Bay Area Power Poppers The 1981, made of Adam Widener (lyrics, guitar, lead vocals on “Soft Goodbye”, backing vocals), Bobby Martinez (lyrics, synth/ organ, lead vocals on “Count On Me”, backing vocals), Alex Halatsis (bass, backing vocals), Colin McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), and Paul Igaz (drums), climax the full release of their 2-track 7″ single “Soft Goodbye” b/w “Count On Me”, via Dandy Boy Records, a return to the band’s early Garage Rock roots, with the video directed by Bobby Martinez himself and Corey Poluk, for the flip “Count On Me.”
Nostalgic, vibrant, and ear-worming, “Count On Me” is a song about ‘taking one on the chin and keeping a stiff upper lip even when you’re heartbroken and down’, driven by jolting, powering drum beats and prowling bass lines, obsessively simmering with raspy and chopped fuzz guitar grooves alongside whirling keyboard flares, around low husky, seemingly aloof, vocals, backed by high anxious haloes, releasing subdued anger and frustration into relentless waves of tension.
The visuals directed by Bobby Martinez and Corey Poluk, blend a brooding backstory shot by CoPo around Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, with shadowy clips of The 1981 playing “Count On Me.” Unique architectures, historical landmarks, and a sandy shore strewn with geese set the intimate backdrop for the lead singer of the song, Bobby, as he walks, head held high, under an introspective mix of sunlight and shadows.
The 1981‘s new 2-track 7″ single, “Soft Goodbye” b/w “Count On Me”, is out now via Dandy Boy Records.
Keep up with The 1981:
l-r: Paul Igaz (drums), Alex Halatsis (bass), Bobby Martinez (lead vocals, organ), Colin McDonald (guitar), Adam Widener (guitar, backing vocals), photo by @youngroyal88
