It's a running joke between my friends and me that I'm a 45-year-old dad in a 20-year-old aching body (I can respect an impressive grill job, I wear jorts with my Crocs a little too often, and I complain about my knee pain too much, okay?). So, of course, I had to check out this band and their first release. So, grab a cold one from the fridge, put that La-Z-Boy in recline, don't you dare touch that thermostat, and enjoy my review of Dads On Couches' first EP, After Two Years Of Grinding, All We Have Are These Measly Demos.
Dads on Couches lounge primarily in Monroe County, Michigan. And when they aren't resting their eyes, these guys have some pretty serious jobs. The lineup consists of a funeral professional, a doctor of clinical psychology, a dean of students, and an operating engineer. Put all that together, and we have a group of dads retelling the ups and downs that come with fatherhood, criticizing those nasty parts of society, and discussing mental health. The band, led by brothers Christopher (vocals) and Nicholas (bass/vocals) Capaul, worked hard for 2 years on this debut, showing these dads can still rock. And that hard work paid off.
Colonel McHowell Knows Best
Just like the rest of this EP, "Colonel McHowell Knows Best" channels that self-aware, midlife crisis energy: part comedic tribute to suburban patriarchy and part rebellion against those expectations. This short, punchy, melodic punk is filled with dad-centric swagger. This song is there to grab the attention of listeners, and it does just that.
Enfeeble (Don't Take It Away)
This track sounds like a textbook pop-punk, turn-off-your-brain type of song. All EPs/albums need at least one of those, and this is it. This track is beyond catchy, so don't be surprised to be humming along for days after listening. It's repetitive, has upbeat instrumentals, and is easy on the ears. This track won't be taken away from you anytime soon.
L.F.A
Of course, a song talking about anxiety is Beau's favorite on the EP, but not just for being too relatable, I swear. It reproduces that classic skate-punk sound of bands that I listen to frequently, such as NOFX and Assorted Jelly Beans. A perfect song to listen to while skating late at night to forget the world.
While the familiar skate-punk sound is what stood out to me, I feel the vocals on this song are the most captivating. The bouncing back between Christopher's clean pop-punk signature vocal sound and a grittier, angrier tone was a great choice for this song. This track scratches that itch in my brain that craves a soundtrack to the anger caused by my own low-functioning anxiety while still letting me have fun with it. Who has time to worry when you are busy screaming these words?
Idolatry
We all have idols, whether that be a family member, a friend, or, in most cases, a celebrity. Sometimes we worship and shape ourselves after these people to a point it is unhealthy. This is where the fourth track, "Idolatry," makes its mark on calling out the blind worship so many of us do in this modern world.
When I look in the mirror at my reflection / I hate the boy I see, there’s no question / That I’d give everything, Star Wars toys and all / To walk a mile in Scooter’s shoes and feel like a boss!
Like the other songs on this EP, "Idolatry" is melodic but with a bite. It is punchy and to the point, a perfect recipe for dad-punk in my opinion.
WTF?!?!
“WTF?!?!?” is the explosive closer of Dads on Couches’ debut EP, After Two Years Of Grinding, All We Have Are These Measly Demos, and it’s the emotional and sonic climax of the record. Going all out with the hammering bursts of double-time beats provided by the drums keeps this song's momentum rolling strong. A three-minute purge of emotions spilling out into our laps. The cap of this bottle, filled with pent-up middle-age frustration, comes flying off with sonic rage. It is a perfect closer that leaves us wanting more.
As a debut album that took 2 years, After Two Years Of Grinding, All We Have Are These Measly Demos definitely will open doors for Dads On Couches. I can only hope the best for these dads and for them to keep doing what they love. I will be waiting (hopefully not 2 more years) for their next release. Who am I kidding? I would totally wait as long as it takes. In the meantime, check out their socials! Perfect for those couch doom-scrolling sessions!
