Energy. Chaos. Soul.
These are just a few of the ways I can describe seeing the majesty that is ‘68 live. Josh Scogin, lead singer and founder of both Norma Jean and The Chariot, and Michael McClellan have gotten together to form one of the most interesting, yet awe inspiring bands that it has ever been this fan’s pleasure to watch. Combining a mixture of the avant garde metal/hardcore that has been a backbone of Scogin’s musical tenure, with surf punk, blues, alternative punk rock, and a pinch of post rock, along with a whole host of other influences, and featuring an electric live show, ‘68 proves that they can stand out from the shadows cast by Josh Scogin’s older projects.
Reminiscing back to the first time I got the chance to watch ‘68, back in 2014, opening for Chiodos and Emerosa at this crappy Moose Lodge, and just marveling how amazing the band was. Just two guys, really rocking out and melting faces in a way that I didn’t even know existed in a post-Chariot world. I just remember Josh jumping all around the stage, climbing on the drum kit, and just barely making it back to the mic to scream at us on time, and realizing, I need to know who these guys are, and why haven’t I heard of them before. I immediately turned a bunch of my friends on to the group, and since then, I have been lucky to catch them open for Underoath on their first show back together, as well as seeing them open at the House of Blues and headline at Backbooth, both in Orlando. These guys are such a big part of my life that my back tattoo was designed while listening to R, off of their first album, In Humor And Sadness.
‘68 have a new album out, Two Parts Viper, building on the sound they established on their first album, and maturing it out, while still expanding their musical horizon. Keeping in their hardcore stylings, the album is only 32 minutes long, but they pack 2 hours worth of listening into that short amount of time. I’ve listened to it multiple times, and continue to pick up subtleties and nuances that I hadn’t heard before. Make sure you pick it up, and catch them on tour around the country, and hopefully in your neck of the woods! I promise, you won’t REGRET (NOT.) it!
’68 Preview by Garrett.
▼ SHOWS TO GO TO ▼
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- The Commission Beer Chamber
- Kingfish Records (Clearwater)
- Nora's Sugar Shack!
- Park Ave CDs
- Montgomery Drive Presents
- RT-Art Printing
- The Mary Jane 'High-Quality' Art Gallery
- The Owl's Attic Vintage Shop
- Broken Strings Brewery
- American Combat Club
- Lazy Moon Pizza
- Ten10 Brewing
- Leguminati
- Mutiny Ocala
- The Tipsy Skipper
- Conrad's Beer Shanty
- AKT Shirt Printing
- Smartpunk Records & Shop
- No Clubs Presents
- DaddyKool Records
- Galactic G Skateshop