Now here's a true New Jersey punk rock super group! The Sad Tomorrows are Jeff Schroeck, Mike Hunchback, J Nixon, and Brian Gorsegner. That lineup encompasses membership in Night Birds, Psyched To Die, Black Wine, Hunchback, Nervous Triggers, The Ergs!, and too many other bands to mention. With this band, these Garden State scene veterans have honed in on a musical aesthetic that's near and dear to my heart: the intersection of punk-pop and late '80s/early '90s indie/alternative rock. The Sad Tomorrows are in many ways similar to Character Actor, Schroeck and Gorsegner's excellent indie-pop project from a few years back. The Sad Tomorrows refine the concept of Character Actor, introducing a new favorite band for those who can't get enough of Husker Du, the Lemonheads, Soul Asylum, ALL, early Goo Goo Dolls, etc. The band's debut EP has already sold out a full pressing of 100 cassette tapes but is still available in digital form from Don Giovanni Records. Recorded by Chris Pierce and mastered by Stephen Egerton, this EP sounds like it could have come out on cassingle on a major label 30 years ago. It recalls that brief but glorious moment of indie rock leaping into the mainstream before it all turned to shit. I especially like the crisp melodic punk of "Long Vibration" and the vintage '92 alt rock power pop of "Unsustainable Practices". Any time Jeff Schroeck is writing and singing songs, I am here for it. With this band, he and his pals are really hitting a sweet spot for me. Fingers crossed for more Sad Tomorrows!
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