Audio-Files
Never mind the pop-punk bollocks, it's The Unseen Punk purists keep it political, powerful and real
By Megan Carneal
mcarneal@mscd.edu
As record store shelves overflow with sugary bubble-gum pop bands that have the audacity to call themselves "punk," it's easy to give up, toss the world the finger and declare that real punk is dead.
Easy, but wrong.
Before sending flowers, punk purists should take a look at The Unseen. The quartet consists of Mark (vocals), Scott (guitar), Tripp (bass), and Pat Melzard (drums). Since banding together in Boston 10 years ago, The Unseen have grown a healthy following by sticking to a politically-charged, ear-splitting sound, first showcased on Lower Class Crucifixion, their 1997 debut album.
Recently, the band switched record labels from BYO Records to the highly respected Hellcat Records. They spent the better part of last winter in the studio, recording their fifth full length, State of Discontent.
State of Discontent marks the arrival of The Unseen as a full-fledged force in punk rock. The album is not as rough as their four previous releases-a change that's to be expected with the move to a bigger label. The difference shows in the album's sharp mixing, done by Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records and member of the influential band Bad Religion.
Gurewitz was not the only big name to have a hand in the album. Ken Casey (of the fellow Boston band, Dropkick Murphys) produced the album. Lars Frederiksen of Rancid also dropped in to lend his distinctive vocals to two tracks.
Resentment from fans is also to be expected when a punk rock band switches to a bigger label. It's a pitfall of a scene that seems to insist that poverty and obscurity are the only true measures of credibility. The band is used to it.
"We're the type of band that doesn't catch much slack now," he said. "Three years ago, we started doing stuff our fans weren't really into ... we shot a video ... we did Warped Tour twice."
The Unseen have always possessed a unique sound. They blend different genres together so flawlessly that labeling them is a tricky task. The drumming is intense and obviously hardcore inspired, but they are not a hardcore band. The lyrics and vocals are furious, political, and anthem-like, but they don't like to be called street punk. Their hooks are melodic and extremely catchy, but calling them pop-punk is a good way to get a steel-toed boot stuck in a very uncomfortable place. So what are they? They're punk and they're damn good; those are the only labels they need.
There's no doubt their sound has changed a bit over the last 10 years, but it doesn't mean they've sold out. "We do what we want to do ... we are still the same band, though," Mark said. When 16 and 17-year-old fans become angry with them for changing, he turns the question on them. "I ask them, were you thinking the same at 7?"
In a ballsy, but brilliant move, The Unseen cover The Rolling Stones classic "Paint it Black." The band thought the track was missing something, so they brought in another guest, Dicky Barret of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Barret's vocals are creepy, raspy and compliment the song perfectly. They really make this song their own, and it makes for one of the few truly exceptional versions of an oft-covered standard.
Despite the changes, the album should satisfy fans who are hoping for more of the same intense, high-energy punk with integrity that the band is known for. "It's in no means mellow or watered down," Mark said.
As an added incentive to get those weary punk bones out of the house, The Unseen is doing their first-ever tour with the band A Global Threat. Mark had a short-lived stint playing with A Global Threat and released their first full-length album on his own record label, ADD Records. Given the history these two bands share, this show should offer plenty of energy.
"The Denver Warped Tour ... and the last Bluebird show were awesome ... and it's two great bands together for the first time ever," Mark said.
