In an era that pre-dates the internet and endless grainy videos of live performances, a good haircut and the ability to play guitar solos could get you far. It could, for example, get you playing in a group impersonating a much more famous band and sent out on the road to play the hits. And it could get you in the studio, working long hours for little credit and not much of a paycheck.
Sure, if your solos or haircut were really impressive, you could even hope for more. A nice haircut-colorful jacket combo could get you on MTV. A super-impressive collection of guitar solos could get you noticed by music nerds. But what then? What steps could you really take to ensure a long-lasting musical career?
“It’s all about the songs, silly!” That’s what alt-rock duo Phwoar and their musical mentors believe. And, it’s certainly also about personality, wit and charisma and how much of that you manage to introduce into your music. The EP “Flowers Through the Concrete” is meant to prove that Phwoar have what is required to survive a few nice gimmicks.
Who doesn’t love Yngwie Malmsteen… for the whole of 2 minutes? But where do really good songs come from? Usually from just a few well-stitched-together power chords. “Reckless” is one of those songs. Inspired by power-pop maestros and able to write about addiction in a funny, relatable way, Phwoar is going for tunes that possess the quality of easily getting stuck in your head.
And while you’ll learn a few personal details about the duo, the 5-song EP is designed to be dynamic, to stop you from slipping into a lull. “Surge” is powered by a militarist electro-rock beat while the chorus pounds like barbarians on the gate.
Lead single “Waiting for the Sun” borrows a cue from original, highly palatable alt-rock groups like Placebo. In an era dominated by alternative acts, it’d be a tune destined for radio airplay.
Meanwhile, the title track, “Flowers Through the Concrete”, is a reflection on the near-constant angst with which we’re now treated through every day of our lives. All this nervous energy won’t create a new generation of hippies, but perhaps, it’ll lead to strong, gritty rock.
Where does it all leave us? On the EP’s closer, “Tryhard”, Phwoar’s two musicians trade lines back and forth about the state of the world and what might be required to find rest against a background of such loud static.
Phwoar’s songwriting has a thing or two to complain about. But the musicians are smart to wrap up all their grievances in humour, clever remarks, and quotable lines. The alt-rock always packs a powerful hook. This is an entertaining rock band, for sure, but not one willing to close its eyes to the ways of the world.
