It seems like a knock, doesn’t it, when you say that a rhythm section carries a band. It seems like you’re knocking the vocalist and guitar player. Like you’re dismissing them. Like you’re dismissing their contributions. So, I have to be careful here, when I say the rhythm section is carrying this band. This band is, of course, Stuttr and their new EP, Stuck in the Muck, is out now. Vocalist and guitarist, Jono Delivuk and Ralph Cabebe, aren’t to be ignored. Their playing is tight and vocals regimented. However, being a good vocalist (great vocalist, really) fades into the background when you have the hardcore equivalent of Jaco Pastorius and Taylor Hawkins in your band. Brie Dunphy (bass) and Heather Ross (drums) accidentally take center stage for the entire EP with a hypnotizing mix of talent and creativity.
Stuttr formed in 2018 at a house party with Cabebe, Delivuk and Dunphy and finalized their roster in 2020 with Ross on drums. Stuck in the Muck is the band’s second EP and first on legendary local label Early Onset Records. Early Onset is a non-profit, volunteer run group largely concerned with expanding Vancouver’s isolated punk scene. Label mates Brass recently released their own well received album.
Stuck in the Muck opens with ‘Medicate’. An immediate explosion of drums jolts you awake and readies you for a bass line that sounds like the lovechild of The Surfaris and Rancid. The song laments over-prescription and touches on mental health issues. The message here isn’t groundbreaking or particularly original but Cabebe and Delivuk’s vocals sell it like it is. ‘2 b tangoed’ sounds the closest to the band’s previous work. A cacophony of noise and brutally honest lyrics beat the song relentlessly; there’s practically a ‘please mosh here’ sign hanging on the track. Ross’ drums hold together the thrashing intensity with practiced precision while keeping the volume on eleven. ‘Nebraska’ hangs in the air like a gunshot; the initial spare guitar intro brings to mind the Bruce Springsteen album of the same name. The forlorn Americana is shattered as the fuzz pedal is flipped on. This track is the band’s creative peak and speaks volumes about where the group is headed. It’s PUP meets The Cure gone right. If you time it properly you can mosh and cry at the same time. Coasting along the outro Ross’ drums turn syrupy and make your finger itch for the repeat button. EP closer ‘Bob Mentality’ is another well executed hardcore track. Creative song breaks and layered instruments separate Stuttr from the mass of other local hardcore bands. An orchestra of shoegaze stimulated guitars is conducted by sharp snare hits and snappy bass melodies.
While the album oozes anxiety it doesn’t let you get lost in it. The militaristic precision and light melody of Dunphy and Ross allow waves of chaos to crash into the EP in the form of belted vocals and hectic guitars. In less words: Dunphy and Ross are the Coke and Cabebe and Delivuk are the Mentos.
