Uncle/Father Oscar

Philly/Delco four piece Uncle/Father Oscar recently released their debut EP Whami Guam Brad on Sorry Girl Records. Twinkly punk emo that swings from catchy guitar riffs to gang vocal shouts, Uncle/Father Oscar are welcome newcomers to the Philly scene. Being “twinkly” or “noodly” might not be the most original thing in the world, especially in Philadelphia (Algernon Cadwallader, Marietta), but it sounds awesome God dammit. There’s nothing better than singing along to peer-written lyrics while the guitar shreds over a powerful beat, and that’s exactly what we get on Whami Guam Brad. Oh, and if you don’t watch Arrested Development, that’s where the band name come from.

Opening with “Soccer Cousins,” the band tackles their own insecurities by yelling “I am not that bad / but I am not that good” as the full instrumentation explodes with a heavy thumping beat. Probably the most heartfelt track on the EP, it deals with staying quiet among friends who just don’t want to listen, and eventually just not wanting to be around them. On “Me, a Ham” the band compacts so many awesome lyrics into a two and a half minute thrill ride that it is impressive. You should definitely read all the lyrics on bandcamp, but the standout lines are “There’s quite a lot to digest by now / I’ll pump your stomach, leave room for more chewed cow / Wow, that’s quite a lot of thinking for a little ball of flesh / And if you model out the future, for the present leave the rest / Your chest is heaviest when emptiness invests”. The band creates such an accurate representation of something that is so relatable in these lyrics, and even continue doing so with the following description of hooking up with a false sense of comfort. This track is also filled with back and forth super fast riffs and shouting gang vocals that make it one of the best on the EP. Even the one minute lone “The Good News is… I Want Bees” is catchy and full of lyrics that are good reminders of the truth. As if the lyrics couldn’t get any better, “Weed TV” brings the lines “We’re older now, sex is sex / You need it like sleep, or another cigarette / You were in love, but now it’s gone / It’s over like your favorite song” that any struggling young adult can find meaning in. Also, this track is filled with the tightest riffs, awesome vocal deliveries, and the most blown up ending on the EP. “You, Sane Bolt” ends the album with some existential honesty, borrowing the famous line from Men In Black that shows how ignorant humans are in the grand scheme of things. Building up over that quote, the band explodes in a full on assault, truly exclaiming the lines “We’re a constant”.

The drums and bass were recorded at Philly Sound Studios, guitars and vocals were recorded in basements, all done by bassist Tom Conran (Pelican Audio) who also mixed the record. Finally, mastering was done by Mark Trewella at Full Circle Mastering. The album has a very good production value,

Pick up Whami Guam Brad on cassette via Sorry Girl Records here, or download it for “name your own price” via bandcamp. - PHILLYPUNK

Local pop-punk buds of Sister City and Uncle/Father Oscar recently teamed up on a split EP, made up of four songs bursting with an emotional mentality and pop-punk positivity.

“Earthbound & Down” comes out of the gate quick, hardly letting up on the fast guitar riffs, frenzied yet tight drum beats, or jam packed lyrical delivery. Vocalist and guitarist Adam Linder swiftly sings “I just talk a big game, stoke a big flame, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get burned!” and then goes on to admit “still I am fine, most of the time” in a relatable and sort of self-depreciating cycle. “Skyline” brings in heavy moments that smoothly transition between their quick, upbeat hooks. This track has some of their best fast paced moments, consisting of instrumental technicalities and modern existential lyrics like “So pick a myth or prescription, fill your head with either one / The pills and the liquids or the we shall overcomes / Sleep safe in the suburbs, sip your filtered water slow / And swallow the story as the capsule’s coating goes.” After unwinding into a lullaby, the track ends abruptly as Linder reminds of the cyclical patterns with which the song deals, “So if I never move again take me to where the skyline ends.”

Uncle/Father Oscar’s side of the split is comprised of raw, noodley jams led by intricate guitar riffs and upfront, shouting vocals. “Old Man Joyce Used to Fix Up Thunderbirds in Here (years & years ago)” contains crazy drum fills and numerous crafty guitar lines in the verses, while the vocals get cleaner in the chorus, “It’s safe to say that we lived our lives too soon / We just wasted our time burning in the bathroom.” “Murder on the Beach” feels more like a skate punk song in terms of being straightforward and irreverent. The short track follows the same quick tempo for the most part, contains lines like “The club is dead, bodies line the shore / Eyes are red, but I’m not high anymore,” and has a stormy conclusion with a raging guitar.

These young punk bands have a knack for writing fun, emotionally-fueled pop punk, and this split is a great representation of how they continue to grow as musically proficient and catchy songwriters. - PHILLYPUNK

For many, the days of music in any format other than an eleven track album they can download from their iTunes after pre-ordering it months in advance are long gone. Though the world is starting to see a change in this, with the recent increase in vinyl sales as those same eleven tracks are split precariously in half and pressed, there are still some novelties people are missing (though perhaps the sound quality of a cassette and a Walkman says we should stay away from those). One of these novelties is that of a split EP – as Buddy Nielsen of Senses Fail recently pointed out, these are as popular anymore, so it’s incredibly refreshing to see once put together.

Back in last September we praised Sister City highly for their album, Small Talk (you can check out our review here), and on January 27th they released their newest work – a split, with complimenting band Uncle/Father Oscar. With a pair of tracks from each of the artists, it’s very easy to see why the pair chose to work together, and I for one rather wish they’d figured out a way to record a final fifth song with both bands together. Regardless, this release deserves the same praise we issued the sans-Uncle/Father Oscar one with.

Opening Earthbound & Down from Sister City kicks off the record in a loud way, Modern Baseball-esque influences playing their part between the Brand New strands in the lyricism we’ve previously rated them alongside, before second Skyline drops the pace. A subtle instrumental welcomes the track, before lunging into the passion that we loved so much on Small Talk. This duo of tracks serve as the perfect introduction for those who haven’t yet had the fortune of stumbling across Sister City.

Uncle/Father Oscar’s contribution begins with Old Man Joyce Used To Fix Up Thunderbirds In Here (Years & Years Ago), and despite the distinct differences in the vocals and higher control over volume in the structure, one unknowing might mistake one for the other. Power in the layered vocals drives the track, and masterpiece riffs are the distinguishable link between the two artists. Closing Murder On The Beach strains the vocals, edging on harsh and/or whiny, with the same chaos kicking off in the backing, somehow winding together to sound sublime.

If you’re already a fan of one of this pair, you’re bound to be a fan of the other. Both share the memorable lyrics and riffs you wish you could sing, and there’s no doubt both would make excellent live shows – a co-headline tour, perhaps? - MENTIONED REVIEWS

Philly emo/indie act Uncle / Father Oscar recently released their “friends” EP, that features quirky and fun guitar hooks. With song titles like “Snapchat Ur Blunt Or You Didn’t Get High,” the band makes it apparent that they don’t take themselves too seriously even though their songs delve into more serious topics.

The opening track “Bread Cigarette (Bad Cigarette)” is laced with with dark lyrics despite its whimsical musical moments. ”Mila Kelso” is almost reminiscent of PUP, calling upon influences from the Toronto act’s song “Mabu”.

The EP feels too short at only three songs, and leaves the listener desperately hoping for more. Thankfully the physical release will contain songs off of previous splits.

“friends” is the cozy middle-ground between synth pop and punk. - WXPN THE KEY