Guest List: ROMP's Top 10 Tightest Things of 2014

ROMP at The Saint in November.

ROMP Is Tight

"Tight" can mean a lot of things slangily: emotionally close (Joe and I are tight), cheap or stingy (Lend me a dollar, man. Don't be so tight.), drunk (I don't know. I think you were a little tight when you called me last night.).

In the context of New Brunswick band ROMP (twitter.com/rompistight, facebook.com/rompistight, rompistight.bandcamp.com), though, I think we'll go with "very good, excellent, cool, awesome."

OK. Maybe drunk, but I don't know them well enough to say.

What I can say is that ROMP and their 2014 EP, Sorry, Not Sorry, are two of my favorite discoveries of 2014. They're a punk pop (pop punk?) foursome fully committed to DIY and to playing every basement in New Brunswick. They're tight. So tight, in fact, that Texas cassette imprint, Funeral Sounds, is putting out Sorry, Not Sorry as a split with the Red Hands EP from Belmar's Toy Cars.

Being experts in tightness (and branding, obviously), ROMP give us the definitive list of Top 10 Tightest (as in coolest, most excellent, most awesome... ...drunkest?) Things of 2014.

You can catch ROMP tomorrow, Christmas Eve Eve, just over the border in Warwick, NY, when they play "Bands, Billiards, and Booze" with Pigeon and Books. at Village Billiards.

Top 10 Tightest Things of 2014

by ROMP

Tightest Music Video: Pup, "Reservoir"



Pup have been on their game with music videos. Every single one they have put out has been awesome. This one in particular is especially great because of all of the action and adrenaline. It’s pretty dope when that cymbal goes through his chest. Check it out. Check out all their music videos. Fall in love with Pup.

Tightest Food: Cinco de Mayo (New Brunswick)



Where else can you get a burrito the size of your forearm for 6 bucks? This is a must hit spot in New Brunswick, especially since it’s open late. They even serve cactus and have free chips. Please take advantage of the BYOB policy. Magic Hat #9 is recommended. We wrote a song about this place. Just saying.

Tightest Song: Girlpool, "Jane"



First of all, this entire album is amazing. But this song in particular is one of my favorites. It could be because I just love hearing about girls not taking shit from anyone, especially men. Jane sounds like a rad chick and I would definitely be her friend if she were real. Aside from that, the high pitched screaming and funky guitar parts are irresistible. I could listen to this song ten times in a row and still want to hear it again.

Tightest Artist: Professor Caveman

This kid is ridiculous. He oozes pure creative energy and we are soaked. Just look at this shirt he made. Have you seen his guitar?

He also happened to do the art on our tape release with Toy Cars on Funeral Sounds. If you get a chance, you should peep his new EP too because he’s one of our favorite musicians as well.

Tightest YouTube Video: Reggae Shark



Ok, If you listen to this every morning when you wake up, we assure you that your life will be better. Reggae Shark is real.

Tightest Venue: Your Unfinished Basement

Madison Square Garden, PNC Arts Center, Starland Ballroom: All dope places! But can you share a 30 of PBR with the crowd at these venues? Can you play a guitar solo leaning on a hot water heater while getting punched in the ear? Can you get in for free if you tell the door-bro you’re super poor and give him a hit of your funny cigarette? We’ll choose the basement, because the basement has chosen us.

Any pic from here is great. Jason Renna is the photographer:

Tightest Fight



Andy Rydell definitely had it coming. How is he going to wear those name brand circus clothes and not expect to get his lights knocked out? If you are into high school brawls, this is your vid.

Tightest Guitar Pedal: Electro Harmonix Soul Food

Ok Luke our bassist recommended this thing to me and the price had me like, “nah this thing sucks” but for real I can never find a reason to turn this overdrive off. It’s a clone of the Klon Centaur for like 1/bazillionth of the price. If you play light you can get loud cleans, if you play heavy you can get some real dirty nasty. It can do anything from clean boost, to treble boost, to just straight up dirt. Get in there.

Tightest Album: Makthaverskan, II



This album was the soundtrack to my winter. I had it on constant repeat. The lyrics and spinny melodies were the perfect combination to get me addicted. I just picked up this record at Princeton Record Exchange (favorite hang spot). When I saw that it was in there, I was so excited and surprised because they are an international band; but I guess it makes sense because they did a US release of this album with Run For Cover this year. Nevertheless, I bought it in a heartbeat. I’m hoping they come to the states this year. I’d probably sell my left arm to go to that show.

Tightest Illuminati Propaganda Examination of a Female Fronted Twee Band: "Frankie Cosmos Reptilian Proof"



Reptilians are real. And Frankie is definitely one of them.  If you don’t believe this, I feel sorry for you *heavy breathing*. Everyone knows ROMP is anti-Illuminati, so this was eye-opening for us.

PS we love you Frankie :) (even if you are a lizard)