Winchester Rebels
Three Sheets to the Wind
As quiet, quirky indie rock slowly creeps into the mainstream, Santa Barbara’s Winchester Rebels are boldly and brazenly championing for a return to the hard rock roots of yesteryear. On Three Sheets to the Wind, the band employs all manner of ‘90s touchstones: grinding guitars, echoed vocals, crisp and pounding drum work. Songs like “Taste of Hell” and “Desolate” conjure thoughts of Metallica and Incubus in equal measure, with their palatable mix of crunching licks, chugging breakdowns, and powerful vocals. Elsewhere, “Johnny” is delivered with a slight punk tinge and makes a solid argument for Winchester Rebels as a viable addition to next year’s Warped Tour lineup.
Recorded in Goleta’s famed Orange Whip Studio, Three Sheets feels like a professional record, and benefits from the bells and whistles that come with the territory. The guitar work is crisp, and frontman Nick Hunt’s lyrics are crystal clear throughout the run of this ten-track offering. More than an impressive first run, Three Sheets is a bona fide record for rock ’n’ roll fans, easily capable of capturing the feel of the Sunset Strip in its notorious ‘90s prime. Visit winchesterrebels.com for info.
