The Blushing Gun
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"The Blushing Gun EP Review"

Article By Chris Brach

It was almost exactly a year ago that The Blushing Gun graced the airwaves of Rocksposure Radio for the first time when we featured them in an edition of SoundCheck. Fast forward to April 2012, and thanks to their recently completed EP, you’ll find them in the Rocksposure headlines again. This time they’ve earned themselves the much deserved status: Artist of the Month.

The Blushing Gun is a fitting and unique name for these five guys out of Illinois, but in a lot of ways it also accurately describes their music. Their new self titled EP is absolutely packed with emotion. Some of it is soft spoken and timid while other aspects are raw and powerful. Having enjoyed their previous EP, I was far from surprised at the capabilities of The Blushing Gun; I was already more than familiar with how they like to deliver their brand of rock. Everything about their music has always been well produced, played, and recorded. That being said, the striking growth within the EP’s six songs is astounding for a band that was already playing at such an incredible level.

Similar to last month’s Artist of the Month District Somnium, The Blushing Gun have put together a complex sound that is built around a number of different instruments and tempos. You’ll be immersed in instrumental diversity from the very beginning as some out of the norm instruments evoke and enhance the true character within the songs: horns in “Demimondaine” proclaim the EP is open for business, the end of “Bleeding Fingertips” is accentuated with bells, and the strings in “King God Inc” add a feeling of discontent within its chorus. All of these extra nuances push the self titled EP beyond what the traditional guitars and drums ever could.

The spirited, quick tune “Demimondaine” will be the first track that finds your speakers when you press play. Dominated by screaming horns and Athan Mireles’ drums, “Demimondaine” kicks the door open with its one of a kind style and flair. The pace is quick and the song is extremely catchy; it’ll be in your head long after you’ve ventured on to other parts of the EP.

“Delicate” delves into the internal struggle of an on-again off-again relationship. “Baby I’m tired of trying” cries lead singer Ian Moore as he breaks free of his somber tones and those laid down by Jesse Wagner’s piano during the early part of the track; all while he battles the internal struggle of whether it’s worth heading down that same old road again. Nicholas McClelland’s bass slowly thumps along almost painting a picture of Moore pacing the floor in agony over the decision he’s sorting out. As the tension within the lyrics builds, the track becomes a duet as Derick Kaptiena’s guitar follows Moore up and down the scale through the choruses. In a lot of ways, the two seem to fuse together better than some duets with two singers do. It’s reminiscent of a technique you’d hear on some of Santana’s recent radio hits.

Another unique approach that The Blushing Gun employed on the EP has to do with the final mix of “Bleeding Fingertips”. While there are lyrics through most of the song, the guitars are clearly more audible than the slightly tuned down vocals. Not to take away from what Moore’s vocals add to the song, but the guitar work is so strong and has enough personality that they probably could have pulled this track off as an instrumental if they wanted to. This is one of the best examples I’ve seen to date of a band building a signature sound around the strengths uncovered during their writing/recording process. With a guitar track this vibrant, why bury it within the melody of the song? If you’ve got it, flaunt it!

“Sadie and Max” and “King God Inc” pull in a more authoritative stance musically. A tale of volatile romance, “Sadie and Max” storms along thanks to Moore’s passion filled vocals and Mireles’ drums. Not to be missed is Kaptiena’s Frusciante-esque solo that brings in the close of the song. It’s smooth, tempered, and dialed into the vibe of “Sadie and Max”. “King God Inc” is the band’s anti-establishment song on the record that includes a memorable duel guitar solo in the middle. Their band bio ends: “ Someday, we all may get some guts, stop blushing, fight back, and fix our world.” This song embodies that mindset.

“Major Minor” brings a slow wrap to the EP, taking the opposite stance of the opener. McClelland’s bass bumps the song along at a modest pace while Wagner’s keyboards lay down some nice effects. There’s even room for Moore to let out one last round of powerfully delivered lyrics before the EP drifts off to a close. It's a fitting end to the emotional journey that you just experienced known as The Blushing Gun. - Rocksposure.com


Discography

Nothing in the Sun (EP) - 2011
Streamed on Last.fm, Spotify, Hamilton Radio, & more
Available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, & more

School
Weakness
You; Nothing in the Sun
Strangers
How Did I Become the Cynical One
Luna Sea

The Blushing Gun (EP) - 2012
Streamed on Last.fm, Spotify, Hamilton Radio, & more
Available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, & more

King God Inc.
Bleeding Fingertips
Sadie & Max
Delicate
Demimondaine
Major Minor

Photos

Bio

The Blushing Gun is a 3 piece Alternative/Indie rock group from northwestern Illinois. In 2008, under the name of Drunk Dead Gorgeous, the band had 4 Grammy Award nominations in 3 categories including Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Pop Instrumental Performance, and Best Rock Song. After a change in members and shift in band focus, the core members of DDG reformed as The Blushing Gun. With an increased intensity and intent, TBG has continued to pioneer while maintaining their award nominated form.

"We are the collective conscience of our generation. The generation who knows love is getting weaker and weaker just as fast as technology advances. A name for the souls who sit and ponder of religions, science and nature and know they are all connected, and humankind is missing the big picture. We have all the knowledge and secrets within us… someday, we all may get some guts, stop blushing, fight back, and fix our world." - The Blushing Gun

The Blushing Gun is comprised of Ian Moore, Nicholas McClelland and Athan Mireles. Ian leads the band with his unique and captivating voice, and mature acoustic and electric guitar stylings. Nick gives the music a great foundation with his mixing and big bass lines. The smooth yet powerful beats from Athan on drums rounds out this trio. The band's diversity has allowed them to share the stage with national acts such as Papa Roach, Chevelle, Hinder, In this Moment, Black Stone Cherry, The Venetia Fair, Boy Hits Car, Exotic Animal Petting Zoo, and many more. Even in this vast array of genres, The Blushing Gun never ceases to leave the crowd in awe of their sound and musicality.

In 2012, The Blushing Gun released their 2nd EP. The self-titled EP was recorded at Radiostar Studios in Weed, CA and produced by Sylvia Massy (TOOL, Johnny Cash, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, & more). "Everything about their music has always been well produced, played, and recorded. That being said, the striking growth within the EP’s six songs is astounding for a band that was already playing at such an incredible level." - Chris Bach, Rocksposure.

The sky is the limit for TBG in 2013 with new music to be heard, new venues to be played, and new fans to be made.