Audio Current

1. Coin Under Tongue 2. Roll Child 3. Shaven Clean 4. This Flag Is A Scythe

Coin Under Tongue (Brooklyn, NY)

(2008) EP - Hussies At Bay (Death By Audio Records)

Hard Rock / Post Punk / Stoner Rock / Noise Rock / Psychedelic Rock / Post-Hardcore

Joe Kelly (Vocals, Guitar)

George Wilson (Bass)

Greg Wilson (Drums)

(The sound quality is horrible, but all you need to hear is the monstrous opening riff)

When we interviewed Oliver Ackerman, guitarist/vocalist of A Place To Bury Strangers, after their recent Casbah gig, we asked him who he most wanted to take on tour.  He told us his good friends Coin Under Tongue are amazing, how right he was.

The next day I researched this new band with the kick ass name, and found out that they’re actually signed to Oliver’s own label, Death By Audio Records.  Not only that, but Oliver’s sick guitar pedal company, of the same name, makes the pedals that Coin uses.  I went on Death By Audio’s blog and found they were giving the Hussies At Bay EP away for free, my life will never be the same.

In ancient times some people used to believe that if you put a gold coin under the tongue of the recently deceased, it would help them pay the ferry toll to cross the river Styx and enter the Underworld.  If they don’t put the coin under tongue the dead man’s spirit will haunt them forever.  Coin Under Tongue might be one of the best band names ever.

The first track on Hussies At Bay has a riff that would sink the Titanic, think Rage Against The Machine crossed with Aerosmith and a touch of Tool.  Yeah, that’s right, I said it.  On this one Joe Kelly uses his mid range bark that’s raspy, punk and ballsy enough to stand up to the rest of the sonic onslaught.

Next is ‘Roll Child’, which sounds nothing like the last track.  It starts with a Post Punk beat and a guitar lick that is more reminiscent of Joy Division than anything Hard Rock.  Once Joe decides to overdrive his buttery vocals the Coin’s sound becomes more obvious.  The song quickly shifts into a more garage feel and starts uncontrollably oozing swagger.  I can’t imagine what might possibly come next.

‘Shaven Clean’, could be what the amazing Death From Above 1979 might sound like if they hadn’t broken up.  Kelly cycles through one epic fizzling guitar tone after another while the bass holds down a dope clean groove.

Finally, ‘This Flag Is A Scythe’, is the brilliant closer.  It’s got a strong shuffling Post Punk beat, with Jamie Cook guitar swats.  Again, the guitar tones are untouchable and different from the previous tracks.

A flawless EP that proves Coin Under Tongue will soon have the whole Underworld at their feet.

*//Buy It

Cool like: A Place To Bury Strangers, Death From Above 1979, Middle Class Rut, Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, At The Drive In, Scars, Joy Division, The Bronx