Gollylagging: Bostons Next Big Band

Ethan Hill
6 days ago
5 min read

Gollylagging is a fun, noisy, and energetic band hailing from the city of Boston. Their most recent EP “Dry Rot” is a great example of what this band is all about, featuring fuzzed out guitars, unique synths, nasty bass lines and smooth vocals for the cherry on top.

The EP starts with some very nice indie rock vibes and the bass playing a super cool sliding intro, then it’s met with a wall of sound and the smooth vocals mentioned previously. There’s so many levels to “Atv” and for such a short song, it leaves a lasting impact straight from the beginning. It’s addicting, and each little sound or note feels different from the last. It’s a super solid start.

Feeding off the energy that “Atv” leaves you, “Sidewinder” comes to collect it all and shake it up.

This song is one of my favorites off the EP. It’s not too serious, but it kind of is? Like some days it’s exactly how I feel, but other days it’s a laugh. Opening the song with “I put my hands in the paper shredder cause I thought it’d be funny” is pretty goofy the first time you hear it, but the longer the song goes on, you kind of start to relate.

“I took a dive in the bonfire cause I thought it’d comfort me” is one of my favorite lines ever. The lyrics aren’t too complicated in this song, it’s pretty straight to the point lmao. This song is super sick, and it’s a fun one to jam any time.

For the title track “Dry Rot” we get a vibe switch, proving that Gollylagging isn’t just a rock band. In this track we get slow and vibey vocal melodies, a horn like lead section and a bubbly riff that bounces all around your head. The chorus is such a vibe, and so relaxing. This song as a whole is just so dreamy and feels like a descent from some higher place. The static at the end comes in and makes the connection with the fuzzier sound of the 2 previous tracks, and provides a bit of a full circle moment.

Next we get “Cleaver” my personal favorite. This song starts off like something from an old WWE game I used to play haha. The riff is so nasty, and is a headbanger from start to end. The vocals are being yelled, but still feel delicate. Everything about this song is just cool and intriguing. It’s definitely my favorite.

“Ginger Snaps” has one of the coolest intros off this record. Starting out with some fat bass and a super cool, laid back vocal take, before it takes a sharp turn into fast punchy chords and driving drums. The bends on the lead guitar are also such a nice addition and really add a layer of depth to the sound, the high ends cut straight through the bass and fuzziness of the rhythm guitar.

Finally, “Numbskull.”

To close things out, things are much closer to the first couple of songs. You have the bendy leads, the fuzzy guitars, huge drums, and smooth vocals. Something about this song feels much bigger though. It’s a really, really strong song, and an excellent way to close the EP in my opinion. It sounds massive, and the melodies stick with you. Choosing between this song and “Cleaver” was pretty hard, but it’s a very close second.

“Dry Rot” is fun, energetic, noisy and emotional. In just 16 minutes the guys in Gollylagging show they’re more than capable of holding their own, and paving their own way. This EP gets me so excited and I can’t wait to hear what the first full length album will sound like. The vibe that Gollylagging brings to the table is unique, and they’re only getting better. You can hear the development in their sound, and there’s no doubt in my mind when I say they’ll leave their mark on the music scene. Once again, I can’t wait for a full length and it keeps me so excited about the future!!

A Conversation With Gollylagging:

EH: How would you describe “Dry rot” (the whole EP) in your own words?

GL: It’s kind of like Linkin Park without the rapping mixed with Nickelback

EH: The vocals on “Sidewinder” have a really cool layer of whisper under the main take; What was the inspiration for that?

GL: Blessings by Alex G I think

EH: The dynamics you show in just 16 minutes is quite impressive; Do you experiment with new sounds often as a band?

GL: Thanks! We try to, I think we are going to be trying a lot of new sounds on the releases coming up.

EH: What song from the EP is your favorite to play live? What makes it your favorite?

GL: Sidewinder for me personally because I think I am most proud of that one as a whole. And the riff is fun to play

EH: In the title track, there is something going on that sounds like a horn. What is that sound? Was that what you were aiming for?

GL: If I’m thinking of the right sound I think that’s just guitar with a lot of compression and distortion on it. I can’t say for sure if we were aiming for horn but sometimes we like to just put guitar down and try to make it sound like not guitar. So that’s cool that we succeeded there haha

EH: How has the music scene in Boston impacted you as a band? What are some of your favorite things about the scene?

GL: I think the Boston music scene just has a ton of good bands and I feel like that’s inspiring to me to just keep making music and trying to make my own stuff better. My favorite thing about it is that it’s a big scene but you can still pull up to any show and see someone you know.

EH: You hit the road hard for the roll out of “Dry Rot”, nearly a show every day for a month. Do you have any highlight moments from that tour?

GL: Making new friends on the road is always a highlight. We went bowling which was sick. And red robin. People sleep on red robin but sometimes you gotta go. I had some old friends show up to the Charlotte show so that was maybe my favorite show on the tour.

EH: Should fans expect a full-length project soon?

GL: I think that’s the goal for us so hopefully it pans out! We’re always changing our minds with plans but that’s on our list

EH: What are you looking forward to as the year winds down and approaches the final months?

GL: I’m really looking forward to some of the shows we have comin up! Playing some places we love with bands we love. Also just hitting the studio and working on some new stuff that we’re excited to get out once it’s ready!

EH: If you only had one album you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?

GL: Probably Vivadixiesubmarinetrasmissionplot by Sparklehorse. It just has it all and Cow is one of the best songs ever. I could have picked any of his albums though. I also almost picked crooked rain by pavement and so that’s an honorable mention (if allowed)

Thank you so much to the guys in Gollylagging!

If you don't know them yet, don't sleep!!

Go check out "Dry Rot" and cop a tape!

See you next week :) - Ethan