“Banana Riot!” was the rallying cry shouted by guitarist/vocalist Bennett Mains and drummer Miqah Mayhem as the twosome debuted their new band at the Bunkhouse Saloon. Expectations were high due to the pedigree of the members involved – Miqah’s The Quitters and Bennett’s Holding Onto Sound never fail to put on great shows – and the new Banana Riot project carries that same energy and stage presence we’ve come to expect.
Sound-wise, the obvious comparison is going to be to Mains’ work with Holding Onto Sound, as his vocal styling is unique and unmistakable. But there is definitely enough to differentiate the projects to the trained ear. Banana Riot is much more of a straight forward punk rock band than HOTS in terms of sound, foregoing the occasional hip hop beat and reggae upstroke and replaced with some of the most in your face, intense punk rock you’ll hear this year. I don’t know what the band has planned for the future, but their debut succeeded in getting my curiosity piqued.
-Emily Matview | https://www.flickr.com/photos/holdfastnow/
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