Rise Defy is a D.C. band with that city’s sound printed all over the music and lyrics of the self-titled debut album. It’s billed as punk rock, and sure, that what these guys are made from, but the record has a lot more smooth of a recording sound and pop in the guitar riffs and vocal melodies than what you would assume a punk band from Washington, D.C. sounds like.
The band is an assemblage of musicians with a lot of experience. For example, drummer Paul Maniscalco played in Police & Thieves, Davis Tone (more on him below) played in BSR, and “Skeeter” Thompson is in Scream.
The album has some great anthemic tunes, not the least of which being “Sirens,” the opening, catchy-as-hell track. “The Noise and the Static,” “American Shooter,” and “In the End” also stand out for their hookiness. The songs will likely pull you to the front at a Rise Defy show.
The band put out a demo back in 2018, so it’s about time that Rise Defy released a record (that’s 8 tracks in just shy of 20 minutes in length). I don’t know what’s kept the guys busy or distracted over the years, but it’s good that the album is finally out, and it’s on vinyl and digital from Undercurrent Records.
It won’t have the edge that some people into extreme music need, but for those that like hum-along riffs and some of that melodic-yet-distorted D.C. sound, Rise Defy should be their next stop.
Related:
Watch Davis Tone playing in BSR for a show in D.C. below.
