Hangman EP "Trade Goods"

[foal30]

HANGMAN "Trade Goods" EP


Trade Goods EP
indie release
running time 23:33

1. Spinning
2. Grind
3. Falling
4. Break (remix)
5. Grind (live)
6. Spinning (instrumental mix)

Paul Burnell - Drums
Mike Smith - Guitar
Brent Strathdee - Bass, Cuts
Seth Suter - Voice

First release from South Auckland independent band Hangman. The one live selection was recorded at the Kings Arm (09/07) by Dave Rhodes and Jamie Vuyk. The remaining tunes were tracked at the Rock Factory by Michelle Klaessens and Mark Rawstron.

Stylistically Hangman are a little of a throw back to the early '90s "rapcore" scene. Whilst there are audible threads of Faith No More and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in both instrumentation and delivery the main reference for me was with Dutch band Urban Dance Squad, who had a hit with the wonderfully aggressive "Candy Strip Experience". The first cut is probably my pick off this EP, "Spinning" is a more relaxed tempo, nice open chords, strong backbeat and a round,warm bass groove. Lyrically the tune sets a dark tone for the rest of the release, this is of course preferable to paeans to ones genitalia or car and it is good to hear a young band offer something a little different to the barrage of inanities so often brayed for the "Popular music" market.

Guitarist Mike Smith seems unafraid of riffage, which is way cool and a little different to his approach on the tunes Hangman had included on the "Turn it Up" sampler from 2007. It is bang to rights for the style presented and his tone is a little bluesier than sharp/metal. I like the flat5 line in "Fallen", Brent helps out with his flanged flat9 opener.

Mikey Rockwell who you all should have seen on Juice or Alt TV makes an appearance on the live version of "Grind" and it is good to see independent artists working/creating together.

So all in all if a bit of rock music with some rap vocals, the odd sample and some righteous riffs thrown in sounds like you get on this EP. It's local, it directly supports the artist, it's cheap at $12 and if you play it too your friends you will all know the lyrics before you go to the next Hangman gig.

Right? Right!
contact details from http://www.myspace.com/hangmanbandnz

[Pakehendrix]

Definitely get it. And come see them play with us on Thursday 12