Days N´Daze had not come across my radar until now. I was curious about what to expect from their new album “Show me the Blueprint”.
As a well-prepared writer, I naturally did some research beforehand to see what would be coming out of my speakers. I was quite surprised to read that this band has been around since 2008 and has already released seven albums, including two in 2013. Days N´Daze is a band from Texas. The state of Texas is not a bad reference for bands, as many good bands come from there. Additionally, the album was released on Fat Wreck Chords, and both Fat Mike and El Hefe from NO FX are featured as guests on the album.
So the album must be good.
Let’s get the fun started and turn up the volume.
Days N´Daze begin in a somewhat different way than many bands that dive straight into the song due to the pressure of streaming services. The first few seconds sound like a recording straight from the rehearsal room, with final adjustments before it kicks off.
Kicking off should be taken literally here. There’s no running or sprinting. The tempo is neither too fast nor too slow. There’s not much amplification; acoustic folk-punk comes out of the speakers. The first impression is not a bad one. Two-part and gender-inclusive vocals, tempo changes, nice guitar playing, and good pressure are present.
It remains almost completely unamplified and thus leans more towards folk. What’s unusual is that the voices of Jesse and Whitney are very rough and sometimes even quite unruly. Do you have to be able to sing or create a pleasant sound with your voice to sing or make music?
It’s not folk music in the classical sense, as the music is too punky, almost scruffy.
It’s certainly not true punk rock, at least not if you consider electronically amplified music as punk rock.
However, if punk rock is defined more broadly as “Do your thing! Do what you enjoy!”, then this music is definitely punk rock. The band gives the impression that they just came from a festival in the backwoods and play carefree. It fits very well that the band also plays instruments like washboard, trumpet, ukulele, mandolin, and banjo.
Anyone who enjoys a folky sound that is definitely a bit offbeat should give this band a chance, or rather, should definitely give this band a chance.
