Steering clear of layered, feedback heavy chords, DC’s Flasher draws on the bouncier side of 80s post-punk to create a commendable, distinctly 21st century indie sound. Chord tones, as opposed to triads, are the preferred method of harmonic progression here, with the guitars playing an ancillary role to the hi-hat heavy drum beat backbone.
The result is an optimistic groove, but behind it all lies some surprisingly dark lyrics. Lines like “No Future, no faith”, and “listless entropy lull me fast asleep” back the otherwise upbeat single “Skim Milk”. This standout track maintains its commitment to chord tones instead of triads until the very end when the full chords burst through to full effect in an exciting finale. Catch Flasher at Black Cat this Saturday, June 23rd.
-Mike Dranove