NEWS4U MAY 2022 | MUSIC
1984x Tri-state trio based out of Jasper releases killer EP of "good old fashioned fight music"
W
hen JoXua H., the
mom's house in Jasper. She's been a
mastermind behind 1984x,
longtime supporter, willfully tolerating the
one of the tri-state's most
excessive noise produced by his various
gripping new bands, announces that he
projects over the years. Now that's love. I
hopes to inspire at least one kid to drop out
mean, would you allow your son's friends to
of school and play guitar, you know that he
infiltrate your inner sanctum and make an
means business. Don't be alarmed, he's
unholy racket? For a taste of that hilarious
only joking - but perhaps there's a kernel
scenario, check out the video for the
of truth in there somewhere based on the
album's centerpiece, "Home is Where You
visceral nature of the just-released 2X22 EP,
Make It," on YouTube. The track, cobbled
a 7-track assault of metal, punk and post-
together from previous song ideas - or
punk that makes you want to buck societal
that's how JoXua humbly suggests most
norms. Maybe even quit your day job and
of 2X22 came together ("I'm not the most
live off the land. Right from the sample-
creative of songwriters - lots of the songs
based intro of old school commercial
are kind of recycled from old bands") - is
snippets, it's clear that this is going to be an
a triumph, slowly evolving from a woozy,
experience, all right.
spidery guitar theme to chugging, fuzzedout power chords over which Curt wails the
It 's angry; it 's raw; it 's what music is supposed to
What follows, somewhat surprisingly, is the
title as if he's in agony, or longing for a new
opening jangle of "Tears of Brunswick" - an
life. Just brilliant.
be about: three guys in a
smoke and mirrors, because a minute in,
The EP is rounded out by the bipolar
room just bashing it OUT.
JoXua cranks up the distortion, paving the
"God May Forgive You (but I won't)," the
way for vocalist Curt X to crash the party
self-explanatory "May Cause Psychotic
with his commanding bark reminiscent of
Breaks from Reality" (fight music at its finest)
punk legend Ian MacKaye. Drummer Paul
and a re-recording of "Abaddon" from a
W. drives the powerful rhythm, sending
previous release. All ace tracks. Mark your
"Tears" hurtling along with abandon to its
calendars, because 1984x will play the
close. "Hyperactivity" then picks up the
whole shebang at the Vincennes Riverfront
baton and races full-speed ahead with
Pavilion (Curt's hometown) on May 7 - a
thrilling metal riffing, never stopping for a
free show to celebrate this amazing new EP.
breather. It's angry; it's raw; it's what music
And hopefully, the band will be able to hop
is supposed to be about: three guys in a
on another local bill soon.
almost pretty guitar line that's ultimately
room just bashing it out. For more info, follow 1984x on Facebook. Actually, 2X22 was recorded in JoXua's
40 | MAY 2022
2X22 is available on Bandcamp.
• www.evansvillemediagroup.com
