Red Collar True To Their Roots (Updated)

photo by Dave Jones

Red Collar (MySpace) are a five piece post-punk outfit following in the footsteps of a number of successful & revered indie bands out of Chapel Hill. Their debut, "The Hands Up EP," mixes pop hooks with a punk attitude fusing the best elements of Fugazi, Jaxbox and local faves Superchunk. You can't call them pop, you can't call them rock, and you can't completely call them punk, but you can call them a damn fine up and coming band out of an area known for its music. They prove that new music can still be smart and mean something. Their buzz landed them a SXSW showcase earlier in the year. The group will enter the studio with producer Brian Paulson (Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Superchunk, Dinonsaur Jr.) to work on their debut LP later this year. Until then, check out these tracks and if you like what you hear, grab their EP and try to catch them in and around the mid-Atlantic over the next few months. Hopefully a wider tour will soon follow allowing them to bring their music to the masses.

Hands Up (lyrics)

Used Guitars (lyrics)

Stay (lyrics)

Witching Hour (lyrics)