“You can’t ignore that the music itself is as catchy as ever and the songwriting is nearly impeccable. It’s impossible to get this stuff out of your head.â€
– Adam Bever, PunkROCKS.net
In the world of punk rock, there is only one rule: you must either know how to rock, or know when to stop. Far too many mediocre punk bands have diluted the scene, ruining the genre for both the bands and the fans. Fortunately, a serious punk band has commandeered the vehicle, destined to steer the music back to where it belongs.
Since 1992, Moncton, New Brunswick’s Hope has been at the forefront of the East Coast punk rock scene. Developing its own style from the ground up, the band’s aggressive, introspective, and thought-provoking sound is the total melodic punk package: There’s no pansy emo whining; no pseudo-hardcore screaming; and no mundane chord progressions. Hope’s balls-out sound is all about the intense speed, catchy hooks, inspired vocals and guitar riffs that have been prone to convert even the most ardent naysayers.
Boasting an impressive resume which includes accolades that the new batch can barely fathom, Hope has performed alongside Pennywise and Sum 41, they’ve secured sponsorship deals and they’ve developed a loyal following via critically and fan-acclaimed recordings and a killer live show. Since appearing on the entire North American leg of the 2002 Vans Warped Tour, Hope has bided the majority of its time in Eastern Canada, supporting the likes of DOA, SNFU and Rise Against whilst writing new material. However, this has merely been the calm before the one hell of a storm. Hope recorded its new self-titled album in Halifax with award-winning producer Laurence Currie (Sloan, The Gandharvas), who also engineered the band’s 2003 split EP Do You Smell Gas? which was released on California’s Aggravated Music in conjunction with longtime friends The Dean Malenkos. HOPE also tapped Malenkos drummer Jon Epworth to produce the album, which boasts 11 meaty tracks that are truly indicative of the band’s sheer power. From the pumping “Mental Morphine†to the spastic “I Don’t Want To Change The World,†Hope is headed in a single direction…straight to the top.
