Earlier this year, The Dying Arts released their self-titled, debut EP – a five-song compilation of old-fashion alternative rock (if you think the ’90s is “old) or as the band likes to say, rock/punk/wimpy indie schlock. Their music is in the mould of Fugazi, Moist, and Against Me!. Like these bands, The Dying Arts can play thrashing tunes with soaring guitars and screaming vocals, like on “Scratch” and “Bed Spins”. They can slow it down a notch and make mid-tempo rock songs full of hooks and an infectious bassline, such as on “Fame” and “Snake in the Grass”. But then they can slow it down and create a melodic alt-rock tune just so the crowd (and likely the band) can catch its breath, as reflected in “Control“.
The Dying Arts will be performing a few shows in the fall, including on September 7 at Festival de l’Outaouais Émergent in Gatineau. They are known in Toronto for their intense, no-holds-bar live shows, as they leave everything on the stage. Their EP release show soldout the iconic Horsehoe Tavern in Toronto. They’ve also opened for Protest the Hero. But what’s better than that? Thanks to Michael Portoghese, the band’s frontman and guitarist, The Dying Arts are also linked to METZ, and PS I Love You, and The Almighty Rhombus – three bands I profiled last year in the same article. So yes, Michael, you get a gold star!
The Dying Arts consist of Portoghese, bassist Simon Poole, drummer Joe Torchia, and guitarist Daniel Scuglia. Their EP was produced by Jon Drew, who has also worked on albums by METZ, Fucked Up, and Tokyo Police Club. You can purchase it on their Bandcamp site and iTunes. You can also check out the five singles below.
Website – http://thedyingarts.com/
Facebook – The Dying Arts
Twitter – @TheDyingArts
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