UK melodic hardcore band THE STEAL closed the chapter on their existence in late 2009. With the band’s quality musicianship and high-energy take on LIFETIME inspired music drawing increasing attention in the US, it seemed like it all came apart far too soon. Half of that band has started anew with PACER, including Dave House and vocalist Mark Pavey. PACER marks a sharp turn away from anything hardcore with a focus on somewhat traditional speedy punk rock with a strong (non-ska/non-horn) OPERATION IVY or AGAINST ALL AUTHORITY feel, as well as a heaping of BOUNCING SOULS. Everything is a bit looser with PACER – the bass lines have a bubbling-brook quality, the guitars not as rigid and warmer sounding.  Mark Pavey’s vocals are not terribly different from his work in THE STEAL, but the somewhat slower pacing of the music (minus the rampaging “Rediscovering The Telephone”) has them in a more prominent place overall.  With its seven songs totaling a brisk 15 minutes, No. 1 is well-diversified introductory piece (and one that is vinyl/digital only too). I’ll continue to miss the punch-in-the-face immediacy of THE STEAL, but PACER proves to be a worthy band doing something slightly less intense, but with greater melodic fervor.

Chunksaah