Lightmares.

I grew up in a relatively small northern Ontario city called Sudbury. We don't really have a claim to fame as far as musical exports, but in my formative years, I got to experience and take part in a healthy music community that encompassed all different types of bands; very unique bands. If you'll indulge me, I would like to point you to one band in particular, and that's Lightmares. I had seen them play numerous times before in their garage for what must have felt like a year before they recorded their first EP. When they finally released it, I was already intimately familiar with the songs, but now all the little details were on display instead of being lost in the blaring atmosphere of that tiny space. Every once in a while, those songs will pop up again and I am reminded of just how awesome that band is. From what I can remember, the band was heavily influenced by alternative stoner and 'slacker' 90s rock bands like Pavement and Weezer, but they incorporated a little more punk aggression and speed. The forceful and creative drumming from Zack Tymchuk especially spoke to me as I remember watching him playing with reckless abandon and thinking how incredibly free he must have felt in those moments. I've also had the opportunity to jam with bassist Nicholas Millard and realized how much of an insane talent he is. It always amazed me how he could finger-pick these punk basslines and still strike with power and precision. And lastly, we have Jamie Millard, who's wacky, out-of-tune, gutsy vocal delivery is immediately attention grabbing.

All of this is exhibited on their first EP. Ghost! You're a Liar opens with a speedy tom groove accented by some quick stick hits and I love the ascending/descending chord progression. I also love the instrumental breakdown towards the end where we get some tasteful tambourine action. The six and a half minute epic Death Of the Handicaptain, which in hindsight is maybe an unfortunate title, is an amazingly written tune. The choruses have this start/stop rhythm that's really exciting while the verses are quite lumbering as Jamie tells the cowardly tale of a ship captain ending his own life, leaving his crew to go down in a sinking ship. And then we have We Blew Up the Art School which is an absolutely insane, no-wave, punk rager à la Blood Brothers. Both Jamie and Nicholas Millard deliver unhinged vocal performances, the bassline is dizzying, and Tymchuk goes absolutely wild on the drums. All these years later and this song is still just as thrilling as the day I first heard it.

Some songs are a little indulgent in terms of song length, as I feel like some tracks drag on a little too long. Spit Out the Sun, while necessary as a cool down moment and for the way it transitions seamlessly into Art School, is not the most exciting or catchy tune on the EP. To this day, the band is still kicking and have even released music as recently as last year. I may have to catch up with what's been going on with the band since they are such a talented and expressive group.