“FinalBossFight! showcases instrumental precision and sing-along punk hymns with their S/T”
The trio based in Lansing, Michigan released their tightest work to date with their sophomore LP “FBF!’. This DIY project has had my attention for the better part of a year and I can honestly say they contribute to the exciting Michigan scene in a perfect way. An album filled with examples of artists honing their craft and finding a groove that sticks with its listeners, including your favorite punk, emo, and even ska flavors.
The S/T opens with a familiar tune for avid followers of the band. “Winter Coat” was released as a single in the summer, but a different version that had the albums closer “Shorts” combined into one song. A very fun, fast-paced track with lyrics painting a “burnt-out” character on the struggle bus, wondering about someone far from home.
I’ve been listening to “Escape From Roku City” for longer than the population thanks to my very sub-par MLBTheShow skills, beating John in an online game for an early look at it. The chunky bass-line sets the tone for a really grungy sounding track with some angsty, serious themes of stressful work weeks and never-ending depression. Something I’ve always loved about FBF! are the lyrics at the end of some tracks that repeat just enough to make you remember it and feel like singing along.
The album artwork does a great job prefacing some themes throughout it, three friends creating a colorful, handmade motif thats often celebrated within numerous garages and houses in Michigan. Friends is a great way to describe the group, with John and Sage forming a bond as teens playing in a classic rock cover band. John explained that he and Sage always “liked more of the punk and emo stuff”, exchanging comments like “nice Wonder Years shirt”. From there they decided to make music to “cry and dance to”, releasing an EP and a single in 2020/2021. Billy joined in the summer of ’21 after a bat signal tweet callout for a bassist, something that John says couldn’t have been more perfect.
Highlighting the mid-section of the album are “cute!” and “Super Computer” both really insightful in their own ways. John and Sage switch spots on “cute!”, finding each other in comfortable spots. John mentioned that he and Sage spend time writing parts on each others instruments all the time, then bringing the part together with Billy like a perfect enzyme. John said “if it has a lot of words, its Billy he’s a fucking genius…one of the smartest guys I’ve ever met, seriously”. Going off this, “Super Computer” is an obvious Billy craft that really highlights the aforementioned statement. A fun ska sounding tune that caught me by jubilant surprise when the album dropped a couple weeks ago.
It might be a stagnant word to describe this album but fun is exactly the word that works for me. Since the first time I met John in Lansing and kind of “wedged” myself in to the Michigan music scene, it has been nothing but pure fun. In the times I’ve spent around the people in FBF! and the surrounding scene, I have never felt more special to be around so many talented and charismatic humans that thoroughly enjoy making music and celebrating as friends whenever possible.
We get the rest of the summer single with the albums closing track, “Shorts”. To truly experience this song I would recommend getting to a show involving these three as soon as possible! Some people would argue that you can only say something so many times in a song before its annoying, but I think it rides a cool line, that is even better when you’re jumping around and pushing your friends at The Goblin Zone.
I can sound biased when talking about this band, but this album is a really cool example of the overall state of music at the moment. Staying relevant in such a scene that can change by the day is pretty hard and I think they can keep making music that holds up to standards set by other great DIY trailblazers. John mentioned producing an album entirely in his garage can be a struggle and getting help from people like Tyler Floyd and all of his friends can make it easier to handle.
For the rest of 2023 FBF! is staying local to Michigan, also playing a stacked show at Lager House in January featuring other favorite acts in the emosphere. A tour is on the horizon in the spring, a DIY tour is something of nightmares for bright-eyed bands but FBF! feels more excited to hit the road once the snow is off the ground. I hope for nothing but good transmissions and merciful potholes for my new friends and gifted artists FinalBossFight!
FFO: Joyce Manor, Green Day, Microwave, Modern Baseball
The Diygest 
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