Locals Chalk Tiger Serve Up Fierce Growling Rock That Breaks Out of the Punk-Rock Cage

Taken from their just-released full-length High Charity, the tune “Dange Close” from Chalk Tiger claws at all of the elements that arguably make punk rock a make-or-break affair.

Thankfully, the volition of this Northeast Florida trio has more melodic quirks than rote ’77-style punk while also boasting a surfeit of grit that keeps them from succumbing to coy indie-twee that leaves one in a somnambulant hangover. Local as boiled peanuts and neck-bellies, the song and album were recorded at Warehouse Studios and the production has a crisp and no-frills mix that accents the strengths of Chalk Tiger: in this case, snarling vocals a-plenty, trebly bass, shard-stabbed guitar tunes, and even the classic “1-2-3-4”-breaks that is the veritable blowing shofar/bugle/sound healing bowl of the slam pit.

The band (guitarist/vocalist Bryce Powell, bassist/vocalist Ryan Cobb and drummer Blake Powell) have covered a lot of ground in a short time. Gig hungry that borders on ravenous, Chalk Tiger are regulars at area venues (including an upcoming gig this Thursday, October 5 at The Walrus and opening for MSSV at Jack Rabbits on Saturday, October 21) and contain elements of a worthy and equivocal garage-rock energy that only adds to their overall appeal. Good stuff.

More New Music

You can hear new tracks from Chalk Tiger, and music from local, regional, national and international artists on our music discovery station The Independent 89.9 HD4. And you can follow our Fresh Squeeze playlist on Spotify to stream all the best new music, updated every month.