Deviates

Time is the Distance (Epitaph)
by Scott Hefflon

Seems Epitaph just replaced the Offspring on their roster. Deviates‘ Epitaph debut (after one on Theologian) is tuneful, well-produced (courtesy of Darian Rundall who’s also responsible for a couple Pennywise recs as well as 98 Mute, U.S. Bombs, and Yellowcard), and has all the whoa-whoas you could ask for. And, of course, Deviates are far from one-trick ponies, cuz that shit just doesn’t fly anymore. Vocally less annoying/distinctive than the Offspring, Deviates combine the thunderous approach with the dark, creepy rock style that the Offspring really only started to develop in later years, but these guys quickly grasped it and ran with it, ya know? While the similarity is bound to hound them, hell, better to be a really good Offspringy band than a bad one, right?
(2798 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026)