The Antics are a three-piece post-punk band from New Jersey, consisting of vocalist/ guitarist Luke Meisenbacher, guitarist Derek Rosengarth, and drummer Josh Reitan. The release of their EP, Send It Out comes after the release of their debut album, Running Faster, released in November 2012. Send It Out establishes the band as a force to be reckoned within the post-punk scene, with groovy rhythms strewn amongst all six songs on the EP, paired with Luke’s Meisenbacher’s almost haunting voice, somewhat reminiscent of famous English singer and lyricist, Morrissey.
As a matter of fact, the New Jersey trio draws inspiration from bands such as The Smiths, Joy Division, and The Doors, and that inspiration can be heard in each song. Each song features significant instrument breaks, allowing the listener to take in the mixture of guitars and drum beats before Luke’s voice breaks through once again, creating a smooth mixture of instruments and vocals.
One song in particular, “When You Say,” distinctly draws from 60s surf rock music, with almost cheery guitars and upbeat drumming that, when accompanied by Luke’s uniquely soft, poignant, and memorable voice make for an interesting, hard-to-forget song. Another song off the EP, “Girls are Troublesome,” has a much more distinctly haunting and creepy tone, with echoing background vocals, eery guitar rifts, and snappy cymbals that closes the EP.
The Antics draw from a variety of genres- 60s surf rock, 80s synth heavy music, 90s grunge guitar rifts- and each genre is apparent in each song, with some more powerful than others. Every song has some element to it that will stick to the listener’s mind, whether it be the easy-to-listen-to instruments, soft vocals, or often-times simple but relatable lyrics.