The Triceratops is less a reboot of the ’90s alt-rock sound they love, and more of a new chapter/ the next logical step for fans of the genre. John Van Atta (vocals/guitar) and Melvin Monreau (drums/vocals) bonded instantly over their love of the grunge scene in the ’90s while working their teenage fantasy jobs as stagehands at the mecca of punk rock, CBGB. 

Having their faces melted by the likes of Joey Ramone, Melvins, and Cro-Mags was certainly educational, but mostly they saw lots and lots of local bands. They learned a lot about what it takes to be in a band, what to do, and more so what not to do. On nights off, they often spent time playing covers by Swedish post-hardcore anarchist band, Refused. Additionally, Van Atta played in a Beatles cover band, which required knowing 142 songs! This laid the groundwork for The Triceratops sound; roaring guitars, loud drums, crashing cymbals, and beautiful melodies. 

Following the closure of CBGB, the pair lost touch for years. Monreau spent time touring with bands both on stage and off, while Van Atta started a career working with kids with autism. They reconnected at a Future of the Left show and talked about how much they missed the music that was both heavy and pretty, then said “We should start a band that does that!” 

The duo linked up with producer Andrew Schneider (Cave In, Unsane, KEN Mode) to make 15 hook-filled anthems for the terror and joy of working-class life in 21st-century America. Renters should be warned that it may inspire you to pogo so hard your downstairs neighbors will call the cops. They titled the record Charge! (Learning Curve Records) and sees release on November 1. Purchase it here.

The opening riff of “Can’t Take You” brings you towards the top of a roller coaster where a snare roll blasts you through melodic loops, tight turns, and steep drops. The adventure love story, ‘I’ll Go if You Go’ proves that loud/quiet/loud formula still works. The acoustic, ‘Neoliberal Bedtime Routine’ will break the heart of anyone who can relate to the loneliness of parents working too much. And ‘Efficiency Expert’, which premieres here today, shows their NYC noise rock influence.

Van Atta explains, “The lyrics are an anatomically accurate description of what office work does to a human body. Stress intensifies these effects exponentially. Efficiency experts choose who gets laid off so corporations can take a bigger share of the wealth we created. ‘When we crash through your ceiling, we deserve what we’re stealing’ is a call to break the glass and take what’s ours.”

Photo by Michael Dimmit