Stringer’s members are no stranger to the NYC DIY music scene. The Brooklyn-based four piece features several ex-members of Heeney (Max Kagan, Mark Fletcher, and John Spencer) and J Boxer of The Gradients and Bluffing – all acts that got their fair share of coverage in this very blog. Debut EP Dead Ass, released in December 2015, combines elements of grunge and punk, conjuring up a sound reminiscent of early post-hardcore acts like Rites of Spring and Embrace. The EP’s opener “Fear of Death” (streaming below) highlights the band’s fascination with grunge, while following tune “Just Like You” is a brief track characterized by swift, pounding drums and a snotty punk vocal delivery. These two songs exemplify the range within Boxer, Fletcher, and Kagan operate when sharing songwriting and vocal duties, layering their unique personalities and voices with Spencer’s precise drumming. The band will be playing Shea Stadium on June 21st in support of Washer. – John Honan
