Clipwing

Fresh for 2015. Canadian punk outfit Clipwing have some great new music coming in the way of a new 5 track EP titled ‘Ashford’.

Coffebreath & Heartache (who have previous done releases for Pentimento, Banquets, Iron Chic etc) are releasing this as a single sided 12” that features a screen-printed b-side that looks really cool if nothing else! In addition to this the digital download comes with 6 more bonus tracks (demos and such) further adding value to this release and showing some real dedication from the artist. The group enlisted Chris Hannah (Propagandhi ) for production duties and the four of them bunkered down to track this EP mid-last year and now its all set for a Jan 2015 release.

But what does it sound like? Well..a little bit like if Pentimento was playing Get Up Kids songs. Perhaps that’s a weird way to put it but Clipwing have a certain melodic sadness to their songs and are playing it with energy and intent. In my books this is a great combo! The guitars are suprisingly clear and well balanced without too much grit or noise, an effect which allows a lot more tone to carry through the mix. That helps to make room for the bass which cuts through beautifully whenever the guitars let a note or chord ring out and compliments the rythm section well when its all full speed ahead. The drums settle just where they should be right up front and center with just enough room-verb/live feel to them. The drumming is well paced but there are a more than a few tasty fills and clever moments to keep it interesting. The real cherry on top is the heartfelt and sincere vocal delivery of a hoarse and husky front man Martin LaFreniere who never takes the style too far. The clean harmonies and backing vocals from the rest of the band certainly bring a nice dynamic to the fold and yet somehow manage to avoid taking attention away form whats going on up front.

It’s all really well executed and evenly balanced without loosing the edge or attitude. The core 5 tracks here are absolutley excellent and this is really going to hit home with fans of this style.

One criticism is while the added bonus demo-tracks (download only) add a unique reflection to some of the song writing developments, this much extra content would have been better left off. I checked it out for the review but I’ll only be going back to the core 5 songs.

All-in-all, this EP sounds great, the songs are well written and the whole packaging/screenprinting element just really sells this release! I highly recommend giving these guys a spin.

4 /5 - dyingscene.net

Clipwing are a melodic punk band, based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.
The album 'Ashford' is incredible. 'Ashford' is a 5 track album of energetic, melodic, passionate punk rock. This is the bands second release, following their split LP with French punks Icons Down!, which was released July 2014 through The Newform Label.
In addition to this, the digital download comes with 6 extra bonus tracks (demos and acoustic) further adding value to this release, showing real dedication from the artist.
For those disillusioned with the current music scene, here's something fresh, fierce, and from the heart. It doesn't disappoint, except in the sense that it's disappointing that more people don't know about them. 'Ashford' is absolutely excellent, and will really hit home with fans of this style of punk rock music.
The band enlisted Chris Hannah (Propagandhi) for recording and engineering duties, and the four of them hunkered down to track this EP mid-2014.
The musical progression of Clipwing can be told in a myriad of ways, with lyrics shooting at you quicker than your brain can comprehend them; Clipwing have all the "hard and fast" of a Bad Religion or NOFX, however, the band infuses it with some beats similar to the Flatliners, and interesting slow-down change-ups that really intrigue me. The bass work is excellent and the vocals on point. LaFreniere's throaty rasp leads the way throughout the skate punk rhythms. This record is fun, well-written, and is a great blend of punk rock sounds and change-ups.
'Ashford' is the sound of a talented band consciously pushing themselves as far as they can go in terms of musicianship and song writing and in doing so they have created a record that puts many of punk's elder statesmen to shame.

~Stacey Steel - The Grind

With the \ 'Ashford \' - EP by Clipwing Coffee Breath and Heartache bring us another gem for the record shelf closer, albeit in a combined publication with Laser Life Records and Trilob Records, both based in the Netherlands.
The fact that Chris Hannah of Propaghandi is responsible for the production of five songs, one can confidently claim as another plus.
As usual, the disc is recorded only on one side (in this case 12 \ "), has been for consideration on the other side with a pretty-quality screen printing. The to be pressed all on clear vinyl, makes the whole on the turntable become even better. And the songs that accompany the whole as a download code, there is a bonus in 7 demo recordings for it. The distinguished the development of the songs by good are quite nice as a bonus, but have against the finished versions do not stand a chance (there's always time to be cases where that's the other way around).
The five finished tracks can be musically in the corner of the Get-Up Kids and Hot Water Music sort - beautiful rocky, with conscience Lumberjack something. A certain melancholy attitude is the whole can not be denied, it remains the impression of a pulling through the five songs minor chord, try to bear witness to the drums and vocals a little departure.
CAH have proven with this release that they manage, . a few beads right to tailor the appropriate outfit
it possible to safely access again. The plate is available in 3 versions: 100x white vinyl w / petrol screenprint 100x clear vinyl w / black screen print 100x clear vinyl w / gold screen print - Fetz or Die

You can listen to Ashford on a nice mix of rock and punk with influences ranging from The Flatliners, Smoke or Fire or the Foo Fighters. All very melodic, without, however, consumed or sanded to smooth sounding. On the EP there are five songs that are distinctly different and well blended come along. Sometimes fast and hard and something quiet and playful as for example in "FlashPaper", but also the only track which is the one offering a little breather. From start to finish a really successful EP makes you want more. - Needlesound

Take the words "Winnipeg" and "Canada." To which band you will probably think now? Of course, the larger than life The Weakerthans . To which it is to not go below, however. Finally, even those who do not lead a frugal life between radio format and electric Großraumdisse know. Much less known and limited artverwandt: Clipwing from - surprise! - Winnipeg, Canada. Their 12 " Ashford seen on January 15 via Coffee Breath & Heartache / Laser Life / Trilob Records the light of the world and offers five times rather uncouth punk rock. Vocally somewhere near the former Hot Water Music , musical plowing on their own paths through the genre, but mostly very melody in love and most of all always convincing. That it among the five numbers FlashPaper have placed equal a small hit? All the better! Curious plate can become the (incidentally enormously well-designed) here preorder. Those who would rather just would like to listen, can do here: - Heartcooksbrain