Miamia - Rock, Punk, Pop Punk - Palm Beach, FL
There’s nothing like a hefty dose of positive, catchy pop punk to bring you right out of those winter blues, and today, Palm Beach, Florida pop punk outfit Mia Mia! are making me feel like its summertime all over again, despite the freezing rain outside. Named after band leader Cesar Punski’s nephew’s name for his favorite blankey, Mia Mia! recently spent a considerable amount of time refining their recording techniques, since all of their appropriately titled debut full-length, “Home Recordings”, was produced right in their own homes.
Punski certainly has a knack for recalling some of the greats in the punk genre. Immediately during the blazing fast opening track, “Stuck Like You”, I thought of NOFX and some of their best tunes from the “Punk in Drublic” days. The drums move at unstoppable speeds while the tight vocal harmonies never let up for a second. During the following track, “Over the Hill”, the lead guitarist shows that he can do far more than just play octaves and fast powerchords, unleashing a euphoric Hefe-style solo over the continuously pounding rhythm section. Here, Punski reminds me of a “Dude Ranch”-era Mark Hoppus with his lower register delivery.
Fast punk isn't all that Mia Mia! has to offer, though, additionally finding a way to sneak in some heaviness into the songs. I always love when a pop punk band can combine both the conventions of the early 2000s style and the currently popular heavy nature that New Found Glory made so famous all those years ago. Songs like “Letters”, with its nostalgic 2000's SoCal vibe and breakdown-heavy bridge, and “Road to Nowhere”, which has an absolutely huge heavy section, are perfect examples of this generational spanning that Mia Mia! does so well. Pop punk purists now in their 30s and younger kids will both equally find something to enjoy in Punski’s venerable project.
The lyrics come to shine in some of the quieter songs, like the lo-fi album closer “Scrambled Eggs”. Punski urges the audience to listen during a softer moment, “I’ve said it before / I’ll say it again / Stay positive”. He’s seen enough bleakness in his day to know that it’s better for everyone to stay together. Insight continues on “Morals are for Mortals” where the line, “There’s more to life than circles and routine”, really hits home for someone like me, getting older and older and, indeed, gravitating towards a less interesting lifestyle.
But that’s why I’m thankful Mia Mia!’s “Home Recordings” made its way into my life on this grey winter day. It’s hard to stay positive when both the weather and the world seem to be trying so hard to keep you down, so some inspiring, upbeat pop punk tunes were just what I needed. Mia Mia! only recently made their way onto the internet radar, but in that time they've already secured a spot with a great management team, iQ Management, and have debuted some of their songs on the “Unsigned Punk” website. I can’t wait for everyone to be able to hear “Home Recordings” in its entirety (which won't be long; the album releases through High Risk Production, Inc. 2/3/2014, and will be available at every major digital music outlet)—it’s the exact light of hope that everyone needs as these days get shorter and our skies turn greyer.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/miamiaband
Reverbnation:
http://www.reverbnation.com/miamiaband
Find Exclusive Tracks For Mia Mia! At:
http://www.unsignedpunk.com/music/miamia
By: Max Puhala
Punski certainly has a knack for recalling some of the greats in the punk genre. Immediately during the blazing fast opening track, “Stuck Like You”, I thought of NOFX and some of their best tunes from the “Punk in Drublic” days. The drums move at unstoppable speeds while the tight vocal harmonies never let up for a second. During the following track, “Over the Hill”, the lead guitarist shows that he can do far more than just play octaves and fast powerchords, unleashing a euphoric Hefe-style solo over the continuously pounding rhythm section. Here, Punski reminds me of a “Dude Ranch”-era Mark Hoppus with his lower register delivery.
Fast punk isn't all that Mia Mia! has to offer, though, additionally finding a way to sneak in some heaviness into the songs. I always love when a pop punk band can combine both the conventions of the early 2000s style and the currently popular heavy nature that New Found Glory made so famous all those years ago. Songs like “Letters”, with its nostalgic 2000's SoCal vibe and breakdown-heavy bridge, and “Road to Nowhere”, which has an absolutely huge heavy section, are perfect examples of this generational spanning that Mia Mia! does so well. Pop punk purists now in their 30s and younger kids will both equally find something to enjoy in Punski’s venerable project.
The lyrics come to shine in some of the quieter songs, like the lo-fi album closer “Scrambled Eggs”. Punski urges the audience to listen during a softer moment, “I’ve said it before / I’ll say it again / Stay positive”. He’s seen enough bleakness in his day to know that it’s better for everyone to stay together. Insight continues on “Morals are for Mortals” where the line, “There’s more to life than circles and routine”, really hits home for someone like me, getting older and older and, indeed, gravitating towards a less interesting lifestyle.
But that’s why I’m thankful Mia Mia!’s “Home Recordings” made its way into my life on this grey winter day. It’s hard to stay positive when both the weather and the world seem to be trying so hard to keep you down, so some inspiring, upbeat pop punk tunes were just what I needed. Mia Mia! only recently made their way onto the internet radar, but in that time they've already secured a spot with a great management team, iQ Management, and have debuted some of their songs on the “Unsigned Punk” website. I can’t wait for everyone to be able to hear “Home Recordings” in its entirety (which won't be long; the album releases through High Risk Production, Inc. 2/3/2014, and will be available at every major digital music outlet)—it’s the exact light of hope that everyone needs as these days get shorter and our skies turn greyer.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/miamiaband
Reverbnation:
http://www.reverbnation.com/miamiaband
Find Exclusive Tracks For Mia Mia! At:
http://www.unsignedpunk.com/music/miamia
By: Max Puhala