Powerful Stuff: Hard Rockers @The88sband Self-Titled EP

The 88’s, self-titled EP

Hard rock is not usually a genre I write about.  I did go through a brief phase in my music life where I wanted loud hairband music more frequently than usual about 25 years ago 😛  In any event, The 88’s is a solid, talented trio who are passionate about their music.  It comes across in the care of the arrangements of the songs written by guitarist Luis.  All three members come from different parts of the world – Luis (Portugal), drummer Joe (NYC), and vocalist Pheel (France) – and they apparently are based out of Shanghai.  It’s no fluke that they are gathering fans from all over the world when their songs are so good.

“For You, I’ll Sing My Song” has the potential to be a hit at mainstream rock radio with a great message and melody.  “Get Me Through” features traditional Portuguese guitar and backing vocals from a soulful singer named Lola.  Other songs are sung partially in French too! But most of the time the band’s key influences from Metallica to System Of A Down shine through, and incorporating all of this results in a unique sound within a sometimes pretty static music genre.  

Lovers of hard, angry rock with a difference will be completely sold.  If you like pop/rock/metal in general, then I guarantee that The 88’s will make you sit up at attention.  Listen to their EP and more at their official website right here.  Watch the video of “Velvet Rock” at the top of this post.