The Anxieties - Mission Failure

The Anxieties' latest album has been quite a long time in the making. Seriously: in the years it took the Portland foursome to get Mission Failure made, the band's lyrics had to be re-categorized from science fiction to non-fiction. All of that paranoia, distrust of the government-entertainment complex, and wariness of constant surveillance don't seem too far-fetched at a time when our televisions are literally recording our conversations and artificial intelligence can recognize our faces in photographs. Alexa, play The Anxieties!

To the best of my knowledge, this is the Anxieties' first full album of new material since Under Surveillance, which was recorded back in 2009-2010. The band started writing Mission Failure a decade ago, but a series of lineup changes led to a number of delays in the completion of the record. One thing led to another, and suddenly Scott Von Rocket and company were considering that the album title was turning into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Perseverance ultimately prevailed, and here we are in 2019 with a new Anxieties full-length finally in our possession (LP release to be announced). Man, do we ever need this band more than ever! Mission Failure is probably the most focused display yet of The Anxieties' musical vision. These songs re-imagine the surf-inflected melodic punk of early '80s southern California for our 21st Century dystopia, with a touch of that post Dirtnap Records garage punk/pop in the mix as well. The title track has the band emphasizing melody more than ever before, while "Atlantis Rising" flexes surf rock instrumental chops in a major way. But more than anything else, this album finds The Anxieties ripping it up old school style. Six of 14 tracks don't even hit the two-minute mark, and several more barely exceed it. Songs like "Blank Stares", "Hypnotised", "Panic Room", and "Radio Silence" are fast and frantic thrillers - fully exuding the anxious tenor of our times. There's a spastic quality to many of these songs that has long been a hallmark of Von Rocket's bands. And that perfectly fits The Anxieties' brave new world vibe. While many of these songs were written by a much earlier version of this band, the new lineup sounds amazing and definitely manages to put its own stamp on the material. Pretty much everyone who's been in The Anxieties over the past decade has had a hand in making this album what it is. And you never really mind waiting for a record when it turns out this awesomely. Mission Failure is highly recommended listening whether you're skateboarding, circle dancing, or privately contemplating your growing dread of science gone too far.



-L.R.

https://theanxieties.bandcamp.com/album/mission-failure 
https://www.facebook.com/theanxieties 

The Anxieties - Buried Alive

In preparing this review, I was shocked to discover that it has been four and a half years since I've written about The Anxieties! Where does all the time go? I know that real life issues have led to some extensive periods of inactivity for The Anxieties, but I appreciate that they've never thrown in the towel. This band is way too cool to not exist! I'm notoriously lukewarm on horror-themed punk music, but I absolutely love The Anxieties. That's probably because they mix the horror with a whole lot of sci-fi/dystopia - which is way more up my alley.

I recall The Anxieties' Buried Alive EP being in the works a couple years ago, and I am happy to report that those songs have finally seen the light of day. Those tracks have been packaged with the three songs from the Lab Rats EP, the two-song The Quarantine digital release, and one comp cut to make one ten-song CD that plays like a full-length. The four new songs feature the band's most recent lineup, and they sound fantastic. "Destination Dystopia" reminds me of early Anxieties - mixing spazzy poppy punk with old school California punk influences. Listening to the lyrics about how we're well on our way to an actual dystopia, you might think this song is a response to recent current events. But I'm pretty sure this song was written a few years back. That confirms something I've long suspected: The Anxieties are actually from the future! "Buried Alive" is an Adolescents/Agent Orange inspired ripper that cleverly employs a horror metaphor for the hopelessness and desperation of working a miserable job. "I Don't Wanna Go" is the perfect mix of horror and sci-fi, and it's just mysterious enough to let your imagination run wild. Seriously: where are they taking him?! In the best way possible, I am creeped out! Musically, the vibe is straight-ahead catchy punk with killer melodic leads. For the first time, I can hear The Anxieties' channeling their alter egos Jabronis. Or maybe it's more like the Buzzcocks binge watching Black Mirror! Speaking of songs that leave a great deal to the imagination, "Experiments in the Basement" is a very well done surf/punk instrumental. Even with there being no words, it's easy to picture this song appearing in a movie about....experiments in a basement!

Even if you already own all of the remastered bonus tracks, Buried Alive is well worth picking up just for the four new songs. Otherwise, this is kind of like getting a whole new Anxieties album! This is definitely the perfect band for our times: influenced equally by the fun of '50s/'60s B-movies and the not-so-fun of our modern reality. Fingers crossed for more music from these guys soon!



-L.R.

https://theanxieties.bandcamp.com/album/buried-alive-with-remastered-bonus-tracks 
https://www.facebook.com/theanxieties 

Anxieties attack!

These are very exciting times in the world of The Anxieties! The Portland band has a brand-spanking new 7" out called "Lab Rats" and has also made its "lost" album Under Surveillance available as a name your price download.

When The Anxieties issued Return To The Nowhere Zone two years ago, I was really blown away by how far the band had come from its earlier releases. So naturally, I was stoked about this current lineup releasing more studio material. We finally get some with "Lab Rats" - and as expected this is the best stuff yet from Scott VonRocket and his partners in thoughtcrime! The Anxieties have fully realized the sound they've been working towards all these years. Think classic early '80s So-Cal punk (Adolescents, Agent Orange, D.I.) with a contemporary dystopian motif. If Snake Plissken had an iPod, these songs would be on it. This time out, it's less science fiction and more science fact - with songs about society's enslavement to the corporate/pharmaceutical complex and man's growing disconnection from the modern world. The title track is a fast and frantic ripper with the best lead guitar work I've ever heard from The Anxieties. "The Obsolete Man", the only truly "new" song on the record, is in a similar vein and really plays up the surfy riffing. "Friday Night", written and sung by (now former) bass player Matt Adore, closes the record with something a little different from The Anxieties. It's more Misfits than Adolescents - coming on with a sing-along rockin' style and cool "ohh ohh" backups. It actually reminds me a little of The Bodies (remember them?). While it's kind of an oddball track compared to the other two songs, I really like the variety it adds. It's a fun song to cap off the record, and you locals should definitely hope it remains in the band's set!

Under Surveillance was recorded way back in 2009 but never released due to a series of obstacles the band encountered (members quitting, a van breakdown, a cancelled tour). Finally it sees the light of day, and I'm very glad it does. Two things come to mind as I listen to Under Surveillance. One is that The Anxieties are a very different band now than they were then (which makes sense, since VonRocket is the only remaining member). And the other is that it's a freaking killer record! You can hear hints of what The Anxieties have become - touches of surf guitar and the techno-totalitarian themes of the title track. But if you're not familiar with some of the band's older recordings, you may be surprised to hear such a high degree of Ramones and Rip Off Records influence in these songs. And some of these tunes are among my favorite Anxieties tracks ever. "Staring Daggers" is a snotty, high-energy blast, while "Telepathy" is a ripping '77 punk/new wave mash-up a la The Fuses. And if these guys have never opened their live show with the super-fun "T​-​Minus Four", they really ought to consider it! Hearing this album helps me understand how The Anxieties got from The Next Mutation to Return To The Nowhere Zone. It wasn't like they procured performance enhancing substances from the future and became a new band overnight. In fact, if I put Under Surveillance and Return To The Nowhere Zone up against each other, I'd have to say they are very different but equally good. And I love Return To The Nowhere Zone! 

"Lab Rats" should be out on vinyl within the next couple of weeks. It's already available digitally for $3. Head on over to The Anxieties' Bandcamp page for ordering information. You can also download Under Surveillance for free or perhaps kick in a few dollars that might help these guys fund their next LP. Do it before Big Brother forbids it! 

-L.R. 

http://theanxieties.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theanxieties

Return To The Nowhere Zone

It’s an idea that a number of bands have tried before: re-record a bunch of old songs and make a “new” album. So why does the concept so rarely work? Perhaps because in a lot of instances, the whole exercise seems pointless. And far too often, the new versions of the songs are nowhere near as good as the originals (D.I.’s Caseyology, anyone?). But in the case of The Anxieties, it all makes perfect sense. They always seemed to me like a band that had only scratched the surface of their potential. You could tell what kind of music they were trying to make, but they weren’t 100 percent there yet. In the ensuing years, they’ve really figured out how to get the sound they want in the laboratory, I mean, studio. And with all due respect to past members, their current lineup is surely their best yet. On top of that, after a few years you really get a sense of which songs are worth re-recording and which ones aren’t. It all adds up to Return to the Nowhere Zone, far and away the best thing the Anxieties have ever released. I’m telling you, man: the thing flat-out kills!

Return to the Nowhere Zone is a frenetic delight. It comes off like an apocalyptic mash-up of early ‘80s Southern Californian melodic hardcore, late ‘90s Rip Off Records trash, and a Red Bull fueled all-night sci-fi and horror movie marathon. If not quite as dark as Sharp Objects or as unhinged as the Night Birds, The Anxieties are very much in the same vein and not lacking in social commentary of their own. In fact, it’s tempting to look at these songs and view the album as some kind of dire critique of the high strangeness that is our world in the year 2012. But keep in mind that a lot of these tunes were written like five or six years ago! With fully realized production and a tighter, speedier attack, The Anxieties really break out on this release and establish themselves as one of the top punk bands out there. Songs rarely exceed the two-minute barrier, and even at its darkest this album is fast-paced and fun. Von Rocket’s spastic vocals and humorous, socially aware lyrics have always been on point. Here they resonate like never before, buoyed by a Zero Boys meets Adolescents old school blitzkrieg and a heavy dose of surf guitar. Check out “Nowhere Zone” or “Do The Suicide” or “(The) De-Evolution (Will Be Televised)”. Pretty great, eh? I can’t help but envision a circle pit full of androids and Martians tearing it up from start to finish. This is not quite the same old Anxieties. It’s more like The Anxieties on 24th Century performance enhancers secretly acquired from alien scientists (Shhhh! I shouldn’t be telling!). No doubt their next album is gonna be scary good (the demos on Bandcamp are sounding very Fuses-esque). In the meantime, Return to the Nowhere Zone ought to whet your appetite just fine. And the download’s only five bucks? That’s cheap! Clearly The Anxieties love you. You should love them back!

-L.R.

http://theanxieties.bandcamp.com/album/return-to-the-nowhere-zone
http://www.facebook.com/theanxieties