Effusion 35 - Take Two

​Effusion 35

Take Two
self-released; 2025

​By ​Dino DiMuro​​​

Effusion 35 is a band that was "formed in the infernal foundry of Philadelphia, PA in the last years of the 20th Century, outlasting many of the legendary venues they've played. Are they immortal? Most likely." These are their words, and as always with literate bands, I doubt I can top anything they say for themselves! But let's start easy: 2024 was their 25th anniversary as a band, and here in 2026 we have a new 6-song EP titled Take Two.

Effusion 35 was founded on creating "aggressive rock with pop sensibilities" and is described as melding the melodic style of Television and R.E.M. with the riff-heavy hooks of alternative rockers Sonic Youth, Helmet and Nirvana. For myself I heard echoes of Bob Mould's Husker Du and Sugar, which is basically the same school. The band members are founder Pat Manley (vocals/guitar), Tom DiGregorio (guitar/recording engineer) Kevin Manley (bass), Jim Napoleon (drums) and Joe Napoleon (guitar/vocals). As confusing as it is with two Napoleons, the second one (Joe) actually used to be the drummer before switching to guitar and firing off lead solos inspired by his avant-garde musical tastes. 

"Mindfuck" is the NSFW title of the opening track, but I don't think they actually say the word. The music is blasting, overmodulated rock that evokes the psychedelic garage band era, with classic rock vocals and harmonies not far from Blue Öyster Cult. It's the kind of rock where you won't find even a crack of sunlight between you and the wall of guitars and drums, though I did enjoy the lead melody lines toward the end. "Missing Time" doubles down on the LoFi "Nuggets" sound, with chiming guitars and waves of cymbal crashes. The main riffing thrust would do Nirvana proud. This time there's a bit more room in the mix for Manley's lead vocals, which feel a lot like Alice Cooper (even the siren-like guitars sound like early Alice!). 

"Calm" starts on the same chord that ended the previous track, and is so heavy you can actually sense the soundwaves fighting for air. Somehow even with the blasting wall of guitars, the vocals come in clearly like a boatmaster navigating through foggy seas. The lead guitars ascend to a new level of aggression and invention. "Bad Neighborhood" is the third song to start with the same chord (I just checked on my keyboard... it's E!) but kicks in an inventive chord scheme like R.E.M. in their noisy "Monster" era. "Round and Back" has a totally jangly, retro vibe like the rock parts of the Guess Who classic "No Time." The EP ends with a basically faithful version of the David Bowie classic "Moonage Daydream" and their joy in blasting this song reminds me how fun it was to cover Bowie in my own bands.

This is a band with a deep history of which I've only scratched the surface, and I'm sure this EP does the same with their musical output, but you gotta start somewhere! Worth checking out!

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