Submarine Races / S/t

In The Red

Up periscope, sailor! There’s some hot-rocking on the horizon. Submarine Races are a threesome of arty rocker-types from Chicago, Illinois. Started by guitarist/vocalist/explorer Ian Adams (Happy Supply, The Ponys), drummer/seaman Paul John Higgins, and bassist/best mate Steve Denekas (Entertainment, The Countdown), the ’Races borrow freely from the entire Easybeats catalogue, commandeer the Modern Lovers’ understated efficiency, and all but sleep with the entirety of mid-to-late 1980’s twee, British guitar-pop bands. Submarine Races’ signature sound is both calculated to be derivative and absolutely authentic. Considering the current state of rock’s apish bravado and emotionally impaired dildo-ery, these guys remind you why you put The Pastels on mix tapes in the first place. They also happen to know what a good haircut can do for a young band’s confidence in “the game.” With a handful of jangled melodies, some polite lyrics, and plenty of charm, the group has its coordinates set for your stereo. Let’s just hope they don’t “deep-six” you when your hatch is cracked.  Submarine Races’ self-titled debut release was recorded in Chicago at El Goodo Audio. They even used the sonar recording technology found in the Soviet Alpha Class Diesel-Electric Attack Submarines! No joke. The band hope to sell an immeasurable amount of records, as long as piracy (both on the internet and at sea) is kept at bay. Nevertheless, their popularity is surely surfacing —supporting top acts such as The Dirtbombs, Maximo Park, and The Sights in the first week of their existence, The ’Races’ reputation for rocking and passionate live appearances has lead to consistent attendance at subsequent headlining shows. When they aren’t “jamming,” members of Submarine Races enjoy making out, necking, hanging out at sailor bars, and watching Denekas’s VHS copy of Das Boot.

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