HolKampany - Juvenile Gentlemen

Holkampany

Juvenile Gentlemen
self-released; 2014

3.4 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

HolKampany – I like these guys. They’re not concerned with being guitar heroes, but damn do they rip on their album Juvenile Gentlemen. “Motivication” has this tone that’s dirty, robust and sexy as hell. Then these boys flip the coin and take on a punk role with anthems like “Knew That You Would.”  For a trio, they kick out the jams in a way reminiscent to early 2000s Green Day. In a nutshell, Juvenile Gentlemen plays almost like Jet and Green Day rocked a set in tandem with each other. 

But it’s edgier, more raw and grown from strong roots of back alley rock. Between the guitar’s abrasive pick up articulation and those pitch harmonics lies a pulsing heart of slam-dunk rock n’ roll polished off with modern day nuance. With each track they express their different styles – grooving southern rock, garage rock, ‘90s alternative / punk, etc. It seems the boys would be too bored with sticking to one sound and I share that feeling. When a band explores their genre to bring out different flavors it’s a prize find. Did I mention these guys have fun in the studio? You can almost see them throwing down and goofing off between takes. That’s real rock n’ roll my friends.

And so, the rockscapade begins with the aforementioned “Motivacation.” Easily the best exposition heard on the album. The guitar tone is perfectly fuzzed, bordering a growl of distortion as it hammers out those expansive chords that give you a “something’s about to go down” feeling. As it turns around, things stay relatively easy, but the beat is full force and laying some swag. 

The gist of this track is framed around some stank faced chugs, catchy runs and crowning choral harmonies. As the song starts to show signs of being on its way out, the drummer takes a few risks and places some interesting fill-like patterns into the mix. It’s the first example of “less is more” on an album that doesn’t have multiple offenses. Good chops, but it just doesn’t fit with the band’s fundamental power machine. Think AC/DC, not Dream Theater, my man. 

“Make Amends” is a lot like a mid ‘80s power ballad, perfect for some overly passionate sing-alongs. In the end, you have to hand it to these guys for pulling together 19 full-length tunes. Down the line, things are smooth and deep while at times rocky and rough, but always on point.

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