Stone Leek - Testimonial/Temperament
From Kyoto, Japan, melodic hardcore/skatepunk outfit Stone Leek dropped their two-track EP, Testamonial/Temperament, just a while ago.
Stone Leek
Made up Akira Fukurai (guitar, vocals), Yusuke Araki (guitar, backing vocals), Takeshi Ogawa (bass, backing vocals), and Betch (drums), Stone Leek will begin a tour of Canada May 16, running through May 25, including performances in Montreal’s PouzzaFest.
The genesis of the band, according to an interview with Punk Caste, occurred in 2001, followed by composing original songs the next year, followed by the inevitable personnel changes. By 2010, the band was touring in the U.S., and in 2014 toured Europe, followed by performing in local venues throughout Japan. The interview touched on the music scene in Japan, which is dominated by J-Pop bands. It’s difficult for punk bands to achieve any sort of success in Japan, unless signed by a big label that pumps massive amounts of money into promotions.
Stone Leek’s name came about when the band got their first gig and had no name. Basically, the band sat down with a dictionary, scoured it for three hours, and went with Stone Leek.
“Temperament” rides a potent pop-punk melody giving off filaments of melodic hardcore flavors, with emphasis on the ‘melodic’ portion rather than the hardcore and the usual growling screams.
“Testimonial” opens on rumbling drums and tight snarling guitars transitioning to a driving pop-punk tune with stuttering bridges. The chorus features radiant background harmonies and potent lead vocals. A wailing guitar solo leads into a scrumptious melodic section, infusing the tune with shifting sonic hues.
“Temperament” rides a potent pop-punk melody giving off filaments of melodic hardcore flavors, with emphasis on the ‘melodic’ portion rather than the hardcore and the usual growling screams. Grinding guitars back a sneering, grimacing lead guitar, followed by a breakdown that slowly builds until it’s discharging electrifying muscularity.
A video of the band performing live is available on YouTube, and reveals a quartet of accomplished musicians delivering a skintight sound, along with slacker-skate-punk attitudes.
Stone Leek offers up brawny skatepunk full of stylish breakdowns, seething buckling guitar riffs, and nuanced sassy vocals. Here’s another band worthy of some label’s attention.
