The new one from Falls Church band Samuel S.C. is a blaze of rock. Drawing equally from this area's harDCore pioneers and West Coast acts like X and The Avengers, as well as this band's storied Nineties past, Samuel S.C. serve up a real winner here. "Exit Scene" / "Who Says", out today on limited edition vinyl, and digital, is a surge of energy times two.
"Exit Scene" soars thanks to vocals from Vanessa Downing. A comparison to Exene seems warranted here, and the gnarly flip "Who Says" should earn ones to Joan Jett and Penelope Houston. It helps that the band behind Vanessa's vocals is so strong, with Eric Astor (drums), Michael Honch (bass), James Marinelli (guitar and vocals), and Dean Taorima (guitar) all punching above their weight. This double-sided winner from Samuel S.C. finds a new angle from which to approach post-punk, with a directness that is invigorating.
"Exit Scene" / "Who Says" by Samuel S.C. can be ordered via the Bandcamp link below.
[Photo: Samuel S.C.]