By Gabby Redding | May 28, 2023

Almost 10 years ago, The Front Bottoms released their sophomore album Talon of the Hawk, a collection of 12 tracks chronicling the limbo between adolescence and adulthood, the tumultuous ride of young love, the sobering weight of maturing, and the profound revelations that arise when revisiting childhood through a newfound lens of understanding. Among the album’s standout gems, “Twin Sized Mattress” reigns supreme, capturing the unbridled vitality reminiscent of their eponymous debut while heralding the band’s evolution towards a pop-infused, high-octane sonic landscape, strung together by their ever-growing mastery of lyricism.

“This is for the lake that me and my friends swim in
Naked and dumb on a drunken night
And it should’ve felt good, but I could hear the Jaws theme song
On repeat in the back of my mind
Make sure you kiss your knuckles before you punch me in the face
There are lessons to be learned, and consequences for all the stupid things I say”

The Front Bottoms celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the album with a tour, featuring AJJ as a supporting act. the groovement caught them at the Paramount on May 20th, where the sold-out show played out in a two-part set, beginning with Talon of the Hawk in its entirety, followed by some of their most beloved songs from their catalog, including “Maps” and “West Virginia.” 

While the show was in Long Island, the crowd was filled with fans from New Jersey, where Brian Sella (vocals, guitar) and Mat Uychich (drums) got their start through a DIY-approach to their music, self recording and releasing their music until they signed with Fueled by Ramen. This led to a nostalgic quality in their earlier music, where you can hear the occasional background sound of a house party hidden behind Sella’s nasally, but now iconic, vocals. Their rise has been slow, but constant, as they evolved from playing these parties to small bars in Jersey, local tours, and then moving to sold out shows across the US and Europe. They’re slated to play major festivals over the summer, including When We Were Young Fest. Additionally, they have an upcoming Album Release Show at the iconic Red Rocks venue, coinciding with the release of their latest album, “You Are Who You Hang Out With,” which is set to drop on August 4th. If the lead single, “Outlook,” is any indication of what’s to come, fans of the earlier Front Bottoms sound will be happy. It marks a return to some of the nostalgic, eccentrically descriptive lyricism and gritty production that endeared them to fans from the start.

“You followed your path and it led you here
Now you do your work in a neighbor’s driveway
Picture’s still hanging from a rear view mirror
Distracted by a past so far behind”

Connect with The Front Bottoms on Instagram, Spotify, and their website.

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