Stud Count released their debut self-titled album via Smartpunk Records. The Philly-based band has a little bit of everything – catchy pop hooks and soft indie-inspired elements balanced with hardcore punk aggression and aesthetics.
Alongside their trademark sound, they have the fashion sensibilities to match, as proven in their music videos for “Give Me Time’ and “Through My Window.” The album is a high-octane array of punk tracks destined to become a memorable Summer 2022 soundtrack:
“We’re so excited for the record to be out finally. We started writing these songs almost 3 years ago, and although the wait was tough at times, this is definitely the perfect summer for this LP. We all grew up with certain punk records defining our summers and hope this can be that for everyone else. Straight up can’t wait to play these songs everywhere we can ” – Stud Count
Counting such influences as Wipers, Garbage, and Husker Dü, Stud Count is a new Philadelphia-based band featuring familiar faces. The fresh endeavour is composed of current/former members of Drill Sergeant, The Dividing Line, Academy Order, Fluoride, Leashes, and Fixation. Combining an abrasive post-punk edge with a melodic undercurrent beneath it all, Stud Count features drummer Bret Hart, bassist Jake Beaver, vocalist Norelle Green, Max D’ambra and Matthew Green on guitars.
The group found its beginnings at the tail end of 2019, hanging out in a West Philly apartment. Founding member Matthew Green had written a demo’s-worth of ’77-style punk songs, seeking to combine the trademark hook-laden proto-punk sound of bands like Buzzcocks and The Undertones with the edge of modern hardcore.
Stud Count finally released their self-titled album offering catchy pop hooks and soft indie-inspired elements
Green and drummer Bret Hart had met earlier that year at a local gig while both of their bands at the time were touring steadily. After some concerted talk, Green and his wife Norelle took a week in the mountains to tighten up a handful of songs with Norelle on main vocals and Matthew on guitar.
Soon after, the band had their first practice, tracked their two-song Demonstration (2020), and planned their first performances. In January 2020, they were invited for a live interview and track premiere on Philadelphia’s Museum of Punk Radio Show and soon after booked their demo release show alongside Webbed Wing, Gel and Luxe.
Still riding the high of the gig, the group began to demo songs for a full LP. Unsure of when they’d be able to perform again when the pandemic hit, Matthew and Norelle took to the mountains again to distance track songs for the Pleasure Center Promo (2020, released on tape by Convulse) and tighten demos for a full LP.
Later that autumn, the band booked studio time with Zach Miller (Gel, Sick Shit, Fluoride, Academy Order), finishing up that December.
Still unsure of if or when shows would come back, they sat on the record until the summer of 2021 eventually finding their home on Florida’s Smartpunk Records. With the world opened up and their debut self-titled LP on the way out on July 15th, Stud Count stands to have a busy 2022.
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Author: Allan Bangirana
Allan Bangirana has a taste for all kinds of topics and usually writes about tech, entertainment, sports and community projects that make a difference in society.
He writes for Newslibre and Spur Magazine. He is also the co-founder of the Innovware project and a freelance consultant passionate about technology and web.
