New York, NY (Top40 Charts) "If you know
William Goldsmith's name, it's likely linked to one of the bands he played with in the Nineties - Seattle emo luminaries Sunny Day Real Estate, and a little group called the Foo Fighters. But Intermission, the debut by the drummer's new Tacoma, Washington, power trio Assertion, and Goldsmith's first release following a lengthy hiatus from music, shows that he's still a vital creative force. The band's approach is familiar: passionate, post-hardcore-leaning indie rock that makes liberal use of quiet/loud dynamic shifts, in other words, a sound that wouldn't have been out of place in the heyday of Goldsmith's former bands. Its execution, on the other hand, is exceptional: Goldsmith, bassist Bryan Gorder, and guitarist-vocalist Justin Tamminga (whose best-known prior outfit is Pig Snout, an adorable band that's filled out by his kids) perform these nine cathartic songs with a rare fire and conviction. Tamminga's full, gorgeously organic production only ups the urgency. When the trio kicks into an anthemic gut-punch chorus like the one on "Defeated," you'll wish with every fiber of your being that you were howling along at a sweaty club gig."- Rolling Stone
"...they sound straight out of the mid '90s post-hardcore era. William's drumming style is very similar to his work on Diary, and the dark, heavy, atmospheric songs recall stuff like Hum, Jawbox, and Quicksand. Assertion put a fresh spin on this stuff..."- Brooklynvegan
"It's likely a promising sign that this deep into his career—after drumming for the original iterations of
Foo Fighters and Sunny Day Real Estate—William Goldsmith is able to create music with new bandmates that instantaneously clicks...sounds like a bit of a blend of these two bands, while dipping into the heavy shoegaze movement that paralleled grunge and emo in the '90s. Their latest single from their forthcoming debut, Intermission, sounds akin to the dense rock of bands like Hum and Far."- Flood Magazine
"Supervised Suffering" is a sprawling track that moves effortlessly from simmering verses to explosive choruses." - Top40-Charts.com
'Intermission' the debut album from Assertion, the new band of musician
William Goldsmith (ex-Foo Fighters, Sunny Day Real Estate, The Fire Theft), guitarist/vocalist Justin Tamminga and, bassist Bryan Gorder, has been named one of the 'Best Albums of 2021 So Far' by Rolling Stone.
Stream Assertion's 'Intermission' here: https://orcd.co/intermission.
'Intermission' marks the official return of the fabled drummer, who ten years ago, walked away from a successful music career that included stints as a founding member of Sunny Day Real Estate, The Fire Theft, and Foo Fighters.
Together with his Assertion bandmates, guitarist/vocalist Justin Tamminga and, bassist Bryan Gorder, Assertion's debut LP, 'Intermission', is real, propulsive, and earnest -- a cathartic experience that proudly does not nestle nicely alongside current bands -- or really many releases at all from the last couple decades. The album conjures more connections to the heady grit and soaring grind of the 90's. Driving guitars anchored by a frenetic rhythm section. A haunting vocal delivery concealing a heartfelt sentiment. Track-by-track, the record builds into a dark and heavy crescendo but unpredictably retreats into delicate and fragile moments in masterful ways.
Goldsmith says, "A decade-long journey that started out walking away from music has led me right back to it and the very reason I started - but with a whole new appreciation and respect for it. I feel extremely fortunate to be part of this project. It's not just about making music. It's like a force of nature, but in an egoless collaboration that is nothing short of unconditional. The gratitude I have for being given the opportunity to release this music is beyond words. Thank you to everyone for your support through all these years."
Upcoming show:
July 9 Tacoma, WA @ Real Art Tacoma (w/ Pig Snout)
Stay tuned to spartanrecords.com for updates on Assertion.
'Intermission' Track Listing:
Down Into The Depths
The Lamb To The Slaughter Pulls A Knife
Defeated
This
Dream Does Not Work
Pushed To The Limit
Deeper In The Shallow
This Lonely Choir
Supervised Suffering
Set Fire
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www.spartanrecords.com
