Animal Train - Punk - Austin, TX
As the seemingly endless landscape of empty cups and leftover bottles from SXSW finally begin to clear, Austin, Texas’ own Animal Train emerge from the wreckage—they’re not done by any means. In fact, they’re only getting started. When everyone packs up, hops in the van, and heads home after the four-day festival stint in March, they’re still here to play, as if nothing tiring ever happened in the first place. As members of an increasingly inclusive musical community, it’s no surprise that Animal Train knows how to hold down the fort while having a great time doing it, and “Premature Incineration”, the band’s most recent eight-track release, is, expectedly and rightfully so, the seasoned punk rock edifice of such a famous Texas town.
Despite the album’s brevity of needed audience investment ("Premature Incineration" barely surpasses twelve total minutes), the DIY Austin band still manages to make an impression. Part Misfits, part Pennywise (and a dash of the dark side of Milo Aukerman finds its way in there, too), Animal Train is anti-establishment conglomeration of all of the best aspects of classic punk rock. “Fight” knows exactly the kind of song it is, and doesn’t try to convince you otherwise. With fast power chords, a parallel vocal line, calls to sing along, and mid-track “whoa-ohs”, there are certainly no surprises, but more importantly, there are also no slipups.
From the first simple three-chord introduction to the final strum of “The Great Tax Cut”, Animal Train plays the music they grew up with, respects the classic punk integrity, and doesn’t try to convince the listener they’re something they’re not. Every part has a purpose. Every chorus chant enters the speakers and leaves without overstaying its welcome, and every song ends at just the right point—strong, but you still want more.
Listen/Buy "Premature Incineration" Here: http://podunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/premature-incineration
Support The Band On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/animaltrain
By: Max Puhala
Despite the album’s brevity of needed audience investment ("Premature Incineration" barely surpasses twelve total minutes), the DIY Austin band still manages to make an impression. Part Misfits, part Pennywise (and a dash of the dark side of Milo Aukerman finds its way in there, too), Animal Train is anti-establishment conglomeration of all of the best aspects of classic punk rock. “Fight” knows exactly the kind of song it is, and doesn’t try to convince you otherwise. With fast power chords, a parallel vocal line, calls to sing along, and mid-track “whoa-ohs”, there are certainly no surprises, but more importantly, there are also no slipups.
From the first simple three-chord introduction to the final strum of “The Great Tax Cut”, Animal Train plays the music they grew up with, respects the classic punk integrity, and doesn’t try to convince the listener they’re something they’re not. Every part has a purpose. Every chorus chant enters the speakers and leaves without overstaying its welcome, and every song ends at just the right point—strong, but you still want more.
Listen/Buy "Premature Incineration" Here: http://podunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/premature-incineration
Support The Band On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/animaltrain
By: Max Puhala