Moonraker/Neckscars

Split (2023)

Mike Elfers

Southern California and Downstate New York's coasts stretch drinking stories between apathy and band-bonding with the Moonraker/Neckscars Split.

Moonraker, self-described as "the Michael Jordan of Baseball of Punk Rock" take the plate/court first, setting the mood with "Ticker Tape," and Nick Schambra's raspy vocal delivery. The bass player dredging his respected third-piece with razor-sharp harmonies and heavy crashes from drummer David Green. The opener reads tougher-Ten Foot Pole or Lawrence Arms. "Heels" quickly cuts in next, with more infectious vocal hooks and sick leads from guitarist Matt Sampson. A true showcase of the musicianship of the trio, the song teeters on it's own momentum, with killer wah-riffs and a spoken-word bridge that wave a giant Bad Religion California flag. "Fireman" hits next, upping the tempo with some great single-kick work double-time from Green, before resolving into another giant, aggressive chorus. Schambra's busy bass playing weave perfectly between Green's speed and Sampson's moving guitar octaves. Delightful side A.

Neckscars smashes open their side with the boxy guitar cabs of "Level I: Dusted," firing up Will Romeo's signature vocal gravel. The band then (very cleverly) opens the song wide open to the dueling guitars of Romeo and Justin Parish, presenting the endless possibilities of the four-piece, along with a loud thug-vocal chorus to shine differently than their friends on the first half of the album. Guitar leads join a slow-fade outro that bleeds retrospect and prepares the listener for the soft climbing build of "Level II: Insufferable." As was mentioned in 2021's Don't Panic, Romeo's vocal super-power is his ability to blend the thrashed-out tone in a way that preserves both empathy from the listener, while still giving the band a bottomless edge. "Level II" completes this skillset, offering rowdy East-Coast punk rock that can touch the senses like a Face to Face or (good) Foo Fighters anthem, all the while Colin Harte and Lawrence Miller respectively hold down their punctuation on bass and drums to keep the writing fresh and easy to return to. "Level III: Tequila Hands" was a spectacular choice for the split closer, tying an earnest singer/songwriter tune to another hodge of veteran rock band instrumentals. Fantastic song, perhaps the best of the six.

Moonraker and Neckscars are both very good bands that have both, quite obviously, toured their asses off. The proof is in the air-tight dynamics of their instrumentation, the cohesiveness of their writing, and the unforgettable hotel room antics that spurred the project. Great record, and a terrific introduction to either act. Much recommend.