We regularly hear about new bands that balance the early days of emo with post-hardcore coming from either the Northeast or the Midwest. There’s always the odd exception of course, like Torrance’s very own Joyce Manor, but there’s still a general lack of representation coming from the West Coast. Consider Chatrooms as that next promising act to bring some meaning into the current emo revival: they’re the type of band that defies categorization, sporting a guitar-driven sound that is spiked with vexed, passionate vocals, sure, but they also experiment with more steady rhythms that are plaited together with lush atmospheric touches. The title track off of their debut EP, "Negative Tension", is an urgent, melodic rocker that places emphasis on yearning chord changes with drifting guitar passages.
Chatrooms are playing at the Echoplex’s monthly emo night, Taking Back Tuesday, on Tuesday, July 5. – Juan Rodríguez