Hailing from Moncton NB, the Ramonescore quartet of The Follow Ups is delivering their veteran punk rock experience on their new album. …Don’t Like You Either is the sophomore follow-up to their debut EP, The Half Of It. With multiple songs having a touch of the macabre it’s only fitting that the album is set for official release on Halloween. Better get your candy bowls ready because it’s a pretty “sweet” listen.
“The album title is just tongue-in-cheek humour. We always operate under the assumption that people don’t like us or won’t once they meet us,” says guitarist and vocalist Mike Kizer.
“The whole horror contingent in the songs just comes from the old adage: ‘write what you know.’ We’re all old horror movie hacks and general weirdos of all varieties.”
The album is what you’d expect if you took The Ramones, The Follow Ups, and Bela Lugosi, thrown them all into a blender and turned up the volume and speed to the highest level. Out would pour …Don’t Like You Either.
Starting off with “Nancy Pelosi.” the song’s yrics will give you a good laugh as The Follow Ups get cheeky with the Speaker of the House. The song’s fast action drumming and catchy riff barrel through at the traditional two-minutes-or-under pace, opening the album with a short-but-sweet introduction that’s more fun than political.
And as if the current state of American politics weren’t scary enough the band dive straight into their classic horror film theme from there. “Love Letter From The Black Lagoon” throws us into the perspective of the monster from the well known 1950’s movie “Creature Of The Black Lagoon,” before delivering their ode to Jason Vorhees of “Friday the 13th” game with “Crystal Lake.”
“Depth of Character” strays slightly away from their usual style and throws us back to an almost mid 90’s grunge era. Tie your flannel around your waist and get ready to jump around to this one. The energy doesn’t let up – all the way from Jamie O’s heavy bassline to the swift footwork of Greg Mac on the drums.
“’Depth of Character’ is a song written after a work incident where my big mouth almost sunk me and more loosely mental instability as a whole. It’s a running theme in our work,” laughs Kizer.
“Monsters” and “No Remedy” may sound familiar to you, if you happened to pick up a copy of their EP back in 2018. The two tracks still manage to hold an integral place on this album keeping the pace all the way until the end.
The final track “Burning It Down” does not lack in intensity as they throw this three minute burst of pent up fury into our eardrums. As it fades out with sirens we can only assume the firetruck is coming to put out the flames.
“I’m not responsible for the songs we create and I’m not sure how they get in there. The universe just slaps them in my head and it’s only my job to be the conduit and get them out.” says Kizer
You can catch The Follow Ups in October as they embark on their tour to support the new album.
Tour Dates:
10.03.19 – Sherbrooke, QC @ Le Murdoch
10.04.19 – Ottawa , ON @ Avant-Garde
10.05.19 – Montreal, QC @ Traxide
10.06.19 – TBD, QC
10.11.19 – Moncton, NB @ Caveau
10.12.19 – Halifax, NS @ Radstorm
10.19.19 – Saint John, NB @ Panic Room