Dynasty Four - Revivals

Dynasty Four

Revivals
self-released; 2022

By Dino DiMuro

Dynasty Four is a five-piece indie rock band out of Toronto, just recently back together. Originally founded in 2012, their debut album titled Anachronisms came out in 2015 but the band members parted ways shortly thereafter. Weirdly, the pandemic happened to bring all the players back to Toronto where they reunited for this three-song EP titled Revivals. They describe themselves as having a “fun-first approach to reviving garage rock for the ages” and hope this EP is just the first step to more releases and stage performances.

The band describe their songs as “hooky, high-energy ear worms that deftly blend pop, punk, surf and garage rock with dynamic lyrics and an electric live presence. Revivals is a rollicking three-song EP brimming with garage guitars and pop punk sing-alongs. These are the songs that got our band back together.” The band also admits this set began as a collection of demos on SoundCloud, “but they turned out so well, we had to share.”

Now weirdly - despite all this talk about a band “revival” - most of the players are not even listed! Dynasty Four is certainly not the only band I’ve reviewed that does this, but I never understand why some bands don’t list performer names. From Instagram snooping I gather that Nikkole Couture (lead vocals/guitar) and her husband Andrew (guitar) are the leaders, backed by Fabio Cappucio (bass?), Christi Konto (keys) and Dirty Rick (drums). Recording took place at Nikkole’s home studio using Logic, and they mention that Andrew is “one of the best pop-rock producers in the biz. “

The band calls the opening “Champions of Breakfast” a “pure punk call to arms.” It’s certainly anthemic, with its triple-time beat and repeated chorus of “We’re gonna win!” The vocals sound female in the hardcore Patti Smith tradition, with the choruses always at a hair’s breadth of drifting out of tune. A short but bracing trip.

“For The Cats” is about “keeping it together for the ones who need you.” Here I’ll note that the guitar arrangement is basically a two-tracked streamlined fuzz attack, with the bass very much in the pocket. Really love Nikkole’s lead vocals here, though the backing choruses are again right on the verge of disharmony (which may be the point!).

“Lord of Feuds” has the most interesting two-guitar arrangements, with the second axe playing harmonically higher voicings or following along with the root note of each chord. Way in back I can hear a synth that has hopped aboard. Nikkole’s vocals remind me of early punk Debbie Harry, and the band’s energy can’t be faulted. They call this song “a snotty tribute to the selfish and self-centered, the unaffected and aloof we find so irresistible.”

​As mentioned, this is a very short EP that started out as song demos. All three tracks together are barely longer than a standard song, but the mechanics and strengths all seem to be in place for some great music in the future.

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