They say timing is everything. In the case of The Blackout Pact (love the name by the way), it was both timing and a hot dog dive that marked a pinnacle moment for this Denver/Boulder six-piece. Geoff Rickly, lead singer of Thursday and well-known producer (with a Tony on the shelf of his bathroom) was also hankering for a bit of the wiener at the same time as the group, and it was love at first bite. I can’t believe I just wrote that. Shoot me, shoot me now.
Okay, so there is a bit more to the story which led the band to where they are now: a new record Hello Sailor out on Astromagnetics, Rickly in the production seat, and 10 tracks of solid rock bent ironically towards another rock power in Colorado, VAUX.
A lot of credit has to go to lead singer Mike Herrera’s tidal wave that slams through and around the instrumental tirades the other five guys shoot out of the cannon. With song titles like “Ghouls Will Try and Get In Your Pants” and “Hey Babes I’m a Zombie, Give Me Brains” one would guess they’re not packing herbal tea and DVDs of the One Tree Hill series in their duffle bags, but that’s not to say they don’t have those quiet, special moments.
“Lapis Lazuli” shuffles with drummer Wisam’s light touch and Mike’s soft spoken serenade, “Jesus gave a pair of lungs a heart that beats too fast / A set of wings that never even worked / The businessmen they wrap their ties / The Women do their hair / And baby you remind me of them.” And so it goes until a unison choir (think “Bro Hymn Tribute” by Pennywise) comes in for the finale, revealing a portion of their lyrical, poetic element that stretches far beyond the cliche fluff of girls and beer. They save those as action items for the bar or afterparty.
Much like VAUX, The Blackout Pact are another homegrown band that put themselves on the road like warriors, enabling them to become as well known in cities across the country, or maybe more so, than the kids here in Denver. Having hit 60+ gigs since July they come back around for their CD release parties here in Colorado this coming week. With a big break out of the shoot with Hello Sailor, one can expect the Pact to keep barreling down the highway for some time, leaving trails of clothes, remnants of chicken wing dinners and loving but exhausted fans in their wake.
www.myspace.com/theblackoutpact
www.purevolume.com/theblackoutpact
