Rob's Album Of The Week: Gymshorts' No Backsies!

Rob Duguay

There is a beautifully awesome thing happening within the cockles and the depths of the Providence music scene. The emergence of highly amplified punk & garage rock has been making a righteous re-introduction into the sounds of The Creative Capital and as a fan who has been seeing the scene evolve for nearly a decade I welcome it with open arms. When it comes to this explosive takeover, you have to start with frenzied upstarts Gymshorts. Still a fairly new act in Providence but they’ve been gaining serious traction over the past few months, Gymshorts recently put out their debut album No Backsies! and it’s one of the best raw & real rock & roll albums you’ll ever hear. You think punk is dead? Listen to what Gymshorts have to offer and I’m sure you’ll change your mind.

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The production & recording was done by local artist Jared Mann (ex-Big Tall Buildings) has a lo-fi quality that mirrors the likes of Guided By Voices,Sebadoh & Royal Headache. The fuzziness of it all might turn some music snobs off, but why? The genuine boom & audacity of No Backsies! should bring light to even the most pretentious person’s music taste and have them appreciate the energy flowing out of the album. Overall, I adore the angst and rebellious nature of Gymshorts’ new album. It’ll light a fire in your soul and make you become a raging electrified tornado that’ll never stop spinning.

You like snow? Well, we’ve been getting plenty of it in Providence so far. It’s cold, wet and you along with everyone else are probably more miserable than someone at a Peter Cetera concert. I recommend lighting a fire, sitting back, taking a load off and relaxing while you indulge in my top tracks off of my Album Of The Week. You’ll be warm, hopefully happier and you’ll get to know what’s good for your eardrums. Anyways and as always, here goes something:

A sexual name for a catchy rock song, “Viberator” is bound to give you the musical pleasure you’ve been looking for with hooks and chords that will stick in your head like glue on a shoe. Shouting out to the luxurious neighborhood of Olneyville, “You Olneyville Once” has that jolting shock of energy that has become of trademark of Gymshorts’ sound. You’re going to want to turn it up and go absolutely nuts after hearing this one. Something every young adult trying to live in this crazy world of ours can relate to, “Owed To The Bank” serves as an anthem for any frustrated member of the Millennial generation who always seems to get screwed over by “The Man”. It might be a downer that I can only name a few tracks, but knowing that No Backsies! is purely excellent in every way should bring a smile to that lovely face of yours.

On February 27th Gymshorts will be playing The Salon, 57 Eddy Street in Providence (right across from the back side of City Hall & the Big Nazo Building) with Pixels, Zip-Tie Handcuffs and Carnival. After that they’ll be embarking on a tour with Brooklyn act Vulture Shit so keep yourself posted to see where they’ll be and head on out to a kickass time. Until Gymshorts bring the party to your friendly neighborhood music venue, get yourself a copy of their brand new debut album No Backsies!. It gives life to punk once again, and it’s very much here to stay.

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Returning to the 990WBOB Airwaves Soon. Under the Radar hosted by Rob Duguay