One Win Choice Define/Redefine (Jump Start)
Release Date: February 16, 2009
This is the year that punk finally dies, right? At least that’s what the naysayers keep telling me, and I must admit that each time a band claims 10,000 myspace friends as a milestone victory, a mascara-painted frontman squeezes into a pair of women’s Levi’s or the scene inevitably dictates that style trumps substance, I nod my head in sad acquiescence and contemplate throwing in the proverbial towel. After all, how much further can anyone push the limits of hardcore before it implodes into a superfluous parody of itself? The genre has already been beaten to a bloody pulp by the resident tough guys, juiced with a steroids by the metal heads, worked over and tenderized by overwrought emo apologists and more embarrassingly, dressed up in the most ridiculous goth outfit you’ve ever seen.
Yes, friends…punk rock has known better days.
Of course, when a band like One Win Choice comes along, I’m reminded of what I loved about hardcore and punk in the first place: the community and friendship, the questioning nature and righteous indignation of their subject matter, and most importantly, songs that are passionate, honest, fiery and tight as all hell. I don’t need to be bowled over by your band’s “new sound” – Refused already did that ten years ago, and I don’t even like Refused that much. Just make me believe in what you’re saying while I stomp along to the beat and scream in unison with the chorus and I’m a happy boy.
I’m not claiming that One Win Choice is going to save the scene. However, I won’t deny that they’re doing all they can to breathe some much-needed life into it. With the release of a successful debut full-length last year and several DIY tours under their collective belts, it’s safe to say that this Tom’s River, N.J. five piece is off to a great start.
2009 finds the band stronger and more determined than ever with the release of Define / Redefine, five songs of hot-blooded, combustible hardcore punk with a poignant missive that questions authority, calls for solidarity and seeks truth. The South Jersey quartet sounds more assured of their songwriting skills than ever and that makes steamrollers like “Failure To Quit” and “Under Quarantine” more adrenalizing, provocative and ultimately, more memorable. While the band’s debut full-length, Never Suspend Disbelief was always on the verge of something great, Define / Redefine makes good on the promise of that record and finds One Win Choice hitting the punk rock nail squarely on the head.
Define / Redefine was recorded and produced by Mike Rummel (The Bouncing Souls, Spanish Bombs, Gimme Drugs) at Below Sea Level in September of 2008. Jump Start Records released a 7-inch version of the record on February 16th, 2009. Limited to 300 and pressed on clear vinyl, each copy of the 7-inch includes an MP3 download card for the three songs, plus two additional tracks as well. Likewise, One Win Choice has pressed 100 limited edition CDEPs with hand screen printed jackets. Those include all five songs and will be available at shows from the band. For more information, go to www.onewinchoice.com or www.jumpstartrecords.com.
Press Contact: Chuck Daley / Beartrap PR / chuck@beartrappr.com / (704) 649-7128
