Music had always been a lifeline for Militarie Gun frontman Ian Shelton. Growing up in a small Washington town, Shelton was drawn to the raw intensity of hardcore punk as an outlet for pent-up frustrations (a love affair I can certainly understand). After years of honing his craft in other bands, most notably as the drummer and vocalist for Regional Justice Center, Shelton found himself stuck at home during the COVID-19 epidemic and in need of expressing himself more clearly. He sought to create music that pushed beyond the traditional boundaries of hardcore, with an ear towards melodic harmonization, and thus Militarie Gun was born. Their debut full-length Life Under the Gun features some common themes– anxiety, self-doubt, the struggles of daily existence– and blended aggression with a surprising catchiness that appealed to punk purists and newcomers alike. It was this unique element that actually got the album’s opening track “Do It Faster” featured on a Taco Bell commercial (yes, I Shazamed that shit) and elevated them into the mainstream.
Standout Songs: “Do It Faster”, “Very High”, “Will Logic”, “Never Fucked Up Once”, “Big Disappointment”,
