Schatzi - Death of the Alphabet - Mammoth

Review by: Jennifer Perkins

Schatzi could easily be called one of the hardest working bands in Austin. Going from the bowels of local punk clubs to venues with green rooms, Schatzi deserves everything they get. Its one of those situations where you are really rooting for them, you want them to do well. Not only do they seem like genuinely nice people they make kick ass pop infused rock music.

Their latest EP, The Death of the Alphabet is their first collaboration with their new major label home, Mammoth Records. Oh what a major budget will do for a band. The EP, as well as their upcoming full length CD 50 Reasons to Explode were recorded in Kansas with Ed Rose (Get Up Kids and The Anniversary).

The title track "Death of the Alphabet", is so catchy it is almost antagonist “I dare you not like me”. There is no denying the fine pop sensibilities these guys convey in their songwriting. The song starts with a cutesy xylophone and leads into a fuzzed out electric guitar bombardment. Did I mention the female backing vocals by The Anniversary’s Adrianne Verhoeven? This song has already made it all over the radio in Austin the rest of the world just needs to sit and wait. Another gem from the EP just wetting our appetite for the full length is “The Spider Smells Disaster”. This song has a really full sound, almost Flaming Lips-esque. For the most part you envision the track being sung with a perma-smile plastered across everyone’s face until the chorus kicks in and all that changes and Schatzi puts on their best punk sneer, albeit not a very intimidating one.

The EP is laid out so that the first 4 songs are a sampler of what lies ahead on Schatzi’s upcoming full length. All 4 songs will be repeated there. The last 4 tracks on the EP are included as bonus tracks. “Nadine”, one of the bonuses, is from the bands previous full length Joanie loves Schatzi. The song ranges from pick slides to a crooning chorus “Naaaaa-Deeeeeen”. Mammoth Records must have heard songs like this and signed them on the spot.

If the Death of the Alphabet is any indication of what lies ahead or Schatzi bands like Weezer better get ready for the new kids on the block.

Read where Schatzi got their name from here.

Read an interview with Schatzi here.

See pictures of Schatzi here.