Album Review: Schoolyard Heroes, ‘Abominations’

by Leigh Silbernagel in Album Reviews, Concert Reviews, Musician Reviews, Reviews, Song Reviews, bands to watch

May 13, 2008—I was driving in my car in January when I first heard Killswitch Engage’s pathetic cover of Dio’s “Holy Diver.” I have never been so enraged and offended at a band– ever. The first song I heard by Schoolyard Heroes was “Children of the Night” and I thought, thank God the spirit of Dio lives on. Doing a background check on Schoolyard Heroes revealed that purevolume.com removed their song “Dude Where’s my skin” after a day—despite the fact that it was the fastest downloaded song in the history of purevolume.com. The fact that KsE disgraced Dio’s ‘Holy Diver’ is more offensive than the horror-punk sounds of Schoolyard Heroes. But because they are “disturbing” and “morbid” they get taken off purevolume? I think 1988 called and they want their Reagan era religious-right’s control of free expression back. Their most recent album is ‘Abominations–’ and it combines skilled guitar riffing with melodic lyrics and a haunting message.

[The Band]

Hailing from Seattle, WA, they have two albums with The Control Group; most recent album is ‘Abominations’ out on Stolen Transmission. Members are vocalist Ryann Donnelly, bassist Jonah Bergman, guitarist Steve Bonnell and drummer Brian Turner. ‘Abominations’ was recorded and produced by John Goodmanson.

Out of all their influences, they didn’t mention Alice Cooper, which surprised me; but they mentioned Guns n’ Roses, the Misfits, Queen, Black Sabbath, Skid Row, Motley Crue, Van Halen, Michael Jackson, Mars Volta, and Led Zepplin and many others.

[The Performance]

I saw them perform on Saturday, May 3^rd at Bamboozle 2008. At 2:05 I found the merchandise tent for Schoolyard Heroes as Ryann Donnelly was getting ready for the set. When she moved to get backstage I followed. I was so close I could feel my clothes vibrate from the sound completely in sync with the power chords—which felt amazing.

They opened with “Cemetery Girls.” There was a tribal drum intro as the bassist and the guitarist entered. Donnelly made her entrance in sync with the tribal drums and she commanded the stage. There were a couple times where she wanted to smile but couldn’t because it would ruin the persona—since she was going for zombie. This is real live talent that sings about death.

The 2^nd song was “Dude, where’s my skin.” The riffs and arpeggios were amazing. The stage show is reminiscent of Alice Cooper, and she sold the persona through the use of her facial expressions.

The 3^rd song was “Violence is all the Rage.” The guitar playing was amazing. In between songs, the guitarist asked the crowd, “Who is your favorite band (at Bamboozle)?” and a fan yelled, “NO ONE YOU OWN!”

The stage show fits the band, their persona, and the vibe they are going for. It was also fun to watch the security guard at Bamboozle get a little weirded out by Ryann’s performance. I noticed the other musicians on deck nodding their heads to the drum playing and serious riffage—any musician will tell you that the greatest compliment a musician can get is props from other musicians.

[The Interview]

I interviewed Ryann Donnelly.

When/where/how did you guys form as a band? What’s the story of how you got together? We met in high school. Jonah went to college, the first year of college we got together.

How did getting signed happen? What is the story of how you guys got signed?

We knew Sarah Lewitton. We met her on tour 2 ½ – 3 years ago, right when our last album came out. We stayed in touch and she put it out.

How did you get your band’s name? It pre-existed. Jonah has the idea for the band’s name before anyone was in it and said, “I want to start this band.”

What have been your biggest music influences?

Debra Henry, Blondie, Axl Rose, Guns N Roses, Freddie Mercury of Queen

Biggest reward or biggest challenge you’ve faced as a band (you can answer both or either one)? It’s the same thing- completing an album. Every time we complete a record, we feel a feeling of accomplishment, but it is a daunting task to start a new one. Each album means we’ve gotten better at songwriting and it makes the challenge worth it.

How long have you been on tour and what is that like? We’ve been on tour for 9 months. We’ve played with amazing bands and made amazing friends. It’s been incredibly trying. It’s impossible to do this unless you love it.

What is the advice that you give to other bands? Don’t get wrapped up in the idea of being in band and making it famous. Keep it real. Write good music, tour your – off. Play as many shows as possible.

[The Album]

Abominations — It’s Death melodic because of the combination of post-Hardcore, Horror-punk, and Metalcore. It also features impressive pop metal qualities, subtle use of vocal harmony, extensive vamping, vocal centric aesthetic, minor key tonality, electric guitar riffs, on top of hard rock roots. It’s the music that you play at a Halloween party, or that you listen to for the same reasons that people choose to watch horror movies. Usually, a band will either have a lead singer whose charisma carries the band, or solid instrumentation that makes up for the inadequacies of the lead. Bands that accomplish skill in both areas are few and far between.

“Dude, where’s my skin”— There is Dio-esque guitar playing, nicely done effects on the bridge, haunting lyrics and a gothic-Gwen Stefani voice control.

“Plastic Surgery Hall of Fame”— This song highlights the range of Ryann Donnelly, and the call and response of her and the male backup singers nicely done. The song’s strong points are skilled guitar riffing and the drums provide a nice counter balance.

“Cemetery Girls” — Has a tribal drum intro, and then the transition and build up to the guitar playing is skillfully done. This song highlights the vocal control of Ryann Donnelly and her ability to belt out the melody.

“Violence is all the Rage”—Intro with Ryann Donnelly’s powerful voice and then guitar and drums join. The guitar playing serves as a counterpoint to the lyrics and the melody. Stylistically it is hard rock roots, subtle use of vocal harmony, extensive vamping, vocal centric aesthetic, minor key tonality. Musicianship is there, skilled guitar playing, transitions work well, and drums are never too loud which work.

“Children of the night”—In this song, the power chord intro and arpeggios are amazing, as well as the juxtaposition of the singers melody with the killer electric guitar riffs.

“The Last Man on Earth”—As the name suggests, its gothic-morbid in lyric content. It’s Gwen Stefani doing a haunting lullaby when the sleep is death.

“Razorblade Kisses”—This song has a strong guitar intro, and the drums are strongest in this song compared to the other songs. It’s the music that you play at a Halloween party, or that you listen to for the same reasons that people choose to watch Horror-Zombie-slasher-end-of-the-world movies.

“Sometimes They Come Back” – Has the best guitar solo yet. As always, Ryann Donnelly delivers a melodic, skilled performance maintaining control of the song. The songs get increasingly gothic-morbid the longer you listen to ‘Abominations’- like how horror movies get scarier the longer you watch them. Fade out ending at the end, right after an Guns N Roses style guitar solo. I love this song for the guitar playing.

“Beautiful Woman Hunter” —This has a more subdued intro as well as the essence of Dio’s Holy Diver. I love the guitar playing here as well. It’s melodic for the first half, then transitions into power chord and screamo effects, then resolves to the mellow part.

“All the pretty corpses”—Has an electric guitar riffing intro, and when the drums join in it is Dio in terms of style, musicianship and instrumentation. This is the ultimate- angry break up revenge song,

“Screaming ‘theater’ in a crowded fire” – Has a haunting intro, lyrically it sounds similar to some of their other songs. As always, there is expert guitar playing and Donnelly delivers a skilled performance

[The Bottom Line]

No one should ever be allowed to cover Dio. The best you could do would be to emulate the spirit of Dio, and Schoolyard Heroes does that. The Schoolyard Heroes have the essence, spirit and talent of Ronnie James Dio. At a time when a lot of bands are copying each other and combining garage rock with power-pop-post-punk-alternative, Schoolyard Heroes delivers to those who want great musicianship and horrifyingly epic lyrics.

–leigh silbernagel May 13, 2008