Those who grew up during the ’90s rock scene were treated to an abundance of diverse, melodic successes. Whether your inclinations arose with the grungy vigor of Nirvana, the punk-fueled charisma of Blink 182, or the power-pop/rock fusing from Weezer, the period had a lot to offer for fans of hooky, riveting rock music.
A reverence for that period is something many 30+-something music fans have, including Garrett Gates, who fronts the Pittsburgh-based project Mr.Wizard. Citing his most prominent influences as “RHCP, Weezer, Blink-182, Modest Mouse,” Gates crafts a sound steeped in exciting rock nostalgia, embracing the punk and grunge integrations of the ’90s.
The project aims to combine original songwriting and unmistakable nostalgia, thoroughly succeeding on the newly released I Know I Don’t Know EP. Opening track “I Don’t Want to Think About It” excites with its throwback guitar pulses and angsty vocal delivery, the Blink-esque punk-friendly tones driving into a riveting title-referencing hook. From the percussive heavy, metal-tinged “Wait and See” to closing punk-rock anthem “Greener,” the EP impresses throughout.
Stream the EP:
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“I Don’t Want to Think About It” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of September 2022’ Spotify playlist.
