Spearside – Bus Stop (2022)
With their debut single ‘Bus Stop’, Spearside draw on personal experiences while unleashing their energetic sound into the world. Inspired by the music of the great young Ulster punk bands, Spearside pick pieces of their influence and mould them into something new. Bringing a new edge to pumping guitar pop-rock, they delve into the rural buses of their youth, while letting out a blast of addictive vibes.
Written by Oisin Walsh (vocals, guitar), the single was the first that he felt had a sound worth pursuing. Joining him in bringing this sound to life are his brother Cian (vocals, bass) and Dylan Zovich (drums). Together, they produce all their music at their home studio, while releasing the tracks through the independent Irish label Kill Cool.
‘Bus Stop’ blasts to life with a thrust of guitars that shakes you up from the first note. There is a great energy to the melody that edges toward noise rock, only to slide firmly into alternative sensibilities. Woven into the push of the guitars is an infectious vibe that hooks you to the band’s sound. There is a tickle of familiarity that speaks to the influences the band draws on, but this has been wonderfully threaded into something uniquely Speakside. There is not a moment of stillness to the melody, with the energy vibrating from start to finish. Late in the track, the guitars are given a chance to shine with an instrumental section that brings a little bit of air guitar out in anyone listening. While you are rocking out to their sound, you are going to be shocked when the music comes to a rather abrupt end.
The blast of rock energy is not limited to the melody as Walsh’s vocals shout out with a catchy delivery. There is a slight echo feeling around the edges of the vocals that works really well with the push of the music. The lyrics take you into the experience of taking the bus and waiting at your bus stop where you feel like you spend most of your life. It is a wonderful little slice of life brought to vivid colours through the energy of the band. The backing vocals rise against the main vocal line perfectly to enhance it, while adding a feeling of not being alone in your journey on the bus.
With their debut single ‘Bus Stop’, Spearside have you bouncing to their energetic sound, shouting out with their vocals and having an absolute blast. From the first note to the abrupt end, the melody has you rocking out to the pumping sound of the guitars. The vocals shout out and grab hold of you, while taking you into a moment of the band’s life.
Find out more about Spearside on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
