It doesn't take much for one to realize the Gainesville music scene is heavily submersed in punk rock.
From DIY basement shows to The Fest, it's evident that Gators love their rock'n'roll fast and aggressive. Much like the draw of UF, the Gainesville scene also attracts bands from across Florida and beyond.
Originally forming in Boca Raton in 2001, Protagonist is a five-piece melodic punk band whose ties to Gainesville have never been stronger. This month the band put out its fourth release, a five-song EP entitled "States" produced by Stephen Egerton of The Decendents. "States" was released on Gainesville-based label Paper + Plastick Records.
With a current lineup consisting of brothers Peter and John Marullo, Brian Forst, Marcus Kora and Kyle MacDougall, Protagonist is a true testament to the successes of hardworking, dedicated musicians.
Emancipating a whirlwind of crazy fast riffs, pounding drum beats and anxious group choruses, "States" has proved once again that punk rock is definitely not dead. Even though all the songs on "States" clock in at less than four minutes, this duration shouldn't fool you into thinking the EP isn't worth your time.
The opening title track instantly blasts you into a cyclonic hypnosis as thick palm-muted guitar progressions and accelerated rhythm are funneled around strong, impacting vocal harmonies and shouts.
Never lacking in energy, "States" offers listeners an abundance of adrenaline without sounding sloppy or overly pessimistic. Rather, the lyricism delivers insightful reflections that will strike a chord with any twenty-something listener, heightened further by Peter Marullo's exceptional vocal capabilities.
Like a true protagonist, the band was faced with many conflicts while recording this EP. Guitarist Brian Forst revealed that both the songwriting processes and studio sessions were met with obstacles. He said the band members are now spread out around the country.
"Writing processes have shifted to rely on video chats, Garage Band files and lengthy emails," Forst said. "We only played the songs on ‘States' together about twice before going into the studio, so this one really came together during the recording process."
The band was also met with a most unfortunate awakening the morning of their first recording session - all of Protagonist's equipment was stolen the night before they went into the studio.
"We got in our van, threw every piece of equipment we owned in our trailer and made the long drive, getting to town and checking into a hotel the night before we were scheduled to record," Forst explained. "In the morning when we headed to the van to drive to the studio we realized that our trailer was stolen. Needless to say, it was devastating."
Fortunately for the band and listeners alike, the recording of "States" was able to unfold, culminating in an EP that audibly engulfs these frustrations and reverts them into songwriting successes.
