What’s Not To Love About ‘Against the Gun’

Four members of the Washington, DC-based band Celebration Summer came together over a mutual appreciation of melodic punk rock from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Power and confident, there’s absolutely nothing not to love about the group.

Celebration Summer, who took inspiration from groups like Leatherface, Samiam, and Hot Water Music, released their debut EP, Against The Gun, on Little Rocket Records in November 2020. I came across it while looking for bands for a future CPRW Records compilation, and I loved the bands so much that I had to review the compilation as well.

Celebration Summer, a band from Washington, DC, was formed by four people who connected over a love of melodic punk rock from the late 1980s and early 1990s. In November 2020, Celebration Summer’s debut EP, Against The Gun, was made available on Little Rocket Records. The band was inspired by artists such as Leatherface, Samiam, and Hot Water Music. I discovered it while looking for bands for a future CPRW Records compilation, and I had to review the compilation as well because I loved the bands so much.

Before the track’s strong vocals enter, some tempo-driven guitars open the song. When a song begins with a question, I always pay close attention, so when I heard the first line of “What Did It Mean?” my ears perked up. This song, which is perhaps something most of us can relate to at some point or another, is about self-improvement and attempting to save a relationship. The best way to listen to this song is at maximum volume.

My Devotion is the third track on Against The Gun. The track’s vocals, for the most part, felt much more subdued than they did in the first two tracks, which let the hard-driving guitars, catchy bass, and intricate percussion shine. The song’s progression gives the impression that the reins are becoming increasingly looser, which greatly increases the track’s emotional impact. The song is about navigating life and how it can sometimes feel like your wheels are spinning, things are moving forward, and you’re left behind. Another very relatable topic. The six-minute epic Against The Gun is the last tune. One of the most moving songs of 2020, this one has a tremendous amount of power.

It’s a song about feeling like everyone is against you and knowing that even when your life is in danger, they won’t step in to save you. The lead singer, Nate, declares at the beginning of the song, “I don’t know how much more of this I can take,” which quickly conveys his rage and despair at how they are treated. I’m not sure if this song was written before or following the incident in which American police shot and killed George Floyd last year, but that incident brought attention to the appalling racism that exists both in the USA and around the world, making this song and songs like it even more poignant.

I anticipate hearing a lot more music from Celebration Summer in the coming years because they are excellent. This is a band that I think a lot of people will enjoy and that deserves your attention. Hopefully, their relationship with Little Rocket Records will allow them to tour the UK sooner rather than later.

Check them out here!