Just Die!

Sunday (tomorrow), we are coming for you.

We play back to back set’s with TORCH RUNNER.  Let’s do this.

Sluggos 6:45

not only to raise some funds to fix our van and manufacture some CDs, but also in hopes to promote our new album, A Momentary Lapse in Positive Thinking.

We have gone into the project with optimistic skepticism.  However, being only 4 days into the project, we have already raised over half of the money needed. 

Bands seem to get a lot of negative criticism/response towards using Kickstarter to fund projects.  You get people saying “That isn’t punk rock!” or “Why should people GIVE you money?!” or “My band never did this, we actually work hard.” or “Stop BEGGING for money!”. Well, we want everyone to know that we pour every ounce of sweat and money (up until this project) that we can into this band, going on 5 years now.  We figured this could be a cool way to offer limited edition merch and records including:

• A Momentary Lapse in Positive Thinking Screen Printed LP
• A Momentary Lapse in Positive Thinking CD pre-order
• Limited Edition Windbreaker
• Limited Edition Hoodie
• Limited Edition T-Shirt

We are offering great JUST DIE! swag for your hard earned $$$.

So if you or anyone that you think would be into this, please head over to the kickstarter here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/poetryslamasheville/just-die-needs-to-be-with-you-on-more-than-vinyl

Thanks so much, Just Die!

We are going into our 3rd day of our KICKSTARTER campaign and we have already reached $622.  This means so much to us.  Please keep spreading the word.  Also, if you have any extra cash and want some limited edition JUST DIE! swag, hit the link below.  Thanks!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/poetryslamasheville/just-die-needs-to-be-with-you-on-more-than-vinyl

Just Die! plays a perfect blend of punk, rock n’ roll, skate rock, and pretty much every other label under the sun. “A Momentary Lapse In Positive Thinking” is the group’s newest release, released by Work In Shadows: Transmissions and Self-Aware records. This is one of the most interesting albums I’ve heard in quite a while. One moment it shares tendencies with 80’s hardcore, the next with early Dischord groups, then to throw you completely off it’ll veer toward Paint It Black. Never does it feel like there’s too much going on though, which is very important. After listening to individual tracks it almost seems like a different group for each one but a few more times listening to “A Momentary Lapse In Positive Thinking” is a complete, well done piece of art.

The album kicks off with the highly energetic “Dead Horse”, a fifty second punk rock assault. Right off the bat, the guitar sounds terrific and the overall the production keeps the dirty rock n’ roll sound but makes it crisp and clean. “I’ll Be Damned” continues in this vein. The title track, “A Momentary Lapse In Positive Thinking,” is, for me, the stand out. It goes with the first two tracks, style wise, but adds in a layer of the more experimental, alternative flavoring the latter half of the album has. It’s a great listen.

“Impossible” is where the album gets a bit different. I can’t really get behind the backing “Ohs” but even with that small complaint, the number is still damn good. It keeps “A Momentary Lapse In Positive Thinking” rolling and original.

“Play The Hero” reverts back to the first couple tracks with a crisp, furious feel. It transitions perfectly into the next number “War Memorial.” This is perhaps the heaviest track and one of my favorites. Around the forty second mark, the speed and intensity is pushed into overdrive.

“Did I Ever” (Stand By Me) gives the listener a melodic hardcore track, reminiscent of Paint It Black – with an 80’s edge. “Rest Of My Life” gels with the previous one, keeping with that melodic approach. The one thing I admire about Just Die! Is the lyrics. They are very well written and with the music paint very clear images.

“Straight To Voice Mail” picks the tempo back up with a pale thrashy sound. I find myself gravitating to the more faster tracks but there isn’t a loser in the bunch.

“These Words”, the album’s closer, puts everything in a blender – punk, rock n’ roll, Dischord emo, and some hardcore - and produces another melodic piece, one that’s a fitting end.
I really enjoyed the album, given that it’s not the usual metallic hardcore or neo-folk I find myself listening to. There is a limited number of vinyl available so do yourself a favor and buy this. If you like any of the mentioned groups, Just Die! Will be right up your alley. [Work In Shadows: Transmissions] - Total War

Asheville North Carolina has two things that I know about. First there is a McDonalds there that could be on an episode of MTV Cribs. Then there is a band of boyish men called Just Die! Despite the jarring name of the band I happen to know these guys are into shit like wizards, playing emo music, and probably crying.

What we have here is a situation very similar to Captain Planet and the Planeteers. Just Die! is made up of a bunch of strange people to combine into a crushing musical superhero. The song structures seem to be built around Kwame like guitarist Matt Evans thrashing and riffs. Dave and a new guy fill out the bass and drums around Evans shredding, but much like Wheeler and Linka they add their own touch to each track. However the most important part of this four piece, the effeminate Ma-Ti if you will, comes in the form of singer Steve Shell. Just like Ma-Ti, Shell is seemingly the heart of the band shown through his lyrics and intensity.

This is the third release from Just Die! and shows the band continuing to evolve their sound. This time around they sound a little bit dirtier and thrashier at moments. Then they will follow up with a very melodic track without the singing vocals. The latter is becoming my favored version of Just Die!. Tracks like “Impossible” with its awesome woah parts and the albums closer “These Words” are my easy favorites on this album.

I’m not real sure who to compare these guys to anymore. I used to say they fell somewhere between Sick Of It All and Kid Dynamite, but I don’t even know anymore. It’s still hardcore and it’s still awesome though. This band really needs the attention they deserve, unfortunately this horrible review isn’t going to help. Check them out here on Stereokiller. The last I checked they had this whole album up for stream. -Dan Craley, stereokiller.com