On Ice by Maxband
Maxband, a project fronted by Parquet Courts drummer Max Savage and featuring A Beacon Schoo's Patrick Smith, are excited to release their debut album via UK band Sports Team’s Holm Front Records.
‘On Ice,’ produced and mixed by Jonny Schenke, picks up where breakthrough EP ‘Top of the Stairs’ left off across 12 tracks of direct, hook-laden indie rock — at times recalling New York luminaries The Strokes but also dipping into murkier waters. The sardonic ‘Rich Man’ brings to mind the best of early Weezer, while the duelling lead guitars in ‘Lines’ (clocking in at nearly 6-minutes) would surely have elicited a nod of approval from even Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd of Television.
“The songwriting has matured, both lyrically and instrumentally,” says Savage, who admits he would have “gone crazy” without the outlet of writing. “We’re a much tighter band now, and we’ve improved as musicians individually. Everyone’s voices can be heard on this record, and our winsome personalities are reflected in each song.”
Savage isn't merely paying lip service to a rehearsal room democracy. All four members of the Brooklyn quartet — completed by Patrick J Smith of A Beacon School, drummer Eric Read and lead guitarist Tim Nelson — assume the role of lead singer on at least one song over the course of On Ice’s 41-minute run-time.
It's the first full-length to be released on the Holm Front imprint, previously home to the likes of Dutch collective Personal Trainer, Scotland’s Walt Disco and rising London post-rock group, Ugly.
“We’re in great company,” says Savage. “It’s an honour and a privilege to be working with Holm Front again. We are hoping this year brings us more exposure to unfamiliar ears.”
Tracklist
| 1. | Nothing's Changed | 4:41 |
| 2. | Take-out Menu | 2:45 |
| 3. | Labor Day | 3:15 |
| 4. | Slipping On Ice | 3:00 |
| 5. | Recreate the Start | 3:13 |
| 6. | Lines | 5:39 |
| 7. | Rich Man | 2:43 |
| 8. | Fabric | 3:56 |
| 9. | Lucky Coin | 3:27 |
| 10. | Transfer | 3:21 |
| 11. | Club Rain | 5:04 |
Credits
Maxband is:
Max Savage - Guitar
Patrick Smith - Bass
Tim Nelson - Guitar
Eric Read - Drums
Additional credits:
Produced and mixed by Jonathan Schenke
Spoken word performance on "Club Rain" by Aarvi Thadeshwar
Additional production by Patrick Smith
Mastered by Mikey Young
Released by Holm Front Records
Managed by MIssy Scheinberg (missy@scheinymgmt.com)
LP manufactured by Press On Vinyl
All tracks recorded at Livingrooms in Ridgewood, Queens, NY February 2023, except "Lines", recorded at Figure 8 Recording, Brooklyn, NY, February 2022.
Cover photo by Chase Wagner
Additional LP artwork by Max Savage
Special thanks to:
Imran Ahmed, Jared Barron, Austin Brown, Rebecca Carr, Daniel Fernandez, Jake Frank, Christie Harrison, Reese Higgins, Roommate Jess, Girlfriend Jess, Maria King, Shati Khan, Jeannette Lee, Doug Marvin, Chad McGillivray, Dominic Mekky, Martin Mills, Scott Nelson, Jake Northrup, James Oldham, Kevin Pedersen, Kate Rakvic, Kyle Read, Franky Rousseau, Andrew Savage, Melanie Sheehan, Geoff Travis, Alison Turka, Chase Wagner, Russell Warby, Sean Yeaton, Henry Young, and our friends and families.
License
All rights reserved.
Max Savage (Parquet Courts) didn’t come up with the name Maxband, because this is no self-indulgent solo project. Trading drums for guitar, he shares songwriting + vocal duties with bassist Patrick Smith (A Beacon School), guitarist Tim Nelson, drummer Eric Read. Since releasing their 2020 EP, Maxband has shared the stage with A Place to Bury Strangers, Sports Team, KennyHoopla + more.