It’s not often I find a band that truly demonstrates and displays the raw exuberance and energy I want from music living in and labelling itself as “punk.” Minot hits that mark in a way that really struck me, seeing them live. Hailing from Missoula, Montana, the three-piece “garage-punk” outfit currently has a handful of singles and “And You’re Not,” their 8-song-long cassette. The first half of the cassette has a strong showing of a punk spirit, with my favorite track, “Christmas in Helena,” being an example of this, while mixing in some psych and surf-esque tones that reminded me vaguely of a gothbilly sound brushing up against The Cramps’ vibe. It’s punchy, and even more so live. The recordings are cleaner than their live performances (obviously), but in a way that feels intentional. It’s lo-fidelity yet energetic, which doesn’t entirely carry over into the second half of the cassette. The back-half reads slower, but without losing the presence. All the songs on the B side are longer and a bit more experimental, with my standout track being Headless Horseman. I really enjoyed the cassette, but I seriously recommend seeing these guys live if you have the opportunity.
Minot
