“I like to try and wrap morbid, graphic, visceral lyrics up in happy catchy melodies,” explains Jon Deveaux. “I really like the juxtaposition. I write a lot about mental health, and self deprecation. I try to use visual lyrics.”
Deveaux is part of a new concept with James Findlay called The Tremolos, releasing their debut album with a performance at Paper Wing Theatre on Cannery Row in Monterey. Deveaux wrote, played and programmed the lyrics, guitar riffs and drums on his pulse of punk collection, Barely Alive.
The first track opens with vocal and guitar harmonies introducing “Get High or Die Trying.” Dark lyrics set the mood for the album, and then the drums kick in with a wham, bam, thank you ma’am.
Catchy chord progressions, clean tones with a dash of distortion, a sprinkle of minor chords that make the guitar riffs energetic and memorable harmonies fill each song. While listening to tracks like “Out of Luck,” listeners might register a synthesizer, but Deveaux crafted the sound through a chorus pedal with delay.
Fuzz backdrops, backing harmonies and roaring guitar riffs carry the bridge on “Bleed.” Barely Alive is a showcase of Deveaux’s creativity, musical skill and energy.
All eight songs were recorded in his home, and released last year in 2023 on Distrokid. It was gaining a lot of attention, and within a couple weeks of the album being released, Findlay reached out to Deveaux. The two started to practice songs, and jam sessions commenced. This was the inception of The Tremolos.
Findlay is a Seaside resident and owner of Oscillator Records. He has been playing music for over two decades with groups such as The Silhouette Era and Intimate Stares.
Barely Alive is being rereleased under Oscillator Records as a collaborative remaster with members Deveaux (guitar/vocals), Findlay (drums), James Perry (bass) and Armin Sadeghzadeh (guitar) as The Tremolos. The band pulls influence from contemporaries such as NOFX, Bass Drum of Death, Fidlar and Pixies.
The Tremolos take the stage on March 15, with support from Casino Youth, Lovers Peak and Asilomar.
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