportunity.
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