The Cushion Theory - The Cushion Theory

by Benjamin Howarth

published: 26 / 3 / 2004

Label: Food Stamp Records
Format: CD

Debut album from intriguingly-named, but promising Californian punks, the Cushion Theory, with good schooling in 70's rock

Review

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.