Braddock Station Garrison

Last year US rock band Braddock Station Garrison gave a strong and enjoyable introduction to their rock ‘n’ roll with debut EP/mini album High Water. Exploring all the best bits of that release whilst honing other potential but previously less striking elements in their sound, the Washington DC quartet has recently unveiled its successor, A Hint of Recognition. Still carrying a flavoursome Americana tang to their no frills rock ‘n’ roll, Braddock Station Garrison have produced another highly magnetic and creatively organic proposition with their second full-length to thoroughly enjoy. It is probably not a game changer in stirring major awareness of the band by wider spotlights, though it has enough to make a stir if given the chance, but A Hint of Recognition is definitely going to entice new fans as they show they are heading in the right creative direction for bigger rewards ahead.

Formed by vocalist/guitarist Steve Schillinger and lead guitarist Tom Soha in 2011; Braddock Station Garrison take inspirations from the likes of Tom Petty, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, Johnny Cash, and The Smithereens into their openly growing sound. Completed by drummer Michael Chapman and bassist Michael Haddad, a line-up in place since mid-2014, the band released High Water last year to keen responses. Its fusion of classic and modern sounds was a highly appetising if unspectacular proposal which left a richness of pleasure in its wake. A Hint of Recognition continues the groundwork it laid but with more inventive tenacity, bolder imagination, and depth of sound. It is still not the offering to make an explosive impact but it definitely guarantees a thoroughly enjoyable time with every listen and who can say no to that.

cover_RingMaster Review The album opens with Forgotten Teenage Dream, a contagious little number with jangly riffs and a great alluring bassline alongside the ever distinctive and appealing tones of Schillinger. With crispy beats adding to the easy going stroll, the song rather than providing a big splash to start things off is more a catchy coaxing, a warm up to bigger and brighter things. Nevertheless grooves and melodies offer a pleasing tempting which the more relaxed and emotive She’s Too Cool employs with relish in its more fifties rockabilly seeded stroll. As in its predecessor and the band’s sound generally, there is a masterful simplicity at work; leanness to the invention which ensures only the choice cuts of sound and imagination get involved in the song whilst avoiding unnecessary embellishments.

Things really takes off from the album’s third track, Lies, where once more a fifties breeding is carried by the tantalising air of the song, and initially through another tasty bass lure and the rich vocals. It is a flavour continued by sultry melodies and welcoming riffs cast by the guitars whilst a raw cascade of intensity only adds to the drama and unrelenting addictiveness of the song. Its success seems to spark something extra in its following companions too, Hey Cindy spinning a web of sonic tendrils across its body within a great rhythmic beckoning next. To this the guitars spray a creative smog like contrails behind a plane, with both Chapman and Haddad laying down gripping bait before Never In Danger emulates the earlier Lies with its own dark rock hues, though this time they touch upon a R.E.M. colouring in the song’s evocative swing. Infectious from first breath to last, the track is a reserved but lively seduction adding more warmth to the satisfaction already brewed by A Hint of Recognition.

More heady bass temptation brings a grin to lips as Any Day Any Way opens up, the enticement persistent as guitars spread fuzzy causticity across a punkish encounter unafraid to change tact and energy at the drop of a note. More inventive and fiery with each passing minute, the track is another striking high point which Stop and Reflect struggles to match right after, though its country twang and melodic smoulder only feeds a happy appetite before Johnny Stone Stole My Girl brings things to a rocking close. Its unsurprising yet irresistibly catchy shuffle feeds all wants from a slice of rock ‘n’ roll, especially with more of that flavoursome old school fifties tone to please personal tastes; a pursuit of which would definitely go down well and add something more to future Braddock Station Garrison songs it is easy to suggest on the evidence of A Hint of Recognition. More of the very solid and enjoyable sounds found on the band’s new album would be quite fine too. - Ringmaster Review Introduces

.....and we are once again back in America! After reviewing the Dot Dash album a few weeks ago, I got an email from Braddock Station Garrison asking if we would look into their latest album. Always happy to oblige (and would also like to apologise for the delay, been one of those months), but always, I promise I will be honest so if I did not like an album I would have to say it; but all this is by the by as it is now time to make an introduction for the band. Formed in 2011, Braddock Station Garrison is the band name for Steve Schillnger on vocals and guitars, Tom Soha on lead guitar, Michael Chapman on drums and Michael Haddad on the bass. I did the review section before I did this section and having a look on their influences I can see the following: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, R.E.M., Big Star, Wilco - it is a very strong lists of bands who have a similar focus and also it is a very American list which is something I picked up on; not a bad thing but there is a sound that can only come from that country much in the same way the Black metal sounds more natural from Scandinavian bands, England seems to have the indie sound that just sounds so natural and when the style is done by an Italian band it sounds slightly wrong. So with that set of influences in place, let’s see how the album turned out....

Starting off the album is “Forgotten Teenage Dream” and immediately you can see that this band have been influenced by early R.E.M. and Mr Petty and His Heartbreakers. This is definitely influences by American heartland rock; it is a tale of dreams from youth coming back to the forefront when you least expect it. The wheel is not being reinvented, but that is not the point with this type of song and act; much like AC/DC and Motorhead when it comes to metal, if it ain’t broke why try to change it and this works very well. The second track is called “She’s Too Cool” and the formula for this album looks as if it is firmly set; this tale is about the girl who is out of your league and has her sights on something else other than her surroundings. It is more of the heartland rock which matches the lyrics with a steady soft rock solo and four/four time to keep the head nodding along. Following on is the song called “Lies” which starts with the bass and an accusing tone from the beginning accusing a person of telling lies. This has a blues and sixties hippy love tone to the number, it is very catchy and changes the game slightly; with the hippy vibe in places and the hurtful lyrics directed to a cheating spouse just tickles me in a way, it is one of the best songs on this release. At the halfway point we are introduced to “Hey Cindy” which mixes early Beatles to the heartland rock, the tightrope walking through a tricky love affair is a familiar tale again and this saga of regret is no different. Once again, it has a sense of familiarity before you get to the main section of the song; but this is not the same as it being boring, it is just traditional.

The fifth track is called “Never In Danger” and it is the longest song that the band have on this album; starting with a dark riff (comparatively to the rest of the album) this song is all about keeping a loved one safe from the bad side of the world whilst allowing them to be free at the same time. It reminds me on 1990’s Big Country (for those who do not know, Big Country were a rock band from Scotland who had some really catchy tunes), it is another excellent song for this release and is only pipped by “Lies” due to the cheeky nature of the former; “Never In Danger” is a really good rock song that should keep their fans very happy. Next we have “Any Day Any Way” which more traditional heartland track but with a post-grunge twist, boy loses girl and is trying to find himself but he is also feeling a little destructive as well. The drumming is really interest here and is a good contrast to the post-grunge leanings of the tune, the riff is darker that the rest and it keeps the album going in the right direction. The penultimate track is called “Stop & Reflect” and with its odd time signature that sometimes has the instruments jarring with each other. It feels like the idea is almost there, almost formed and completed but the delivery is just not quite right; if there has to be a least favourite track of the album then this is regrettably the song for this record, but that does not mean it is a bad song at all – it just means I prefer the other tracks over this one. But with that set, it does have a really subtle solo in the middle of the song as well. However, ending the album is rock ‘n’ roll affair called “Johnny Stone Stole My Girl”; it seems to get all the themes from the album and wraps them up in a short, sharp and smartly dressed number. It is hard not to smile when you are listening to it, even with the lyrical content as the song just sounds so happy. It is the heartland rock equivalent to Morrissey/The Smiths and their sense of irony – intentional or not, it is a great way to end the album.

So overall what is the rub here; well there are some production quality issues if I am honest. When the guitars has distortion on it, the fuzzy sound is quieter than the clear guitar sound in places. Also, there is a few dropped notes and drum beats. However, this adds to the charm of the album (also it shows that it has not been pro-tooled to fuck – well played sirs), it keeps things very charming and simple which is what this type of music needs to be; you do not want a jazz flute solo in the middle of this sound. It has not broken the mould, but that was not the aim I feel and it does its job admirably. Whilst it might not win many awards, it does win my respect for sticking to its gun and doing a sterling job; some people would look down on this, but fuck them – if you like heartland rock with a bit of post grunge, then do not look any further than this – it does exactly what it says on the tin and deserves that hint of recognition.

7 out of ten - This is good and well worth a check - All The Time I Was Listening To My Own Wall Of Sound

It’s summer time, and already, I can’t wait to be driving around blasting Braddock Station Garrison’s Hint of Recognition which was just released on 16 April 2015. This album is sure to soothe the mind and body with its funky vibe. In addition to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, REM, Big Star, Cheap Trick, and Aerosmith – which are some comparisons their fans identify them with- I also hear a touch of Red Hot Chili Peppers and even The Smiths. If those artists don’t tickle your fancy, I don’t know who will, so be sure to give this record a solid listen!

Vocalist and guitarist Steve Schillinger states, “We think this record is a step forward. It has some different styles, but to us it works, it’s cohesive. We are really proud of it.”

…and cohesive it is, which was actually surprising when I learned that the drummer Michael Chapman had written the 7th track on the record, “Stop & Reflect”, because the album flow was seamless from start to finish. Catching my ears almost instantaneously, were the infectious White Stripes vibed bass lines (and tones) of “Lies” and the western, gritty rock tones of “Never in Danger” with a side of hooks reminiscent of Gary Jules’ Mad World. These tracks quickly became my favorites.

Any Foo Fighters fans out there? Listen up as Tom Soha (Lead Guitarist) mentions “I was not getting a good tone out of my guitar for Any Day Any Way and Hey Cindy. [Our engineer] Eamonn recommended his Gibson Les Paul and I played it. Turns out it was the same guitar the Foo Fighters used on Feast and the Famine from their new record.”
The band continues to write new and more challenging music, already casting their eyes toward their third record, which they hope to record in the Fall of 2016. A Hint of Recognition is just a small taste of the incredible places this band is headed! For more information and links to connect with the band, see below.

“If you don’t begin seeing this album cover everywhere soon it would really surprise me, because these boys are really doing something different and special!” – SwitchBitch Noise - SwitchBitch Noise

"This two-guitar local band offered up much more than I expected and had me fully involved for their nearly hour-long set.” - DC Rock Live

This band features all the basics of good power pop/indie rock with two guitars working rhythms and leads atop a nimble rhythm section.” - DC Rock Live

"...a Led Zeppelin-ish feeling and this quiet melancholia of The Beach Boys, both combined in a unique blend with distinctive vocals.” - Flowers In A Gun