Bandcamp link: https://nervouscurtains.bandcamp.com/
By Juan R Govea
Dallas’ Nervous Curtains’ latest release, I Tried To Fight It But I Was Inside It, engages ideas of crumbling capitalistic infrastructures by vocalist/front man Sean Kirkpatrick’s Ballads of revolt in the group’s fourth album since their 2010 debut Out of Sync With Time
With titled tracks such as Paramilitary Re-enactor, Executioner Privilege along with five track titles that set a presence of anti-political ideas more than shines a light on current unjust institutions.
Following three albums, two singles and EP Low Defender (2016), the latest release carries Kirkpatrick’s gothic-like vocals and electric synths of Ian Hamilton and strong percussions of Robert Anderson comprise choir like electronic rock with the three-piece bringing ideas of a catastrophic demise to money-hungry establishments.
Sean Kirkpatrick, Nervous Curtains’ Frontman at Main at South Side | Photo Credit: Johnny Govea
Elements of unrest are more than apparent and exclaimed lyrically in protest described by Nervous Curtains’ front man’s intent saying the group’s political views in accordance with a split political structure and anti-fascist standpoint are purposefully themed throughout the album.
The more than suggestive ideas of civil unrest articulated by heavy and aggressive breakdowns follow Kirkpatrick’s vocally dark monologue with Anderson’s percussions resonated by Hamilton’s and Kirkpatrick’s futuristic synth technics leading the listener from the albums introduction of Mass Amnesia to the final score of People are not Reasonable.
“The level of hyper-nationalism in our society is really absurd. Given the bigger picture of people losing financial security and crumbling public infrastructure while we grow alienated from each other; this is where the demagogue authoritarian steps in to shift the blame to Mexicans, migrants, and feminists, all the while serving no one but the rich and powerful,” Kirkpatrick says.
Ian Hamilton of Nervous Curtains at Main at South Side in Fort Worth TX | Photo Credit: Johnny Govea
The groups first 2010 album was released out of a small Milwaukie label familiar with Kirkpatrick’s fan base from his former group “the pAper chAse.” As a starting point for the group, Kirkpatrick says Nervous Curtains’ sound evolved to the second album getting a decent amount of media attention and evolving from there with the current album spreading online.
Robert Anderson Nervous Curtains’ Percussionist at Main at South Side | Photo: Johnny Govea
“I feel like we are in an age where shorter albums are appreciated,” Kirkpatrick says referring to the release. “I didn’t really know what the album was going to be about at first, like an anti-trump album. After 2016 I was just angry, but speaking for myself.”
While working with many ideas making their sound as interesting as possible, the group recorded all the synth at home then employed the production work of Alex Bhore giving dimension to the album’s synth like vibe.
The group says the idea of touring is not set in stone, but is also not being counted out. Kirkpatrick says offers have been made by near by cities such as Austin TX. You can catch Nervous Curtains Sept. 7 at Harvest House in Denton TX with Mother Tongues and Big Heaven.
