The Chain Gang of 1974

Daydream Forever (Warner Bros.)

“Why do people like you think everything is all right?” choruses the deceptively titled “Death Metal Punk” on the Chain Gang of 1974’s sophomore slump. They should answer their own question. The brainchild of singer/multi-instrumentalist Kamtin Mohager, Daydream Forever overflows with the sunny vibes of the Denver native’s new Los Angeles home, spinning a millennial’s idea of state-of-the-art EDM: lava lamp synthesizers, roiling electronic percussion, and a general sense of ennui despite the laid-back, happy nature pervading the proceedings. “Miko” bursts with rock & roll aggression from guitars that may or may not be sampled, but that’s a rarity here. Thankfully, so is the oonse, oonse, oonse propulsion and bombast driving most modern dance music. The best that can be said about this Chain Gang: At least it’s imaginative. (11:30am, RetailMeNot stage)

**

This article appears in October 3 • 2014.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

Tim Stegall contributed to The Austin Chronicle 1991-1995, and was a staff writer 1995-1997. He returned as a contributor in 2013. He has also freelanced for publications ranging from Flipside to Alternative Press to Guitar World. He plays punk rock guitar and sings in the Hormones.