Be Kind Simulacra (Review): #Necessities (STL) Debut EP Out On @FishBulbRecs Fri. 12/15

St. Louis three-piece band Necessities is excited to release its debut EP “Be Kind Simulacra” on St. Louis label FishBulb Records on Friday, December 15th, 2017. The band consists of Chris Phillips (guitar/synth/vocals/lyrics, formerly of Bear Hive), Jon Ryan (drums, formerly of Volcanoes) and Stephen Baier (guitar/vocals). The band, active since late 2015, incorporates the technical elements of math rock and the melodic qualities of psychedelic and electronic music into its compositions. 

Chris Phillips, Stephen Baier, and Jon Ryan and has been active since late 2015. 

Bandcamp/Lyrics: https://necessities.bandcamp.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/necessitiesband/ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/necessitiesband/  

“Be Kind Simulacra” is a collection of 5 songs written and recorded over the course of fall 2015 through summer 2017. Though stylistically diverse, the common themes of altered perception, the passage of time and humanity's obsession with creating its own destruction anxiously run through each track.

“Be Kind Simulacra” was engineered by William Godfred and David Beeman at Native Sound Recording, mixed by Ryan Wasoba at Bird Cloud Recording, mastered at Joel Hatstat Audio and produced by Necessities.

The EP will be available on streaming services and digital retailers on December 15th and will be available for purchase on cassette tape at the EP release show at Foam on January 20th. 

*About FishBulb Records:

FishBulb Records is an independent label started by Joshua Lawrence in St. Louis, Missouri in 2017. “Be Kind Simulacra” is the third release on the label, preceded by releases from California band Talk, Tired Thanatoid and St. Louis local Zach Sullentrup. For more information visit www.fishbulbrecords.com.  

*Tracklisting With "Be Kind Simulacra" Review:

1) RTGTW:The first forty seconds of RTGTW has a mathematical and mechanical atmosphere. The melody of the chorus is interesting because it's syncopated with the down beat. It is also traditional in the sense that the first verse and chorus are introduced by the one minute mark. It's different because the structure of the song is intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, outro.

2) Opti-Mistic: The rhythm section jams as the guitar sets the tone, there is a nice drum fill and then que vocals all by the ten second mark

The melody is upbeat on the verse filling in the full groove of the band's sound. The chorus remains true to the vibe, however it really suits the song title also.This track has some neat fills and progressions. The bridge is written well. It closes out with the chorus.

3) Light Breaks: The bass plays a more somber tone at the beginning, an electronic atmosphere is also presented.The vocals also seem slightly melancholy to match the tone. The guitar utilizes some cool effects. By the build of the chorus one can feel the anthemic tone of it. The bridge progesses the song as if it were to solidify the song. Then it just keeps getting better from there. 

4) The Gear Wars: This song starts off with a bleep-bloop type sound from the guitar with a vocal melody in tow. Some cymbal work is heard and then drums follow. The songwriting is thought provoking and unique. The bass seems to somewhat abstain until about a minute and a half in until the second verse kicks in. This one has some cool builds and ideas.

5) TransGalaxy: Keyboard fills the intro fifteen seconds in until the band strikes. The vocals are introduced at thirty seconds. This track has an epic quality to it. Every member shines throughout this one. You just might even get goose bumps before the song ends. The structure is different and leaves you wanting more.

- Recorded at Native Sound.

- Mixed at Bird Cloud Recording.

- Mastered at Joel Hatstat Audio.

Q: 

What does simulacra mean?

A: 

A simulacrum (plural: simulacra from Latin: simulacrum, which means "likeness, similarity") is a representation or imitation of a person or thing.The word was first recorded in the English language in the late 16th century, used to describe a representation, such as a statue or a painting, especially of a god. By the late 19th century, it had gathered a secondary association of inferiority: an image without the substance or qualities of the original. Philosopher Fredric Jamesonoffers photorealism as an example of artistic simulacrum, where a painting is sometimes created by copying a photograph that is itself a copy of the real. Other art forms that play with simulacra include trompe-l'œil, pop art, Italian neorealism, and French New Wave.