Mr.Wizard - Apartments

​Mr.Wizard

Apartments
self-released; 2026

​​By ​Dino DiMuro​​​​

Mr. Wizard from Uniontown, Pennsylvania is an interesting band. They're a working alternative rock combo that plays shows and events like the Millvale Music Festival (a massive Pittsburgh event with 28 stages!), and have been written up in the music press with quotes like: "A sound steeped in exciting rock nostalgia, embracing the punk and grunge integrations of the '90s" (Obscure Sound). 

However (and I'm still wrapping my head around this) apparently Mr. Wizard alternates full-band releases with "McCartney" style solo outings by the band's founder, Mr. Wizard himself: Garrett Gates. On their newest EP Apartments Mr. Gates apparently does it all: guitar, bass, drums and vocals. I totally get it, because with my first band I'd get so excited about recording that I'd make 3/4 of an album myself, and then say in the liner notes: "John couldn't make it!" 

Describing their music as "Rocking Out Fun," Gates jumps right into rock with "All the Shapes." My initial take is that it sounds like the Sex Pistols if they were in a good mood. Gates has quite an English vocal tone for (I'm assuming) an American from Pennsylvania! The guitars are loud but not fuzzed out to oblivion, with chords that emphasize interesting voicings instead of blasting every string at once at every moment. The chorus guitar chords matched with the vocals reveal a musical sophistication that caught me off guard, like something from Revolver-era Beatles. 

"The Snake" dives a bit deeper into the Johnny Rotten well, with spidery vocals that skirt around and between the chords and melodies. Again I'm gratified to hear the care taken to keep the guitar parts interesting, with descending runs and quick arpeggios replacing block chords and unrelenting noise. "Fool's Gold" makes a lateral move to Bob Mould-R.E.M. jangly rock, and the combination of volume and chiming guitar is irresistible. I've been concentrating on guitar but just now I remembered that Gates is presumably playing bass AND drums, and it's a tribute to his skill that I never once doubted I was hearing a full band. "By the Tail" is notable for its trebly lead bass parts intercut with blasts of orchestral guitar constructions, with a vocal that recalls Mr. Lydon's "No Feelings." Hard to pick a favorite but this one's definitely up top! The concluding "Doctor, Doctor" follows the same template, with the exception that the crystalline guitars have a bit more air to breathe in-between the driving rock.

Not that it took much effort, but this EP quickly grew on me with each listen. Definitely worth checking out!

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