Style: Classic Punk/Working Man's Punk
Albums: "Hands Up EP", "Pilgrim"
From: Durham, NC
For Fans Of: The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, Fugazi, Against Me!, The Hold Steady, and Jawbreaker.
If you want a band that really defines today's music scene in North Carolina, it's Red Collar.
I hate saying the typical comparison of "Red Collar is like Fugazi fronted by Springsteen" for two reasons. 1) It makes them seem like they are one of the many bands jumping on the "lets sound like Springsteen" bandwagon and 2) Red Collar does what Fugazi nor Springsteen could do; which is creating consistently well rounded sound and attitude.
Fugazi is rough and edgy and Springsteen has (had) the working man's voice. Red Collar not only has something to say, but when they say it through their music it is incredibly well rounded. So, to avoid throwing Red Collar in specific categories that very few NC bands seem to be able to fit in, I'm going to say that Red Collar is the perfect soundtrack to a 9-5 job.
When you go to a Red Collar show (and you need to, more on that down the line) you can see that these people love what they are doing. They feel called to play music, for them, it is a release from the rat race.
Their debut album released this year, titled "Pilgrim," flows like a 9-5 job and an entire life. "Commuter" opens with a sound resonating early excitement and passion with an eagerness to tackle what is ahead. It continues throughout the album flowing towards restlessness by the time it gets to the title track in the middle. Finally, the album flows towards frustration and defeat.
While the lyrics about hardships endured in a blue-collar world may seem depressing, there is an incredibly optimistic cheer in the songs. The general feeling is "this job (or lack of) may be getting me down, but at least I'll get through it through the help of music." And that's what Red Collar does.
Moving beyond "Pilgrim" (produced by Brian Paulson - Wilco, Beck, Superchunk, etc) and the fact the band is releasing it on vinyl, I must focus on the live show.
I have had many conversations with Jason Kutchma (guitar & lead vocals) where he talked about how, for them, the album is the musical promotion for a show. The band wants you to come out to a show and become a contributor. Beyond the fact they put on a constantly energetic (even for three people in the audience) show, the band values its audience members.
As one of the most notoriously kind bands in the Triangle, Red Collar wants to share what they have to say. They want to help you relieve that 9-5 stress with a fantastic rock show so anthemic it can give you an euphoric out-of-body experience similar to that of a tribal seance.
In addition, they don't pack up their stuff and leave as soon as they get off stage. The band hangs around to chat before and after the show in order to get to know those around them.
Even if your preferred music is silence, I can guarantee you will have a fantastic experience at a Red Collar show.
Below you can download "Pilgrim" and "Used Guitars" for your listening pleasure. Just be sure to catch them at a show when they come around!!
Pilgrim
Used Guitars
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