Three years ago, Militarie Gun was merely a concept. Within hardcore circles, Ian Shelton was known as the singer, drummer, and sole constant member of Regional Justice Center, another band that originated as an idea. Shelton formed Regional Justice Center in tribute to his brother, who was incarcerated at a facility bearing the same name due to assault charges. Shelton’s fast, jarring, and pummeling songs became an outlet for both brothers, with his incarcerated sibling occasionally contributing lyrics. After relocating from Seattle to Los Angeles to pursue a career in filmmaking alongside Regional Justice Center tours, Shelton found himself at a standstill when the pandemic struck. Unable to tour and with video production work drying up, he needed a different creative outlet, and that’s where Militarie Gun came into play.
Ian Shelton wasted no time in channeling his emotions and ideas. Militarie Gun’s two-song demo emerged in April 2020, just a month into the pandemic. Shelton took charge of every instrument, crafting a sound rooted in hardcore while drawing from other influences—flinty and angular ’90s noise-rock and post-hardcore, hooky and powerful ’90s alt-rock and post-punk, and even a hint of the Beatles (a previously unnoticeable influence on Regional Justice Center now audible in Militarie Gun).
Rather than meticulously penning his lyrics, Shelton improvised them in the vocal booth. Even as his music embraced a sunnier and more inviting sound, his raw, frenzied bellowing persisted. It was often challenging to discern whether his lyrics were an admonition to unnamed peers or a self-directed reflection: “Not everyone’s problems are yours! In the end, you live with it!” Despite its personal and intimate nature, this expression resonated. The two-song demo birthed a four-song debut EP, and Shelton expanded Militarie Gun into a full-fledged band by enlisting members from other notable groups: guitarist Nick Cogan from Drug Church and drummer Vince Nguyen from Modern Color. Militarie Gun transformed from an idea into something tangible.
Over the past three years, Militarie Gun has been remarkably prolific. They released three impressive EPs, along with a compilation of EP tracks and bonus material that reached LP length. They even covered John Lennon and collaborated with Virginia’s Dazy, a one-man fuzz-pop project, on the infectious track “Pressure Cooker,” which became my favorite rock song of last year and even found its way into a Taco Bell commercial. Militarie Gun signed with Loma Vista and joined Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Management (I reached out to Shelton to inquire if he’s met Jay-Z, and he responded, “I have stood next to him, but have not met him.”) With all these accomplishments and an extensive discography, it’s somewhat peculiar that Militarie Gun’s new album is being marketed as their official debut full-length, evoking memories of situations like Young Thug’s or Chance The Rapper’s mixtapes being retroactively considered real albums. However, there’s no doubt that Life Under The Gun is a genuine and remarkable album.
The distinction lies in Militarie Gun’s approach to Life Under The Gun as a studio LP—a chance to explore and stretch their capabilities across a full-length project. Every choice was deliberate. Shelton co-produced the album with Taylor Young, a highly regarded figure in the hardcore scene, and they invested their own funds, even before signing a record deal, to record at the prestigious Foo Fighters’ Studio 606. Although one older song, the self-critical “Big Disappointment,” made the final cut, Life Under The Gun predominantly consists of fresh material, excluding even the popular “Pressure Cooker”
If you’ve been following Militarie Gun closely, the soundscape you encounter on Life Under The Gun won’t feel unfamiliar. Ian Shelton continues to unleash his guttural roar, punctuating songs with his signature double-tap grunt ad-lib— “Oof! Oof!”— whenever the moment calls for it. His lyrics still delve into themes of anger, desperation, and personal fears of failure, all expertly set to relentlessly infectious music. However, Shelton and his bandmates have discovered new avenues to capture that unwavering catchiness.
Life Under The Gun unveils moments where Militarie Gun’s sound transforms into sha-la-la power pop, spirited Britpop anthems, or glistening college rock. Hints of Sugar, the Lemonheads, and Oasis reverberate through the music. The band’s sonic palette has grown thicker and richer. With decent headphones, you can discern hooks within hooks—background vocal harmonies or hip-shaking acoustic guitars nestled in the mix amidst the distorted riffage. It’s almost a spoiler, but the penultimate track, “See You Around,” surprises with its exquisite balladry. Ian Shelton’s vocals alternate between singing and shouting over tender mellotrons and organs, reminiscent of his own interpretation of a Magnetic Fields song.
Militarie Gun has become more musically ambitious, yet they retain their directness and impactfulness. Ian Shelton still addresses the everyday frustrations that resonate with too many of us. “Seizure Of Assets,” for instance, delves into the “biting bastard leeches” who repossessed Shelton’s car, showcasing his disdain: “It’s endless expenses, for what? I do not get.” On the other hand, the single “Will Logic” tackles the theme of friends who betray you, a subject that has fueled countless hardcore anthems. Despite the sparkling, seasick guitar-churn reminiscent of late-’80s indie rock, the hardcore-influenced perspective remains an integral part of Militarie Gun’s musical and lyrical vocabulary.
Ian Shelton’s introspective nature often turns inward, contemplating the possibility of betraying himself. In “Think Less,” he ponders the grudges he holds onto tightly, convinced that there is no redemption: “Don’t see a world where you make it right, so I live, live in spite.” However, as the song progresses, Shelton confronts the notion that he might be on the receiving end of others’ animosity too: “List of people I fucked over, do they think the same of me? List of people I’ve fucked over, think less of me, and I agree.”
“My Friends Are Having A Hard Time” touches on the helplessness of witnessing loved ones endure hardship while feeling powerless to alleviate their pain. And in “Very High,” Shelton explores the lows he experiences, seeking solace in getting intoxicated. While Militarie Gun may not be exclusively categorized as a hardcore band in their current phase, their music still carries the weight of profound frustrations and anxieties. Yet, paradoxically, it remains among the catchiest and most spirited guitar-driven rock ‘n’ roll in existence.
Throughout their journey, Militarie Gun has consistently demonstrated immense potential. Life Under The Gun stands as a testament to that potential, even as the band continues to produce exceptional songs. While I have faith that they will grow and surpass their previous accomplishments, if they were never to release another record, this album would solidify their fulfillment of that initial promise. Not too long ago, Militarie Gun was merely an idea, but now they have manifested that idea into a tangible reality.
Other albums of note out this week:
• Wye Oak’s Every Day Like The Last
• Kelly Clarkson’s chemistry
• Amanda Shires & Bobbie Nelson’s Loving You
• Albert Hammond Jr.’s Melodies On Hiatus
• Lunice’s Open
• Coi Leray’s COI
• Kim Petras’ Feed The Beast
• Destiny Bond’s Be My Vengeance
• M. Ward’s supernatural thing
• The Men’s Fuzz Sessions
• Johanna Samuels’ Bystander
• Kirin J Callinan’s If I Could Sing
• Cory Hanson’s Western Cum
• Jenn Grant’s Champagne Problems
• Big Freedia’s Central City
• Cable Ties’ All Her Plans
• Black Duck’s self-titled LP
• Git Some’s New Blood
• Public Image Ltd.’s End Of World
• Swans’ The Beggar
• Martin Frawley’s The Wannabe
• High Priest’s Invocation
• Elijah Wolf’s Forgiving Season
• Pardoner’s Peace Loving People
• Sid Simons’ Beneath The Brightest Smiles
• Grady Strange’s See You Later, Separator
• Mammatus’ Expanding Majesty
• Austere’s Ativin
• Lloyd Cole’s On Pain
• Portugal. The Man’s Chris Black Changed My Life
• Andy Grammer’s Behind My Smile
• Arthur Russell’s Picture Of Bunny Rabbit
• Stewart Copeland’s Police Deranged For Orchestra
• Confusion’s Storm The Walls (1990-1994)
• Ani DiFranco’s Little Plastic Castle (25th Anniversary Edition)
• The Dream Syndicate – History Kinda Pales When It And You Are Aligned: The Days Of Wine And Roses box set
• Eric Clapton’s The Definitive 24 Nights box set
• Caitlin Rose’s CAZIMI (Deluxe Edition)
• The Jackpot Plays PINBALL, Vol. 1 & 2 compilation
• The Soft Moon’s Exister Remixed EP
• mui zyu’s Rotten Bun For An Eggless Century (Expansion Pack) EP
• Viral Sun’s Viral Sun EP
• Sleepy Gonzales’ Mercy Kill EP
• Kedr Livanskiy’s K-Notes EP
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