Steve Stanley and the Mercs, hailing from Denton, Texas, have tastefully blended an acoustic/indie instrumentation with a pop punk edge. They have shared the stage with acts such as Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music, William Beckett of The Academy Is, and even performed at the 2013 Van’s Warped Tour in Dallas.
Their recently released single “I’m A Ship” is reminiscent of The Scene Aesthetic and Dashboard Confessional, building the foundation for the song with a bouncing acoustic rhythm. Steve Stanley’s gritty vocals give an Alkaline Trio vibe that adds a great contrast against the light-hearted progressions. As the song develops, the vocal harmonies, simplistic drums, and electric leads help to fill out the mix.
Steve Stanley’s “Change” brings out a darker side of the bands sound with an angst that tugs at your heart strings with every strum. With elaborate harmonies layered in the first verse, “Change” brings you on a musical journey, from the driving palm mutes and galloping rhythm, to the banjo and gang vocals of the last verse.
To hear these tracks and more, be sure to check out Steve Stanley and the Mercs on BandCamp. Also, be on the look out for their new record to be released later this year, with the help of Andy Gomoll at The Machine Shop in New Jersey!
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Review by: Matthew Almquist
