Every day as I walk off the bus and into work, at about 8:15 a.m., I walk by a small convenience store. It’s always closed, opening only at 8:30. But every day, without fail, there is an older lady standing at the door of the convenience store, looking in, waiting to enter. She doesn’t work there, as there’s staff inside bustling around to get the place ready for opening. No, she just hangs around out there and waits. Waits for 8:30 to come around so she can go in.

Why does she wait? Why does she hang around out there every single day for the store to open? She has to know that it opens at 8:30; why doesn’t she just pop in at that time? Why does she wait at the door for fifteen minutes (or more; she’s already there when I walk by)? What could she possibly need that requires her to make sure she is unquestionably the first customer of the day, every day?

I’m curious about it; real curious. I wish I knew what motivated her. I’d love to take the time and sit down, watch her, see what she does, what she comes out of the store with, get the full scope of what exactly makes someone tick this way. Something along the lines of what I did when listening to Death House Chaplain.

A song like Capture The Flag is a clear indication of just how unrestrained and exploratory the Los Angeles trio is. With their atypical structures and angular rhythms, it’s obvious they aren’t following any lead, and trying out their own paths to reach their destination: that of coaxing, offbeat and sincerely original rock where the guitar is both master and commander. The song travels from hook to hook with surprising results, using punk’s rawness to instill a grimy energy to its garagey self, but with unhinged nuances which shift it from sharp, slicing riffs to laborious, heavy-handed chords, while singer Matthew Holl’s ragged vocals act as a clamorous sidewalk prophet challenging you to listen, and listen well.

But contrary to listening to Death House Chaplain, I’d be somewhat afraid to be disappointed in the lady’s reasons for doing what she does. The mystery of it all gives me enough satisfaction, I guess.

MP3: Death House Chaplain - Capture The Flag

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