Quiz Show – XONO
Quiz Show features Chris Matthews, a founding member of the iconic DC hardcore band Shudder To Think, bassist Jesse Krakow, and drummer Joe Billy III, who took over from the original drummer Kevin March. “XONO” was produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by award-winning producer Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, New Jersey, and the music obviously benefits from his production experience. It begins with a fuzzy guitar sound and creates a signature college-rock attitude, while other influences from the Offspring and the Ramones give a strong punk vibe to the composition. The music is designed around catchy, short guitar riffs, and the vocals have a sarcastic style that gives the performance a lot of character. The song also has a glam-punk vibe, typical of the early-2000s punk revival and bands like The Toilet Boys. Despite the purposely raw and DIY mentality, “XONO” is far more effectively produced than its immediate punk look would suggest. The songwriting continuously combines simplicity and pleasant contradiction, resulting in an intriguing tension between the interesting elements and the more complicated melodic concepts beneath. The song’s short, compact style also fits the subject matter, as it communicates a story about tough relationships without being overly complex. One of the most fascinating parts occurs between 1:35 and 2:00, when the arrangement temporarily moves away from its main punk attack and into a more power-pop-oriented section. The rhythm takes over, with groovy drums and vocals giving the song a unique sense of movement until the core punk element returns. This little change works especially well, since it provides a new dimension without breaking the song’s flow. “XONO” eventually succeeds due to its combination of energetic punk, college-rock attitude, harsh vocals, and unexpectedly brilliant arrangement choices, resulting in a tight and dynamic composition.
photo by Ray Ketchem
