The things Trash Boat have managed to achieve during their short time together is nothing but impressive.
For the last year and a half, the St. Albans five piece have been making serious waves taking over the web and shaking up venues with their gnarly brand of heartfelt pop-punk. A sound not too far removed from label mates ROAM, Knuckle Puck or Something to Write Home About era The Get Up Kids. To date the Kerrang! Fresh Blood winners have released two EPs, hit festival stages at the likes of Download and Slam Dunk, all whilst writing their stellar debut album. Nothing I Write Can Change What You’ve Been Through was released this June by the alternative power-house Hopeless Records. A label home to the likes of All Time Low, New Found Glory, The Used, Neck Deep and many others.
Carrying on in the same vein of 2015s Brainwork, the bands signature style of fast paced gritty catchiness is still there. If anything, all those things the lads hold dear are amplified even further. Vocalist Tobi Duncan’s distinctive style of passionate delivery, carries and supports his lyrics in the best of ways. Each line a stark and honest confessional, brought to life through sky-scraping melody and pure emotion. The creative drum work laid down by Oakley Moffatt really is undeniably a driving force behind the album. His super tight and breakneck approach to the kit is evidently reminiscent of Californian punk bands such as Bad Religion, Lagwagon and NOFX. This comes as no surprise, as the principal songwriter has openly stated his love for pop-punk, like many others out there, grew from the playlists of THPS games and his involvement within skateboard culture. Lock him in with bassist James Grayson and you’re left with a rhythm section that is virtually bullet proof. Guitarists Dann Bostock and Ryan Hyslop appear to bounce off one another effortlessly. Interlacing melodies, locking riffs and creating some amazing textures throughout. Whether that be by cutting across each others crunchy jagged palm mutes or lamenting huge chorus chords with reverb drenched single note melodies.
As in any saturated scene, it is always going to be hard to create something that rises above the rest. By adopting such a diverse writing style the band have managed to produce a record that is more than what it may appear to be at first glance. Scratch beneath its surface and you’ll find elements of melodic hardcore on tracks such as How Selfish I Seem; Hum-esque shoegaze dreaminess throughout Things We Leave Behind and straight up shredding punk rock in Pangaea and Eleven. Of course, all the choruses are killer. Album opener Strangers, featuring a guest verse from Dan Campbell of The Wonder Years, has the kind of hooks that’ll keep you awake at night. Not to mention The Guise of a Mother being one of those songs that is impossible to shake. The type of track that has you singing along from the first listen and leaves you humming well after it’s over. Trash Boat have certainly hit the sweet spot with Nothing I Write Can Change What You’ve Been Through. Overall creating a record stacked with unbelievably catchy yet conscious material.
You can find Trash Boat’s debut album online, on digital and on vinyl.
(Words: Brett Baker)
