That’s a definitive statement, but it’s a statement that will prove to be true in coming years as people look back at “Cute To Be Mean” and examine its impact on culture. It’s modern in every sense of the word, but it simultaneously pays homage to the Rock & Roll from which it gets its heritage. Like the band members who created it, the EP is eclectic in the best of ways. Derek Hibbard, Bionca Maldonado, and Daniel L. Jackson not only represent diversity in who they are as individuals (proudly Queer and people of color) but also in the sounds and styles they bring to their songwriting. Bionca’s vocals and songwriting evoke memories of Liz Phair or the Cranberries. Hibbard’s riffs demonstrate a deep appreciation for bands like Cake or Screaming Trees. And Jackson’s drums and guitar riffs bring a rougher Nirvana or Pearl Jam vibe to the table.
But “Cute to be Mean” is no throwback album. It merely nods to great Rock from the past. Rather, it’s one of the most progressive and poignant pieces of art to make it into modern music in years. The project is one part rock, one part Grunge, with hints of various other styles and influences along the way. Yet there’s a lightness to it – a joy that shines through from these friends who truly love the art of creation. It’s as if the world has been waiting for these three talented musicians to find one another to create something truly magnificent together, and now that they have, the world is grateful.
“Our sound is so wide and varied and touches on so many genres and sub-genres that it’s hard to define in one word or phrase,” Hibbard said. “Certainly it’s rooted in Punk ideology, but there’s often such an elitist attitude with Punk Rock. That’s not us. We’re fun. We play fun music with emotional depth to it. If anything we’d call it Pastel Punk because it’s Punk Rock that pushes away all that machismo and ‘Dad-Rock’ titles. It transcends the Punk genre.”
The Centaurettes truly capture something magical with “Cute to be Mean.” Across the project’s six songs the band both offers an introduction to their brand of music while also saying something deeply important to the world about society and culture and learning to get along with one another. The project starts with the Maldonado-written “The Barge,” which immediately evokes thoughts of Liz Phair or The Cranberries. That then leads into the standout single from the project, “Spider on the Wall,” which was originally penned by Hibbard but ultimately had touches from all three players in the band. It’s a song with a lot of angst, with a vibe similar to Screaming Trees’ “Nearly Lost You.” But the angst isn’t forefront – it’s merely a companion to the simply, groovy riff with a couple of chord progressions that give it a smooth, and in some ways creepy, vibe.
“This song was an important turning point for us,” Maldonado said, referencing the evolution of the band and how this song helped them turn a corner. “It’s a song that allowed us to utilize a lot of the tools we had worked with over quarantine, and to try to work on some harmonies in different ways. More than anything it’s a way for us to show off all the things we’ve been working on and showcase our skills in a way that will be embraced by a broad spectrum of people, we think.”
The third song on the EP is “$10 on Pump 13,” which is essentially Hibbard giving one long rant over the top of a driving Kick Bass drum. It feels a lot like Cake’s “The Distance,” though Hibbard brings his own unique spin to it to give it more of a modern-day twist. That’s followed by “Birds and Bees,” which evokes thoughts of Better Than Ezra thanks to Jackson’s drums and guitar licks. The band then slows it down a little bit with “Dear Diary,” which again features Maldonado on lead vocals against an old, groovy analog sound with a modern polish. And finally, the EP closes with the powerhouse hit “Playing With Dolls,” which feels like a modern-day approach to an old Green Day song.
“We knew as soon as we got into the studio that this project was going to be something special,” Jackson said. “Things just came together naturally. This one really exhibits how we put so many things together and went with it to see where it would go naturally. There are a lot of messages in here that a lot of people can connect with. What is my life? What am I doing? It’s an EP that will make you re-evaluate and sit and think about things. Where am I in this moment as I listen to this song? What’s going on around me? So many people are facing this internal conflict right now, and we really believe these songs will help them find their own connections. What does this music make you feel, and what does it make you want to change about your life or the world around you?”
The Centaurettes EP “Cute to be Mean” is currently available across all streaming platforms. To listen to their music, or to follow them on social media, please visit the following links:
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/uLjEzuc8qoA5ZWoR6
https://instagram.com/thecentaurettes?igshid=12sgduesmcp51
https://www.facebook.com/thecentaurettes/
