Milk Teeth – Vile Child
(If you like: Nirvana, Jimmy Eat World, Refused)
From a small town near Bristol, UK comes quartet-turned-trio Milk Teeth. Formed in 2012, the British outfit are doing their part to revive the glory of ‘90s grunge and punk, but avoiding a copy-and-paste style guide. Since releasing a small handful of EPs and singles, the trio of Becky Blomfield (bass/vocals), Chris Webb (guitar), and Oliver Holbrook (drums), along with newly-ex guitarist/co-vocalist Josh Bannister, have released their debut full-length Vile Child.
Incorporating emo, punk, and grunge into the new record, Vile uncannily resembles earlier bands like the Pixies, Nirvana, and Jimmy Eat World, but with an abrasive, punk-fuelled quality closer to bands such as Title Fight. Opening single “Brickwork” is a stellar concoction of all these influences, piecing together melody, riffs, and enthusiasm for one of the collection’s best tracks.
Co-vocalist Becky Blomfield shares some surprising similarities to Joy Formidable vocalist Ritzy Bryan; Blomfield’s dominating vocal presence rides in tandem with the gritty bass line and driving percussion, up until the final yell of “back of my HEAD” on “Brickwork”, and “Moon Wanderer”. She takes on the role as conductor of the album, directing the songs into a spiral of energy and punk aggression, “Brain Food” being a perfect example. Her alternating personality changes across the album, embracing her inner-Kurt Cobain on “Driveway Birthday”, “Swear Jar (again)”, and lead single “Kabuki” with low, grungy delivery. But of course, the rest of the band should not be forgotten; their endurance and aggression push the album from ‘90s grunge into ‘00s-emo punk with tracks “Get A Clue”, and “Moon Wanderer”.
Vile Child closes off in pulse-pounding fashion, carrying influences from Refused, ….And They Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, and early-Title Fight. Handing the vocal duties over to ex-guitarist Josh Bannister, “Leona”, and “Cut You Up” transform Milk Teeth from a ‘90s-revival band into a modern day post-hardcore punk band effortlessly and stunningly, ending on the La Dispute-esque track “Sunbaby”.
Although Milk Teeth are from a small town, their music depicts a place of much larger potential. Growing more and more in popularity in the British indie scene, it shouldn’t be long before the fan base reaches across the pond (it also helps they’ve signed with U.S. label Hopeless Records).
You can stream the debut effort through DIY Magazine.
Tour dates:
3/09 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
3/10 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
3/11 – Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot
3/12 – Chicago, IL @ Double Door
3/13 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
3/15 – Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th St Collective
3/19 – Grand Prairie, TX @ So What? Music Fest
3/20 – El Paso, TX @ Mesa Music Hall
3/22 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile
3/23 – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
3/24 – San Diego, CA @ Lamppost Warehouse
3/25 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
3/26 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
3/29 – Portland, OR @ Analog Theater
3/30 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
4/01 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
4/02 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
4/04 – Springfield, MO @ Outland Ballroom
4/05 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
4/06 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
4/07 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
4/08 – Margate, FL @ O’Malley’s
4/09 – Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
4/10 – Jacksonville, FL @ 1904
4/12 – Greensboro, NC @ Greene Street
4/13 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Shakas Live
4/14 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
4/15 – Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
4/16 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
4/17 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
4/18 – Brooklyn, NY @ Shea Stadium
4/19 – Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon
4/20 – Ottawa, ON @ Ritual
4/21 – Toronto, ON @ Virgin Mobile Mod Club
4/22 – Buffalo, NY @ The Waiting Room
4/23 – Columbus, OH @ Skully’s
