Tag: Ed Sertage

Carpe Diem — Absentees Emit Powerhouse Punk Sound on “All the Hertz: Volume 1” EP

Brandon Manoyian, Tony Dunn, Matt Gawne, and John Quillen of Absentees. Courtesy photo.

Absentees pack a large sonic punch on All the Hertz: Volume 1.

The Detroit band features turbocharged instrumentation and explosive vocals on its latest EP.

“We just left it at that,” said Matt Gawne, a vocalist-guitarist for Absentees.

“We did it live. We recorded a second guitar, and then we recorded the vocals. [Engineer-producer] Jon-Mikal [Bartee] came over to my place with a bunch of microphones, and he just set up where we were. It was awesome for him and awesome for us.”

All the Hertz: Volume 1 is an awesome experience for listeners as well. While it’s only 16 minutes long, the punk EP’s scorching electric guitars, thumping bass, and thunderous drums energize fans across seven tracks.

“It all came out great, thanks to Jon-Mikal [Bartee], too,” said John Quillen, the band’s drummer. “He put a nice touch on it, and he knew what we wanted to go with. He gave us a sound with a more modern recording.”

In addition to its edgy sound, All the Hertz: Volume 1 covers a variety of themes, ranging from trauma to toxic jobs to new relationships.

“The most emotional song I’ve ever written is ‘Sensational,’ said Tony Dunn, a vocalist-guitarist for Absentees.

“It’s about somebody close to me who tried taking their own life, and fortunately, is still here. I’ve never written anything that personal … and I think it really shows on that song. Usually, I make up stories, but every now and then, I give a little piece of [me].

Now, Absentees continue to evolve their punk sound with Brandon Manoyian, the band’s new bassist.

“I play on a five-string bass, and I come from another band that plays in a lower tuning,” he said. “Playing with John and playing with everybody else, it’s been a different, but phenomenal experience, and everything flows and goes together.”

I recently spoke with Absentees about their latest EP ahead of a December 6 show at The Rex Theater in Morenci, Michigan.

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Uncharted Waters – Rob Zinck & The Collaborators Channel the Past and Navigate the Future on ‘Swim or Sink’ Album

rob-zinck
Rob Zinck & The Collaborators embark on an introspective journey that runs from childhood in Alaska to fatherhood in Michigan to thirtysomething life in the future on “Swim or Sink.” Photo courtesy of Rob Zinck

Rob Zinck & The Collaborators boldly channel the past while navigating the future on Swim or Sink.

That refreshing mindset flows through the Detroit power trio’s new album, which features 11 tracks that aim to wipe the slate clean and search for internal peace in an iron-fisted world.

“The first nine songs loosely tell the story of finding myself in a particular place, examining how I got here and then fixing my eyes on the path I want to take in the future,” said Zinck, the band’s vocalist, guitarist and songwriter.

“It travels through different times and places in my life trying to figure out how I can be the best version of myself possible and a positive force in the lives of people I care about. The last two tracks deal with the fact that finding yourself doesn’t change the world, which is uncertain and oppressive and doesn’t afford all people the same privileges.”

Alongside bandmates Dan Radlick (bass) and Phil Giannotta (drums), Zinck embarks on an introspective journey that runs from childhood in Alaska to fatherhood in Michigan to thirtysomething life in the future.

“I think most of us experience a similar sense of uncertainty when our 20s start to wane and our 30s approach. We start to feel like we’re supposed to be whatever our vision of an adult is, but we’re afraid we’ll lose the passion that defines our youth,” said Zinck, who shares those thoughts against a backdrop of punk, alt-rock and indie-rock instrumentation.

“Reconciling that feeling is definitely a theme of this record. We’re all searching for ourselves in an uncertain world, and I don’t think that searching should ever fully end. By the time track nine [‘You Then Me’] fades out, I’ve found enough of the person I want to be that can move on with a life that feels meaningful rather than stagnant.”

I recently spoke with Zinck about growing up in Alaska, moving to Michigan, meeting his bandmates, dissecting songs from Swim or Sink, using field recordings, writing and recording the album, preparing for a Nov. 18 album release show and winding down this winter.

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