Getting your band signed to Hopeless Records is no mean feat. The home of household names such as Thrice, Guttermouth, Samiam and Dillinger Four to name but a few of its alumni is now in its twenty second year and remains one of the most respected labels in punk rock, and despite their tender years Roam are only the second UK band ever to join their roster.
The five-piece from Eastbourne on the sunny South Coast play a brand of pop punk that pulls its influences from all over the noughties. Listening to the opener (‘Over Your Head’) from this new EP, I immediately heard the likes of Belvedere and The Swellers through their fast, upbeat and melodic sound which retains a technically intelligent edge.
At the same time they very much keep the ‘pop’ aspect of their genre at the fore, with a real feel good factor to the lyrics and plenty of hooks and harmonies that their take cues from Fall Out Boy and Set Your Goals. They wear their favourite bands on their sleeves as well as their tee shirts and it’s interesting to hear a young group so heavily influenced by a newer generation of musicians rather than the usual Epi/Fat staples of the 90s.
The vocals from frontman Alex Costello are sharp, bright and bursting with enthusiasm, hurtling along at the same breakneck speed as the riffs from guitarists Alex Adam and Sam Veness. 2015 is shaping up to be a frankly incredible year for these lads as they head to the US at the back end of February and spend March tearing up the States before a European tour in April and a full UK tour in May.
It’s clear to see that Hopeless have seen some real promise in them and if you take a listen to this EP you’ll see what they’re getting at. For pop punk at its most energetic and exuberant, you really need look no further.
4/5
‘Viewpoint’ EP by Roam is out now on Hopeless Records.
Roam links: Facebook|Twitter|Bandcamp
Words by Alex Phelan (@listen_to_alex)
