Hot Cops, 'Decay'
Info: Well I've been looking forward to sharing these two quite distinct tracks since I first heard them at the start of May, instantly loved both of them and was taken in at first listen. Belfast three-piece Hot Cops have just released their double A-side 'Decay / Six' yesterday, following on from their previous E.P.'s, 2014's Another Teen Age and January's #1 Babes.
In a funny way I'm kind of annoyed with myself that I didn't make the Weezer connection until I read the band cited their Blue album as one of their influences, indeed I used to cover the lovely 'Say It Ain't So' in a band a long time ago in a galaxy far far away and it still remains one of the most refreshing albums to come back to. The hushed intro and false sense of calm before a thunderous cacophony of noise and lightly distorted guitar are a trademark that Hot Cops have made their own on 'Decay' in particular. 'Decay' gets the adrenalin pumping and the band have nailed the art of see-sawing between pushing forward sonically while alternately easing off on the guitars and giving prominence to drumming, pin-pointed with precision between the one and two-minute marks.
Hot Cops, 'Six'
'Six' is markedly different in many ways, it's really nice to see a band put emphasis on bass playing here, often seen as a complimentary rather than a prominent part of proceedings nowadays. The song shows some of it's companion track's traits but is also stand alone in itself, (the intro nods slightly to 'The Sweater Song') and expected anarchy is kept at bay. There's something quite unique about the vocals on this track as well, with the higher notes being particularly rewarding, the song marches into Mac DeMarco territory briefly at the half-way point before pulling all of it's elements tightly together and unceremoniously releasing them into a wall of noise. Hot Cops have definitely hit on a mix of unadulterated raucous enjoyment and moments of discreet vocal beauty here balanced perfectly between and within the two tracks. Live dates are below.
Hot Cops are: Carl Eccles - Vocals / guitar, Nathan Rodgers - bass, Conor Ellison - drums.
Look / Like / Listen & Follow:
Website: http://hot-cops.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotCopsNI
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/hot-cops
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HotCopsNI
Live Shows:
30/04 - Black Box, Belfast, UK
24/05 - BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend Festival, Norwich, UK
24/07 - Knockanstockan Festival, Wicklow, IE
01/08 - Sunflower Festival, Hillsborough, UK
27/08 - Whelans, Dublin, IE
28/08- The Spirit Store, Dundalk, IE
