If Hey Mike! had violins they would be Yellowcard. FACT. There’s a Ryan Key-esque vocal, the same guitar tones and similar song structures. Yes, I know that’s a lazy comparison, but it’s what I hear when I turn this, admittedly quite good, EP on. The fact that it’s released on YC guitarist Ben Harper’s label probably just adds to my argument – whether it be lazy or not. If you’ve not yet sussed out Takeover Records’ latest signings, they’re a pop-punk band with plenty of melodies, but no violin. And therein endeth today’s comparisons.
‘Embrace Your Hooks’ is a competent five-tracker, which may not be high up the originality stakes but at least it does rock. And quite hard at that. Vocalist Steven has a strong vocal, which although it does remind me of Ryan Key, is still almost perfect for the pop-punk the band play. It’s gritty in places, with the faster tracks coming off a lot better than the ones which plod along a little. ‘Has-Been & Wife’ kicks like a mule, while ‘One Truth Said’ has plenty of melodies and cool hooks.
Hey Mike! are pretty good for what they do, but they probably won’t escape the Yellowcard link, especially as they’ve signed to Ben Harper’s label. A little unoriginal maybe, but it’s carried with enough flair to warrant my beady eyes being kept out for them in the future.
www.heymikerock.com
Takeover Records
Paul