ENEMY US is the loving tribute to underrated Californian punk band Enemy You by two rising Canadian upstarts, Talk Show Host and Cluttered.
Split records have been a staple of the punk scene forever but this one arrives with a little twist: the bands have swapped singers.
Cluttered's singer, songwriter and guitarist Matty Grace (She/They), explains: “Enemy You were a very important band to many and sometimes rad bands end up under-appreciated. This could be the case here. David Jones managed to capture heartbreak and feelings of isolation all within the confines of a 2 or 3 minute punk song and did it with wit. This split is a loving tribute to a band that although has slipped under the radar for many, still resonates strongly for us”.
Despite the artists being based in different parts of the country (TSH in Toronto, Cluttered in Ottawa & Halifax) - the project took only a few weeks to be conceived, arranged, recorded, mixed & released. Modern DIY at its finest!
At a time when pop-punk is clawing its way back into the mainstream, ENEMY US reminds us of its roots: a bunch of friends, a few chords, and a catchy chorus.
credits
released May 13, 2022
All Songs written by David Jones
All Songs mastered by Will Killingsworth @ Dead Air Studios
Art by Angoisse
Song #1 & #3
Performed by Talk Show Host (Chris Veinot - he/him, Sean Woolven - he/him, Fabien Rivenet - he/him) & Matty Grace
Backing vocals by Becca Dalley & Sean Woolven
Produced & Engineered by Talk Show Host
Mixed by Olive t'Servrancx-Bierman @ Electrik Box Studio (Lille, France)
Song #2 & #4
Performed by Cluttered (Matty Grace - she/they, Becca Dalley - she/they, Dylan Mombourquette - he/him, AJ Boutilier - he/him,) & Chris Veinot
Backing vocals by Sean Woolven & Becca Dalley
Produced & Engineered by Dylan Mombourquette, AJ Boutilier and Matty Grace
Mixed by Dylan Mombourquette
Like The Hold Steady but with a heavy dose of Midwest Emo, math rock, probably some irony? on a good day, a little overthinking in an endearing way and insane fucking precision. kristin ides
A new track from Pretty Matty finds the band in top form, delivering clean yet crunchy hook-laden power pop with trademark high energy. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 25, 2020
Taking cues from Midwestern emo and early ’10 pop punk, this Leeds, UK outfit are full of heart— not to mention hooks. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 21, 2022
What a damn solid record! It's the perfect example of why I'm certain that Ska Punk is going to play on the highlight reel when I hit up the afterlife. Scott