Punch Punch Kick
Los Angeles, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2012
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Phlying Saucer "Pancakes" EP
A neat find here is The Phlying Saucer, a young band with a sound that's akin to Weezer and Foo Fighters. Lead by singer Phil McDonald, he's joined by Lydell Valdriz (drums), Evan Brass (bass) and Chris Miranda (guitar). The band came together when they all realized that they had a shared love of modern power pop. "Breaking Down" has a crisp guitar lead and catchy melody. "One Red Light" offers those rambunctious riffs and fast tempo, very similar to Bowling For Soup. Each of the tracks on this EP shine brightly, and should find a place on your play list. - Power Popaholic
Phlying Saucer is a modern rock and pop outfit consisting of Phil McDonald (vocals), Lydell Valdriz (drums), Evan Brass (bass), and Chris Miranda (guitar). Their latest EP, “Pancakes”, is a stack of 5 tracks covered in syrupy melodies and buttery goodness. But this yummy music will not be hazardous to your waistline.
You can get a whiff of how great this little EP is going to be just by sampling the top track, “Breaking Down Takes Two”. With a groovy crunch and snappy backbeat, this track would fit comfortably on modern rock radio. The musical style incorporates a little of Tinted Windows and Simple Plan, with a touch of the pop smarts one might find on a Drake Bell album. Vocals are well produced and harmonies strategically placed. “Suddenly” is just as catchy, with an infectious chorus that reminds me of Plain White T’s. “Warning Signs” has a slightly darker edge in the verses, but the sun comes out big time on the soaring chorus – excellent. “One Red Light” is a perfect summer anthem for driving around town with the top or windows down – one of my favorites in the batch. The EP ends all too soon with “Carry On”, another upbeat melodic rocker designed to keep you going when the going gets tough. In short, “Pancakes” is a very tasty treat from top to bottom.
Champions of the ‘no more than 3:30 minute’ song, Phlying Saucer doesn’t invade your space for too long. But they don’t have to linger long before you realize you would like to be beamed away to their world again and again.
-Bill's Music Forum - Bill's Music Forum
Phlying Saucer – Pancakes (Independent)
The Californian four-piece, Phlying Saucer, return to the fray with a second 5-track EP of super-melodic pop-punk. Bassist / vocalist / knob twiddler, Evan Brass, has certainly earned his bonus with a razor sharp production which effortlessly leaps out of the speakers, grabbing the listener by the collar, and demanding full, unwavering attention.
EPs work brilliantly for new bands without a full album of songs to release, but equally there’s absolutely no room for filler, and it’s to the band’s credit they understand completely the stipulations of the format. All five songs deliver maximum hooks and thrills, and it’s obvious from the moment opening track “Breaking Down Takes Two” hits its chorus, we’re in the hands of a band making the most of their opportunity.
If you’ve yet to discover them, now’s the time – before they go mega.
www.phlyingsaucer.com
Rob F.
- Leicester Bangs
Phlying Saucer – Runaway (the EP)
I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I haven’t heard anything about judging a cd by its cover. Runaway, the EP by Phlying Saucer has this lime-green backdrop on the jacket with a drawing of what I’m assuming to be one of the band members in an astronaut suit that can also pass for something you need to wear for deep sea-diving. Very cool. It immediately raised my expectations.
It opens with “Grow on You”. This is straightforward rock music. Heavy guitars, heavy drums—though the melody is pretty light. The vocals are nice and smooth as well. All the sounds blend together for a very even mix. Though, I found the song itself was a little boring. The following track is “Blame Me”—a much catchier tune. I love a nice melody during the verses, and not just saving it for the hook.
“Two Steps” is the most musically interesting track on here. The driving bass rhythm has this dark and kick-ass vibe to it. And by the time the chorus arrives, the drums start crashing and pounding in your face.
You can hear both Rock and Punk influences in nearly every track. They have what I call a good “live” sound. In other words, I can imagine them being able to really tear the roof off at a concert or show. It’s a solid EP. The music is commercially marketable. I don’t feel any risks were taken. This isn’t always a bad thing, but they play it too safe for my taste.
Stylistically, I feel they can go deeper with their sound. Maybe lean a tad bit more towards the Punk genre, for example. Overall, Phlying Saucer is a good band with the potential of being great. They haven’t quite tapped into that “great” realm yet, but the talent, in every department, is there—to be shaped, molded and polished to perfection. I’d keep a strong lookout for these guys.
-Carlito's Music Reviews Blog - Carlito's Music Reviews
Los Angeles 4 piece band known as Phlying Saucer releases their debut EP entitled Runaway EP in 2010. The band features lead singer Phil McDonald (also plays guitar) Chris Miranda (guitars/vocals) Lydell Valdriz (drums) & Evan Brass (bass).
The EP quickly kicks things off with the rocking “Grow on You”: an impressive intro piece that dishes out low end rock groove, with driving rhythms against a mean sounding guitar & hooky vocal harmonies. Infectious vocal hooks & phrasing from lead singer Phil McDonald makes a solid first impression delivering a grand slam chorus. Track 2 “Blame Me” serves-up another strong piece of music combining melodic guitar ambience with raw vocal passion that methodically flows & ebbs its way through emotional fruition. Track 3 “Runaway” presents a more poppy, sing songy rock flair combining mesmerizing melodic guitar that leads you head first into an amazing vocal finale. As the CD slowly unfolds, I can hear many different musical textures reminiscent of classic Weezer, Good Charlotte, All American Rejects, & just a splash of Postal Service. The music has everything you would expect from a 4 piece rock band: solid low end rock grooves, driving distorted rhythm guitar with catchy melodic vocals, & even impressive solo guitar action. The vocal style itself of McDonald goes down smooth & fills the space peacefully & unobtrusively. As the EP slowly reveals more & more to you, its obvious Phlying Saucer is an accomplished rock band that is fun to listen to providing catchy melodies & a solid rock vibe. If these guys had a solid live presentation they would indeed be even more deadly. All songs themselves are solid across the board with the lyrical content that is short & sweet, even providing flashes of clever conventional wisdom. The EP ends with “Ruin”, the prefect final statement for an EP like this.
Song for song, it’s fair to say this EP is just a bit repetitive sounding overall. I also wish the drums (kick drum especially) had just a little more bottom-end bite.
After checking out Runaway EP by Phlying Saucer, I abandoned all hopes of finding any serious flaws. This debut EP is an impressive debut statement that clearly proves this band is a force to be reckoned with in Southern California. There’s really not a weak song on the EP. I would even go so far as to say 100% of this EP is radio friendly, & has hit potential. I especially like how the songs hit hard yet still maintain strong marketability & melodic structure. All songs are all short & sweet musical experiences, & the overall production is world class. Go to their website; you will find lots of cool things including a music video for the title track. I look forward to checking out more material from Phlying Saucer - hopefully this summer.
-Cyrus Rhodes
indiemusicdigest.com - Indie Music Digest
Phlying Saucer
Runaway EP
No catalogue number
Released: 2010
Los Angeles 2010. A band form and call themselves Phlying Saucer. They decide to take the retro route to success and duly record this EP, “Runaway”, exorcising the ghost of Weezer in the process. No surprise there as that part of the world is prone to such pagan practices as the likes of The Kimberly Trip and Matt Kollar prove.
Fortunately, there is a lot to like here. The band are metronome precise throughout and know exactly when to stab with the guitar. Likewise the vocals (and harmonies, of course, for they are obligatory here) hit the mark with unerring accuracy. It‘s just like 1992 again with a song like “Two Steps” making you think wistfully of the days when radio was actually worth listening to.
OK, so it is a bit too retro for today but you can’t deny that Phlying Saucer have provided tasty fodder here for those whose ears pine for pop rock.
-Bluesbunny Music Reviews - Bluesbunny Music Reviews
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Punch Punch Kick is a rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2012. The group consists of Phil McDonald (lead vocals and guitar), Chris Miranda (lead guitar and vocals), Ryan Malloy (bass and vocals) and Reade Pryor (drums).
Shortly after forming, the band joined forces with producer Linus of Hollywood to record their debut EP. The single "What the Kids Don't Know" was released on October 7th, 2013, and the full EP was released on January 31st, 2014.
Punch Punch Kick will continue performing at venues in the Los Angeles area while finishing the recording of their first full-length album which they hope to release in the coming year.
"The term power pop has been resurrected into the music lexicon in the past year or so, though most of the current acts that follow its roots are giving it more of gritty garage sound. But every so often, a band like Punch Punch Kick reminds us of how playful and simplistic a pop song can be, nonewithstanding that powerful crunch that gives it a sense of melodic urgency. Their first shout-out to the world, "What The Kids Don't Know", is all-around likable, boasting a straightforward hook that morphs to the rhythm of their vocal harmonies like a good old-fashioned pop rock song should. Think of a more bubbly Surfer Blood mixed with the tight guitar dynamics of the Cars and, of course, the youthful, self-referential naivete of early Fountains of Wayne."
- The Deli LA
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