Mothership

This was originally posted on May 15, 2014:

          For those of us who remember the late 90's, you will not that it was a time of dramatic change in the music industry.  The widespread implementation of the Internet and music sharing sites like Napster and later YouTube changed the previously fundamental rules of how a band could again success.  There was also a shift in popular music.  The grunge movement that had breathed life back into rock scene in the early and mid 90's was overtaken in the pop charts by teen pop groups like *NSYNC, The Backstreet Boys, and, of course, Britney Spears.  These changes struck fear into the hearts of every hardcore rock fan, but fear no more, just board the mothership.

          Mothership is the latest hope for the revival of grunge.  They are Courtney Thompson (Vocals/Guitar), Josh Shore (Guitar), and brother Ryan Shore (Bass).  After meeting each other in 2008, they began recording tracks together, but had to take a hiatus to focus on "becoming men."  In 2012, they reconvened and formed Mothership and began recording their debut album, Board The Mothership, in late 2013 for release in May 2014.  Their debut album is multi-faceted and very respectable.

Mothership live

          The second song on the album, No End In Sight, is exemplary of their influences.  It begins with a the low vibrato of the bass and smooth chords played under picked fills, but soon transitions into a heavier, rockin’ guitar chord progression (guitarist Josh Shore was initially trained by Tracy G of Dio).  The riffs quiet down while Courtney Thomas belts out (in a controlled way) his lyrics.  Thomas’ voice is somewhat reminiscent of Josh Homme’s (Queens of the Stone Age), while still being incredibly unique and melodic.  While the song moves between heavy guitar riffs and slower mellow points, the listener is always engaged by something.  The track concludes with an epic guitar solo that is obviously influenced by those of Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.

          Another praiseworthy song is The Sun.  It begins with a hard-hitting chord progression and deep bass notes that, again, quiet down during the verses.  The most noteworthy portion of this track is the ‘funkadelic’ (not the band) guitar work during the bridge and immediately following.  It combines elements of funk and harder rock (much in the same way as Jimi Hendrix) to create an incredibly attention-drawing section.  Overall, the song reminds me of a Soundgarden track.

          It would be remiss if I didn’t briefly discuss the album’s closing track, Hog Titty.  The song is an extreme departure from the rest of the album.  It uses an archetypal ‘county fair’ rhythm and satirical lyrics to make the listener laugh (I know I did) and leave the album with a smile on their face.

          Mothership is a strong band that has managed to fuse music from throughout decades into their unique style.  Its heavy grunge influences are evident, while also drawing from such classics as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and many more.  This is a group of individuals that I see have great potential in the more mainstream market with their updated version of hard rock and sense of pop culture.  You can visit their website to learn more about them (http://boardthemothership.com) and you can hear their music at their Bandcamp page (http://boardthemothership.bandcamp.com/album/board-the-mothership).  I look forward to their future releases.

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