The Chromatic Punks get amplified with ‘Over the Influence’ EP

By ROB DUGUAY
Posted 3/7/23

In an age where it can be easy to sound like a rip-off, the task of creating truly original music for a band or a musician can be fairly difficult. This is especially true because of the endless …

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The Chromatic Punks get amplified with ‘Over the Influence’ EP

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In an age where it can be easy to sound like a rip-off, the task of creating truly original music for a band or a musician can be fairly difficult. This is especially true because of the endless marketplace of the internet where a listener can find themselves lost in an abundance of formulaic crap without any satisfaction. A band that’s been staying true to what they like by combining elements of hard rock, alternative, blues and heavy metal into a cohesive sound are The Chromatic Punks from Providence. The quartet of vocalist Jim Falkner, guitarist Sean Harrop, bassist Jared Venetuolo and drummer Rob Bergdoll exhibit a ton of shredding and emphasis with forceful delivery. This is very evident in their new EP, “Over The Influence”, that came out on January 27 via Jam Cave Records.

What makes this band stand out is the way Falkner sings. His voice is at a lower volume that’s reminiscent of both Bob Mould from Hüsker Dü and Ian Curtis from Joy Division while having a major presence. The rest of the band has very tight knit arrangements with Bergdoll and Venetuolo being the rhythmic engine on drums & bass while Harrop’s guitar riffs give off an electrifying jolt. The sound of the EP is both classic and modern. It’s something that both the purist who lived through rock’s glory days and the young whippersnapper who just bought their first Ramones record can appreciate.

“You Don’t Know” starts the record off in an emotional way as the song deals with loss, reflection and the aftermath of it. Bringing more of an intense vibe is “The Outlaw'', Harrop really ups the volume with his six-string on this one along with Bergdoll’s drumming. With slight surf-rock leanings, “Warm It Up” is probably the most danceable track on the EP. Embracing the metal side of the band is “Questions Without The Answers”, especially with how the drums and the bass anchor the structure of the entire song. Closing things out is a hidden track titled “Number Of The Priest” that echoes a similar sentiment to the previous song with Falkner screaming his lungs out like Rob Halford from Judas Priest.

Cranston locals can see some of the material off of the “Over The Influence’ EP performed live when The Chromatic Punks perform at the Pub On Park on 655 Park Avenue on March 12. Fellow Providence rock bands Beyond Gravity and The Nurse will be rounding out the bill with the show starting on the relatively easy side at 7pm. For more information about the show, log on to the venue’s website at pubonparkri.com. To check out the new EP, you can stream it via either Spotify, Apple Music, ITunes or Deezer. To keep tabs on what The Chromatic Punks have going on in the future, follow their Facebook page and give it a like at facebook.com/TheChromaticPunks.

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