From time to time we hear at Times Boredom get requests to review records that, frankly,… baffle us in terms of where they came from and how they got our decidedly obscure contact info. We do remember, however, that at some point a few years ago (when we had way more staff and energy) that we agreed to review everything we were sent. Since that time, we forgot we had an Instagram page (personally we’ve been trying to get out of the metaverse, however, perhaps that shouldn’t extend to our ‘business’ — and we do mean ‘business’ LOLOMFUG), yet we’ve continued to receive requests to review records through our Instagram page for years now that we haven’t seen until now. Our apologies. We’ll get to what we get to; we’re always happy to hear new independent music.

This is one of said requests we hadn’t seen until now that we actually first received back in ’23. A group called the Grandstand Jockeys requested we review their initial offering “Win” ep. This was one such baffling case; the description of the group did not say where they were from. What we did recognize was their reference Dan Dinsmore of Overit Studios, located only a few blocks from our headquarters in the Helderberg neighborhood of Albany New York (a couple of our bands have checked out the space as a potential studio to record our albums and it seemed like a really cool space). The description also mentioned that Dinsmore put founding member Ron Burris in touch with Dave Parker “(of Coheed and Cambria fame)” — ok, now we’re getting a hint of familiarity. We’ve heard of Coheed and Cambria and think they’ve got local connections…

But the driving force behind the self described “grunge pop group” The Grandstand Jockeys is Ron Burris. Espectially on the initially recordings where Ron plays drums, rhythm guitar, and vocals. Eric Braymer plays lead guitar, bass, and backup vocals.

The record is excellently produced. We really mean that. It has all the sheen and crispness of a classic 90s indie cd without any of the phony pretention that came along in the aughts where everyone has to autotune everything and play as many non-traditional instruments/synths/machines as possible. All the instruments come through clearly and every sound that’s meant to be heard (harmonies, guitar pedals, and all your other traditional rock/pop ingredients).

This probably comes way out of left field but the group really reminds us of 90s southern California group dada (remember that song ‘Diz-knee-land’ that received regular rotation on MTV? “I just flipped off President George, I’m going to Diz-Knee Land! Come on, I’m going to Diz Knee Land” (to avoid actual copyright protected names of real theme parks but not the name of one of the most famous underground art movements that changed so much in modern art it gave way to conceptual art, minimalism, the beats… everything — and yet they thought it was like this cute kitschy art movement they could just call their own — that was dada. Ok sorry that was a real old guy digression right there; The Grandstand Jockeys have nothing in common with dada other then their excellent use of dual pop vocal harmonies and some other indie pop nineties sound factors I really just wanted to wax nostalgic about dada, the band that was honestly the first real music review I ever actually did. Sorry again); the harmonies are sweet and somewhat countrified but always grounded in pop structures and hooks.

The EP starts out unusually with a sort of ska-pop track. But the clean sweet vocal harmonies and pedal oriented guitar effects almost completely cover over the ska strumming that you only sort of notice it. Unlike the unexpected ska rhythms of the first track, the rest of the the 4 songs on this introductory ep trod over well worn 90s style indie pop territory –which is probably why they call themselves ‘grunge’, though they bring to my mind mid nineties groups like Royal Jelly, Tom Petty more than say Nirvana — though they do sometimes remind me of grunge supergroup Mad Season… the influences are ecclectic to say the least. I don’t know if they listen to any of the groups I’ve mentioned but that’s who they bring to my mind. Maybe Eve 6, Better than Ezra, Lit — Semi Sonic maybe? Other groups that I never really got into but liked hearing on the radio in the nineties. Ah the nineties, when even the songs on the radio you weren’t really into were SO much better than any song on there today… sorry where was I? Senior moment!

In general this ep comes off as both classic and retro. It sounds good, nostalgic in a way that makes my writing a bit misty for the old days.. The lyrics are pretty standard indie nineties pop fare as well; pessimistic but honestly hopeful. Which I didn’t know was possible for a group that started in the twenty twenties.

A strong initial effort, though entirely retro and fairly unoriginal. The songwriting is solid; good pop songs like these are hard to write. This band could grow and become something interesting if they forge their own path. Well done guys.

Here’s a link to their video; https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/WhctKKXpTdTBtjLnHCFVDqKZLFhWgkDHhDVkTvBXzPtNKZdXhKlJLqZTpnBpfWlcwZMjTZq?projector=1