Flechette are one of the best new bands on the Richmond scene. Their energetic post-hardcore attack has attracted a lot of attention in live settings, and their ex-member cred is undeniable, featuring as they do former members of Resonance, Permanent, Memorial, Field Day, The Two Funerals, Tarpit, and 10-33. However, until recently, actual studio recordings of their music were scarce. There was a demo recorded sometime last fall, which got passed around by friends of the band on file-sharing sites. There were even a few scattered mp3s posted for streaming only on sites like Bandcamp and Myspace. But there was nothing tangible that you could take home, throw into your stereo, and crank up to 11.
Thankfully, Sound Era, a new Richmond-based record label owned by members of local scene veterans Mouthbreather, have stepped up to fill this gap, putting out Flechette’s self-titled debut LP as their inaugural release. The 45 RPM 12″ slab of vinyl does count as a full-length release, though just barely–its 7 songs last just 24 minutes, and definitely leave the eager listener wanting more. However, what is here is more than worth the price of admission, with the aggressive post-hardcore stomp of the band’s riffing driven to higher levels of energy by obvious residual influences from the time the members have spent playing fast hardcore. Think Drive Like Jehu at their fastest, Sleepytime Trio at their most aggressive, or Quicksand with the energy of Gorilla Biscuits. There are also experimental touches, made most obvious by the between-song noise interludes contributed by Landis Wine of White Laces and John Hawkins of Roy G Biv. This album would have fit right in with the 90s-era chaotic hardcore scene that produced classic recordings by Unwound, Clikatat Ikatowi, and Swing Kids, but it’s just as welcome here today. In fact, it’s just another of the many examples that we are presented with on a daily basis of just how abundantly awesome the Richmond music scene is, and while it can be hard to keep up with everything going on in this town, this is not an album that you can afford to miss.
Flechette’s self-titled album can be ordered through Sound Era’s webstore, or picked up at any of Richmond’s fine local record stores, such as Deep Groove, Steady Sounds, Plan 9, and Vinyl Conflict.
