The Rundown: The Strange Times & Jet Set Vapour Trails LIVE 5/25

Welcome to "The Rundown", where we will be giving everyone a taste of the music they will see at upcoming shows.

This Sunday, May 25th, New York punk outfit, The Strange Times, will be passing through on their Spring Tour. They'll be receiving support from local acts Jet Set Vapour Trails, Barracuda and The 5th Gear.

This show is equal parts noisy punk and power rock.

Doors open at 4 p.m., and the show is at 5 p.m. Admission is $5.

With that said, let's get to The Rundown.

The Strange Times

From left to right: Jeff, Sean, Comrade Aaron and CaroLion are The Strange Times.

Who are they: Hailing from New York City, The Strange Times is not your average loud, urban punk band. Formed in the winter of 2012, they have been crafting a colorful blend of contagious punk rock that is guaranteed to get your feet moving. The band is composed of bassist/vocalist Comrade Aaron, guitarist Sean, drummer Jeff, and occasionally electric-violinist CaroLion.

Why should you care: There are two main reasons you should care about The Strange Times. First, they are coming from New York City. Their mini-tour is five dates spanning all down the East Coast and we're lucky enough to be one of those dates! Secondly, they kick ass. Seriously, this band has all of the energetic allure of a punk band with none of the sloppiness. Take fast-paced punk and mix in vibrant rock riffs and charismatic vocals and you've got The Strange Times. I know Clarksburg is full of punk-loving folks. Let's show these guys how a little West Virginia town runs a punk show.

Listen: 

[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=1131328254 size=large bgcol=333333 linkcol=ffffff tracklist=false artwork=small]

Their new single "Firing", released this past April.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cLqPBwJyR6g

Psychedelic music video for their song "Potions", released via Blank TV.

Jet Set Vapour Trails

From left to right: Orville Weale, Jeff Goodwin and Thomas Moore compose Jet Set Vapour Trails.

Who are they: Jet Set Vapour Trails is a three-piece rock band full of veteran musicians. From Morgantown, WV., they came together with years of experience making music already under their belts. This is apparent in the brooding alt-rock they create. Sounding like powerful rock colliding with 90's grunge-punk, Jet Set Vapour Trails produces menacingly beautiful music.

Why you should care: In this area you can find loud punk and aggressive metal, there's melodious pop rock and singer-songwriters, but there isn't anyone quite like Jet Set Vapour Trails. There are few local alt-rock acts, and even fewer with the chemistry and experience present in Jet Set Vapour Trails.

Listen:

[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=676099455 size=large bgcol=333333 linkcol=ffffff tracklist=false artwork=small]

The title track off of their debut album "Cellophane Vampire".

Barracuda

From left to right: Jack Friend, Mike "Spider" Chan, Tyler Washburn and Tim Taylor make up Barracuda.

Who are they: Barracuda knows how to play punk music: loud and fast. Formed in Morgantown, WV., Barracuda contains members formerly of local punk act Dangerkat. Barracuda's music is impassioned punk with a 50's rock flair thrown in. Lively stage presence and racing guitar riffs are components of any and all of their performances.

Why you should care: With Barracuda, it all comes down to having a good time. It's not with every band that you can run around, mosh, jump or frantically scream. Between the driving punk vibe and rocking guitar licks, it's hard not to have fun while listening to Barracuda. You should care because you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't go crazy during their set.

Listen: 

Head to Barracuda's ReverbNation page and check out their tunes!

The 5th Gear

From left to right: Dylan, Franky, Brandon, Kelsey, and Riki make up The 5th Gear.

Who are they: What started out as five teenagers participating in Bandland’s Rock Camp in the summer of 2013 grew to be an era-spanning rock band. Three-fifths of The 5th Gear are siblings. Brothers Dylan, Riki and Franky Satterfield team up with Brandon Kennedy and Kelsey Jeffries to churn out hard rock anthems.

Why you should care: These are teenagers busting out everything from Led Zeppelin and Guns N' Roses to Metallica and Green Day, as well as well-crafted originals. The 5th Gear may be young, but they've got old souls. When was the last time you heard a 12-year-old laying down beats for hard-hitting rock songs? If you enjoy rock in any form, then The 5th Gear probably have something to offer.

Listen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV9En0seauo

The 5th Gear covering Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" at The Main Street Cafe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBF-Xvul5dg

The 5th Gear's original song "Part of Me" performed at the Main Street Cafe.

All photos courtesy of the bands' respective Facebook pages.