Recently, Total Punk posted an Instagram video of Tampa’s The Hickeys performing, and I became an immediate fan. Gang vocals, urgency, melody – I wished I was front row at that show.
Their five-song Demos - EP is a perfect sonic sprint, echoing The Delmonas and featuring a Moe Tucker-ish drum arrangement (who needs a kick pedal?). It’s eight minutes of hit-and-run hooks, ooohs and ahhhs, throwback appeal, and minefield song titles like “Melancholy Baby” and “Creepers” (standout tunes, too).
Few bands are taking a swing at this sound, because it’s tough to pull off. But The Hickeys nail it by incorporating a joyful recklessness that makes it all feel fresh.
I predict that this will be a “demos” release that really holds up to future studio recordings (much like Paper Jam and Lo Noom – two of my favorites from earlier this year). Enjoy…
