The Cushion Theory - The Cushion Theory
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 26 / 3 / 2004
Label:
Food Stamp Records
Format: CD
intro
Debut album from intriguingly-named, but promising Californian punks, the Cushion Theory, with good schooling in 70's rock
I couldn’t begin to tell you what a Cushion Theory actually is. My family is currently engaged in a debate over whether we really should have bought cushions for our new furniture. Are they really more comfortable or do they just get in the way? Is it, in fact, essential to feeling completely relaxed that you wang the cushion from your chair across the room before you sit down? Perhaps messrs Matt Ingram, Jordan Griggs, Matt Spar and Justin Griggs were engaged with similar burning issues when they formed their band…I just don’t know. I am intrigued by the band’s name, I mean: cushions! How random! Not big enough for a pillow fight, too big to throw effectively, too small to sit on. As the band’s name says, the possibilities for serious academic study, and resulting theories are, well, endless! Sorry about that! What you really want to know is, do The Cushion Theory rock? Well, let me tell you, they do! This is a band that clearly has its punk rock history down to a T and obviously have all the right records on their shelves. This is a record anyone can appreciate, at least if they are well schooled in the likes of Braid, Quicksand and Fugazi anyway! The band have real energy, and you just know that they’ve been impressing audiences in their home town of Oakland for a while, and having played with Pop Unknown and the Appleseed Cast, are clearly set for big things. The two Griggs brothers link up well as co-vocalists, and the whole band are tight. The band aren’t afraid to go out a little, either, working into a nice 70's rock style at times, dusting off their Led Zeppelin records no doubt. So, no we are not talking serious experimentation. This is a good record from a band that knows its part of the scene and just wants to improve as a band, not become megastars. But with one or two truly classic songs, this is a band that has the potential to really attract a lot of attention.
Track Listing:-
1 calle pepper2 word war 1
3 get close
4 heartbreakdown
5 star & eye
6 for gina
7 words & music
8 try, try again
9 matter
10 never get a chance
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart