Simple Circuit

All hail the return of Inhalants bassist Lisa Rickenberg to the local stage. While Simple Circuit still parks in the garage, it’s not sharing a two-car space with the late, lamented, local intoxicants. Simple Circuit fires synapses of every art school graduate to have navigated UK punk’s exhilarating first wave: Buzzcocks, Wire, and especially the Fall. In fact, singer/guitarist Kevin Hoyas veers so far into Fall leader Mark E. Smith’s lane, a paternity test should likely be performed. Hits like “Hey Young Minds” and “Sattrash” certainly bear the hallmarks of Smith’s obtuse song-craft, but tangy guitars and the pounding, nimble rhythm section Rickenberg anchors put enough of the band’s fingerprints on these songs that they need never fear lawsuits from Elastica. Following two fine singles and an appearance on Casual Victim Pile II, Simple Circuit delivers one of the finest debut long-players to stumble out of Beerland.

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This article appears in February 7 • 2014.

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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.