New Jersey-based indie rock trio Quiz Show presents their new single ‘XONO’, which explores the painful gap between idealized romantic aspirations and the harsh truth that a promising bond is ultimately doomed to fail. This is the first taste of their forthcoming 3-song ‘XONO’ EP, released via New Jersey’s Magic Door Record Label.
An original tune on the high hopes of friendship and love, and the difficulties that lie therein, the ‘XONO’ EP was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by award-winning producer Ray Ketchem (Guided By Voices, Luna, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, The Dambuilders) at Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, NJ.
‘XONO’ starts with a surprise encounter and overture, the chorus moving through the process of acknowledgement and let-down. The bridge resolves that this relationship is not going to work before the song concludes with a final “I’m not it” to drive home the point. The story arc progresses from noisy start and rising progression via the chorus, allowing the author’s thoughts to break through, ending with a high-energy music and vocal piece and a resonant final lingering echo.
“I really love ‘XONO’ for being a tight, quick, and complex song. There is some great simplicity and pleasant dissonance in the music. That it tells a story about difficult relationships is something I am proud to have found a way to spell out,” says Chris Matthews.
“As for the ‘XONO’ EP, it captures the life of Quiz Show over the last year. For me, singing is coming more naturally these days. I still can’t believe this whole thing is happening!”
Quiz Show is made up of Chris Matthews, a founding member of of legendary DC hardcore band Shudder To Think, and bassist Jesse Krakow, together with drummer Joe Billy III, who replaced the original drummer Kevin March (Guided By Voices, The Dambuilders, Shudder To Think).
You could say Quiz Show is a continuation of unfinished business. After a quarter-century break, Chris Matthews picked-up his guitar and again began to write songs, triggered by a chance meeting with his former Shudder To Think bandmate Kevin March. Now both living in Montclair, Kevin and Chris ended up forming Quiz Show with Frank Gibbons on bass.
Quiz Show makes music that is still squarely within the punk and alternative rock spectrum with elements of Hüsker Dü, Pixies, Ramones, Joy Division, Fugazi, Sonic Youth, and Girls Against Boys. Blending the musicality of alternative pop with the energy and noise of punk rock, vocal hooks overlay heavy drums and bass and layered guitars, creating a rich field of sounds.
‘XONO’ follows Quiz Show’s ‘Flotsam’ EP, released in 2024 and engineered by Ketchem and Brian Robbins (Blondie, Bring Me The Horizon, Papa Roach), which explores the shattered, lost stories of people’s lives, and their 2023 eponymous debut album, an electrifying collection full of protest, friendship and frustration, both released to wide acclaim.
As of September 1, ‘XONO’ is available everywhere digitally, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The full ‘XONO’ EP will be released on September 28. Quiz Show will be performing on October 2 at Crossroads in Garwood, NJ, along with The Van Pelt.
EP CREDITS
Chris Matthews – guitars and vocals
Jesse Krakow – bass, organ, and backing vocals
Joe Billy III – drums, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Produced by Ray Ketchem
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Ray Ketchem
at Magic Door Recording, Montclair NJ
Recording at Magic Door Recording, Montclair NJ
Songs by Chris Matthews and Quiz Show
© 2024 Shake at the Thought (BMI)
Cover photo by Mike Roller
Design by Ray Ketchem
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR