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Plunket are a band that is hugely welcomed as the clouds come down and the winter draws in ever closer, as they bring forth their brand of good time happy summer rock, letting you close your eyes whilst huddling next to your heater, and for a while you could be on a Californian beach watching babes in string-bikinis bounce by.
Hailing from a not-so-sunny place of Chicago, Illinois, Plunket are a five-piece power/pop/punk band, with a fun-loving attitude and bucket-full's of energy. 'All We've Got Is This' is the band's first album that was recorded in February-March this year, after the band had played in excess of 300 shows as well as 3 'Gas Money' EP's that sold over 1,000 each.
First song, 'Stay Tuned' has thumping drums that are slightly dulled out, before the song jumps to life with the keyboards and guitar that intertwine in a melodic dance, setting the scene as to what we can expect. Melodies, harmonies and hooks are the secret here, as with next song, 'Picking Up Pennies' another song that has chugging punk guitar riffs but a melody on the keyboards that gives it a more upbeat feel. "I'll even wish on shooting stars // even though it's so cliché" sings Chris Samsa, and in truth there are pop/punk things that are clichéd with Plunket, but that's not always a bad thing if it is done well. This song is a little like the band Homegrown, but better and that's the key.
After a couple of listens to this album I was thinking of similarities with the band Army Of Freshmen (who are phenomenal live by the way), and so it is of no surprise that when I mentioned this to singer Chris, he pointed out that the album was produced by Mike Milligan (AOF drummer), and there are also appearances of other band members on other songs including 'Baby Steps' - which is the first single off of the album - which features AOF vocalist Chris Jay. The song has hints of Simple Plan with keyboards, and so is pure straight up pop/punk, which takes us to the great, 'The Door Is That Way' which starts slow with piano keys tinkering along, and builds up into fast-tempo number.
Although Plunket are a pop/punk band, it is worth noting that they are slightly different from the normal run-of-the-mill bands that cropped up in the Blink/Green Day mould, as Plunket are not one of these. There are sometimes the echoes of emo in the background as the lyrics are more than 'I love you's' etc. In 'My Final Bow' we hear, "I'm sick and tired of smoke and mirrors // It's all come clear // abracadabra has no place here // I'm pulling rabbits out of hats // But I'm running out of tricks // This magic show is wearing thin // Close the curtain now // I'll take my final bow //It's time for my last grand exit". Great stuff.
Surrounding Joe's chunky guitar riff, 'Postage Stamps On Polaroids' is a real foot-tapper, whilst 'Let's Go Out Tonight' could be Army Of Freshmen, and we hear about hiding behind make up in, 'Break Your Mirror'. 'Sing To Me' is a little like Allister but without being heavily driven by guitars, and with Tom's synthesizer that sounds a little like bag pipes in this one, and I can't make up my mind whether I like it or not! The song is catchy which is no surprise as the chorus is, "I'm a sucker for a melody // in my ear so sing to me // something so catchy // and maybe you can catch me // We're like left and right in your stereo // so baby don't leave me all alone".
'All We've Got Is This' finishes with the strong, 'Calling Myself Out', and although the pop/punk genre can easily be dismissed by some as unoriginal and unimaginative, with 'All We've Got...', you have a band that has some well constructed happy songs for the summer. This upbeat and feelgood music has been underrated for far too long, and even more amazing than anything above here, is the fact that Plunket are still unsigned! I'm still at a loss with words as to why this might be. So, guys, if all you've got is this, then surely it won't be long before someone realises that this is all you need. - Jim Ody, Roomthirteen.com
Discography
All We've Got Is This (2007)
Break Your Mirror EP (2005)
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Bio
Plunket is a high-energy, keyboard-based, fun-loving, hard-working, pop-rock band based in the suburbs of Chicago. Over hyphenated, long winded descriptions aside, Plunket boils down to one thing: fun.
Hailing from just outside Chicago, Illinois (Darien, Downers Grove, and Woodridge to be exact), Plunket has seen many friends and colleagues become successful in the music industry during their 4 year tenure. They’ve decided that it’s their time to step up and take the reigns. After nearly 300 shows, 3 “gas money EPs” selling out at 1,000 copies each and trips to every corner of the country, they’ve decided to knock themselves into high gear and really get things rolling.
In the spring of 2007 Plunket traveled to sunny Southern California to make the album of their dreams with producer Mike Milligan at the helms. “It was a great experience, we had done a bit of pre-production out there about a year prior to our current trip and we knew that the environment and the setting would be ideal to come out to record.” Singer and guitarist Chris Samsa, 21 said.
“It’s a different world, there’s a lot of positive, fun energy, as compared to the dreary winters of Chicago. We love being from Chicago, but coming completely out of our element to write and put these songs down on tape really brought out the best in us.” He continued.
There’s one thing that Plunket surely has shown; persistence. As they were preparing for the recording of their upcoming release, All We’ve Got Is This, they had their longtime drummer pull the rug out from under them and leave the band. The remaining members didn’t let it drag them down, and they immediately called longtime friend, Jaysen Vana to fill the void. They worked mostly 8-10 hour days, 6 days a week in their practice space, and they held their commitment to record the album in California early in 2007.
With Jaysen came the addition of Joey Saguto, adding depth, talent and energy to Plunket’s live performances, Joey has certainly been a second breath of fresh air into Plunket’s overall presence and persona.
This change in lineup has lit the fire under Plunket, as they are pulling out all the stops. Along with the independant release of their album will come the release of their first fully-produced music video for their first single, “Baby Steps.” they’ll also be hitting the road in their road-ready, self-converted short bus. “We don’t want to be home. Every night that I can spend a half an hour on stage with my best friends having the time of my life is a good night in my book. If we’re in a new place, helping new people have a good time every night, that’s the life right there if you ask me.” Keyboardist and vocalist, Tom Tiede, 21 said. “Our goal every night is to give people a good time, even if just for a half an hour.”
It’s clear that Plunket plans on bringing themselves and others a good time for a long time to come.
Plunket’s new album, “All We’ve Got Is This” is available through the band at shows, on iTunes, or on smartpunk.com, where it debuted in the top 100.
Plunket recently played with The Plain White T's as well as Quiet Drive while their songs were strong on the top 40 radio charts. At their show with the Plain White T's they sold CDs to nearly 10% of the sold out crowd.
ENDORSEMENTS:
Plunket has endorsements from DDRUM, Knucklehead Strings, Dirty Shirty Clothing, Full Armor Clothing, and Pierced Clothing. These endorsments include Plunket's news and tourdates being included in web updates as well as future print opportunities.
BOOKING:
Plunket's tours are booked by Ryan Doyle of Hatchback Booking.
Email: RJDProductions@yahoo.com
Ph: (716) 481 4085
For local and spot-booking opportunies, e-mail: plunketbooking@gmail.com or call (630)660-9431
TOUR PLANS
Plunket is embarking on a 10 day run of their favorite cities in November before staying home and doing some major holiday-time shows in the Chicago area, and then heading out on full-scale national tour in early January. Their tentitive routing is below.
Tentitive national tour routing:
TH 1/10/08-Indianapolis, IN
FR 1/11/08-Detroit, MI
SA 1/12/08-Toledo, OH
SU 1/13/08-Cleveland, OH
MO 1/14/08-OFF
TU 1/15/08-Erie, PA
WE 1/16/08-Buffalo, NY
TH 1/17/08-Rochester, NY
FR 1/18/08-Albany, NY
SA 1/19/08-Pittsfield, MA
SU 1/20/08-Boston, MA
MO 1/21/08-OFF
TU 1/22/08-New York, NY
WE 1/23/08-Philidelphia, PA
TH 1/24/08-Baltimore, MD
FR 1/25/08-Richmond, VA
SA 1/26/08-Raleigh, NC
SU 1/27/08-Charleston, SC
MO 1/28/08-Jacksonville, FL
TU 1/29/08-Tallahassee, FL
WE 1/30/08-New Orleans, LA
TH 1/31/08-Houston, TX
FR 2/1/08-San Antonio, TX
SA 2/2/08-Austin, TX
SU 2/3/08-Denton, TX
MO 2/4/08-Las Cruces, NM
TU 2/5/08-Phoenix, AZ
WE 2/6/08-Las Vegas, NV
TH 2/7/08-Los Angeles, CA
FR 2/8/08-Bakersfield, CA
SA 2/9/08-Sacramento, CA
SU 2/10/08-Salt Lake City, UT
MO 2/11/08-Cheyenne, WY
TU 2/12/08-Lincoln, NE
WE 2/13/08-Omaha, NE
TH 2/14/08-Chicago, IL
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