The Missing Frets
Chestertown, Maryland, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
Artist bio’s are notoriously optimistic, perhaps describing the sound and style that a band are aiming for rather than the one that they are currently pedalling. You often see names used as references which pique your interest, iconic bands which have played a significant part in your own musical education and when you do you immediately think…is this wishful thinking or is this going to live up to my expectations for once? And that is exactly what went through my mind when I saw those two glorious words…Midnight and Oil in The Missing Frets bio.
And I am happy, more than happy, to report that for a change, it is a reference which fits and that the band do have the same pop-rock approach, the same deftness in their writing albeit with a bit of a bluesy American twang to their groove. Enough similarity to make you question, why you haven’t played Diesel and Dust in far too long and enough originality to make you want to play Pipe Dreams instead.
Cartel Sage is a sassy country-rock ride and Unstuck introduces a wonderfully indigenous vibe, here garnered from the sounds of Africa due to the roots of the band lying there and Crossroads is a brooding, clattering, complex weave of blues and rock with the rough edges left on.
It’s a great album, it’s as simple as that, heavy enough to please the rock fraternity and smart enough to tick boxes with the more discerning musical set. Fantastic. - DANCING ABOUT ARCHITECTURE
The Missing Frets are an alternative rock band that really outshine the boundaries of genre. Comprised of members Shaun Lovell (guitar), Bindu Lovell (bass), and Johnny Martin (drums), the group initially formed in South Africa and maintain their cutting-edge sound after their relocation to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Missing Frets have a remarkable sound and a keen sense of originality that is very inspiring, to say the least.
The band’s new 5-song EP Pipe Dreams is a brilliant effort! The Missing Frets demonstrate that musical craftsmanship and meaningful lyricism is the core of their sound. Beginning with its opening track Cartel Sage, Pipe Dreams is a wonderful musical journey that draws upon elements of blues, folk-rock, and soul. In many ways, The Missing Frets’ creative ingenuity is reminiscent of legendary acts like U2, Coldplay, and Band of Skull. Pipe Dreams by The Missing Frets is filled with the nostalgia that makes rock music so special. - Warlock Asylum International News
The Missing Frets embraces the roots of Americana with the potent “Pipe Dreams”. Vocals have an earnest quality to them as they opt for a sense of poetry. Arrangements too emphasize the journey that the group embarks upon. Done with such crystal clarity the songs have a force of nature quality to them. Rhythms opt for a driving, roaming spirit. Guitars too go for a western twang, just the right amount of bone-dry disposition. With just the right amount of looseness they make sure the tracks have a dreamy disposition to them, featuring riffs that rise up into the sky.
Nowhere is this more evident than on the colossal trip of the opener “Cartel Sage”. Echoing distorted angular guitar work opens up the giddy spirit of “Nothing In Between”. Featuring a swinging style the whole piece teems with a tremendous amount of life. By far the highlight of the album comes from the powerful “Unstuck”. Simply washing over the listener there is a defiant spirit that helps to infuse the piece with so much hope. The nimble bass work introduces the potent “Crossroads”. By taking its time it goes for a lovely approach. Distortion reigns supreme over the tribal nature of “Run” where the drums go for a ceremonial quality for the many layers intermingle to deliver something that feels delightfully carefree.
“Pipe Dreams” has a distinctly classic vibe, showing the Missing Frets to be true masters of their craft. - Beach Sloth
Tackling the topic of “how we are all connected through the mental struggle to find meaning in our existence,” The Missing Frets’ new track “Bodhi Tree” shows the Philly act successfully pursuing a haunting, affecting sound that integrates rock and folk, akin to R.E.M.’s heyday. The “meant to be / fire in the sea,” escalation just past the one-minute mark is striking, the brisk guitar work and vocal presence combining for a memorable aesthetic. With a sound that recalls R.E.M. as well as The Waterboys’ shanty-like charm, The Missing Frets are churning out a successful style and vein of songwriting on “Bodhi Tree”. - Mike Mineo
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Discography
The Missing Frets, Pipe Dreams, April 2020
The Missing Frets, Bodhi Tree, May 2018
Photos
Bio
Chugging rhythms, chunky guitar riffs, evoked by South African roots The Missing Frets break the mould of traditional genre categorisation with their sound of Alt, Indie, Blues, African Rockabilly. Crafted together by metaphoric and thought provoking lyrics, they infuse a sound remnant of iconic band Midnight Oil, with a modern flare like Of Monsters and Men and The Stone Foxes.
Reaching number 80 on the National College Radio Charts and landing rotation on a hundred and twenty plus college stations across the the USA in 2018-2019 with the release of their self produced album Bodhi Tree. The Missing Frets recently completed recording their first debut studio album, Pipe Dreams, which was released April 2020. The album received rave reviews and landed airplay on Radio stations in Australia and the USA, along with features in Vents Magazine and Making a Scene. The band saw their video for Cartel Sage, the single off the album, receive an amazing response with over 200,000 views to date.
Band Members
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