Continuing our new column, wherein we review every last bit of new vinyl that gets sent to us. Vinyl is cool! We play it, listen to it, write about it, love it.

Sleepwalkers R.I.P. have a new 7-inch single out now on Hovercraft Records. It’s handsomely packaged, with collage art by Chris Gunn and an insert that includes pictures of the band and lyrics for both songs. I believe this is the band’s second 7-inch, and it even comes with a little plastic adapter thingy so you can play it on a normal record player spindle.

The A-side, “Young and Old,” is amphetamine punk, with the bass hammering out rapid eighth-notes and lead singer Candy yelling atonally: “If you look too long, your sight will turn to stone… you’ll see gray matter for a second or so, and realize what you saw was gold.” Drums slam and thump, and the guitar thrusts and stabs; it feels like the song is attempting to shake off the drowsy acceptance of aging, refusing to become complacent, never overlooking the wonders and possibilities of life. Basically, not growing “old,” even as one gets older—a hopeful, humane spin on a familiar punk outlook. “It’s a world of ambition for the young and old,” Candy sings.

The B-side opens with an arpeggiated guitar riff before launching into a full-throttle whiplash beat. Justyn sings the melody while Candy simultaneously screams above. “I know that you saw pain,” they holler. “I heard it on your sleeping breath. When I asked what it was, all you said was ‘life or death.’” The ominousness of the lyric is paired with a punky beat, which stares the theme of desperation straight in the face, without flinching.

In many ways, this is another example of the classic DIY punk 7-inch. It feels kind of timeless; this record could have come out in 1988 instead of 2008. There will probably be records just like it in 2028—there will still be vinyl then, I’m certain. In the band’s own words:

So far we’ve got nothing out on cd and hopefully it will stay that way. If you don’t got a record player, your gonna have to get one, go on a journey or something, cd players are just to easy and life and music isn’t so go figure.

Listen to “Young and Old” and other songs at Sleepwalkers R.I.P.’s MySpace page. You can buy the single here.

Sleepwalkers R.I.P. play tonight with Sacred Shock, NIX, and Silent Majority at Exit Only, 1121 N Loring, 8 pm, ALL AGES!

Remember, End Hits loves vinyl! If you’re a label or a band, send us your new vinyl for review. We’ll listen to it and put our thoughts up on the blog. Send it to:
Portland Mercury
Attn: End Hits
605 NE 21st Ave., Suite 200
Portland, OR 97232