The Seattle labels Den Tapes and Bomb Pop Records are teaming up to release a new Ramona/Hard Sulks split EP tomorrow, and there’s plenty of pop-punk to love here. Ramona is a Seattle-based trio that got their start in Boston, where the band’s guitarist/vocalist Diego and bassist/vocalist Abby went to college. They report that the songs on the EP first appeared as “a demo for an older band”, but that the two kept playing them even after relocating to the West Coast and hooking up with their current drummer Shannon. Feeling that the tracks needed a “proper recording and a proper release”, they’ve hooked up with their friends, the Portland-based group Hard Sulks, for this split EP.
On “Let’s Talk About Feelings“, Diego and Abbey trade their negative emotions with brash and bratty aplomb. Superficial apologies and jealousy might whip this track into a frenzy of bad feelings, but the band sure knows how to sugar coat them with upbeat and infectious energy. Hard Sulks are bumming too on “Moaning Myrtle“, but it’s a more down turned and introspective trip. Even with that said, though, this band is more than capable of putting the mope aside to rock out in a sing-along chorus of bitter recrimination sure to turn your frown upside down!
Don’t miss the Ramona/Hard Sulks Release Party at the Vera Project in Seattle this Saturday night. Doors are at 8 pm, and you can grab tickets via this Facebook post about the event.
