By Charlie Maybee
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The Richmond-based garage punk band, Remote Control, just released their newest single “Annihilate,” and you can tell immediately from the crunchy bass intro that it has serious star power. In just over two minutes, they shred through an onslaught of pure pop-punk essence, which naturally leaves the listener wanting more because of the short time stamp. But that’s the draw of its punk roots – the music bulldozes you before you even see or hear it coming.
The wailing vocals feel expansive and could easily rile a crowd with a call-and-response structure powering the verses that gives this song the chanting energy of a power anthem. As they tear into the chorus, their electric drive remains relentless. In the outro bridge, a rockabilly style guitar that is reminiscent of The Raconteurs or the early discography of the Arctic Monkeys twangs into the ether with cutting precision. By the end, feedback fills our ears as we are left in the wreckage of a sonic tidal wave.
As the fifth in a string of singles released this year, Remote Control touts a big sound that is sure to ripple through the Virginia music scene. This is the kind of band that revels in a high-octane sound to the point that nothing flashy is required for the music to have a potent effect. This music is a good time waiting to happen in any live music venue.
“Annihilate” is available on all major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
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Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
After AFI DOCS’s departure, the capital city once again has a documentary festival.
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
