Meghan Taylor: Lead vocals, Matt Santoro: Guitars, Damian Eckstein: Bass, Jordan Kramer: Drums
------Recorded by Tommy Cormier and Mark Dann
Mixed and Mastered by Mark Dann
GIFTSHOP's follow up to Spooky Halloween Christmas is a rollicking party jam featuring Brendan Stiles (Butterbrain) on Trumpet and Jake Warren (The Harmonica Lewinskies) on Saxophone.
Detailed interviews, record reviews and live show recaps on Astoria, Queens NY based pop-rockers GIFTSHOP has been chronicled here on this site numerous times over the last few years. Now they are back with a brand new Read more
Detailed interviews, record reviews and live show recaps on Astoria, Queens NY based pop-rockers GIFTSHOP has been chronicled here on this site numerous times over the last few years. Now they are back with a brand new song and video for their latest track “Stylish Junkie.” With each member recording their part remotely (as these current trying times advise), modern technology (a positive product of our current age) delivers a slick and professional sounding track. Taking equal care to shoot the songs accompanying video, an homage to pink and pastel 80's era MTV video lore is playfully represented.
The vocals are impeccably delivered, recorded and mixed, with double-harmony enhancements at just the right moments – like on the final introductory “stylish” before the first verse. As for that verse, Damian's lyrics juxtapose fashion sense and drug-fueled decadence, with lines like “where do you find the clothes you wear?” and “Tiny Monkey, has you passing out on the 5 – how do you even stay alive?” Again, the vocals are doubled and harmonized on key hook “Stay Alive!” which also benefits from crunchy guitar chord placement.
DaveCromwell Writes: Late 2020 Reviews
New York City's Lower East Side of Manhattan and the borough of Queens share a unique historical place in the annals of punk rock's evolution ever since The Ramones burst on the scene in the mid 1970's. That same gritty, Read more
New York City's Lower East Side of Manhattan and the borough of Queens share a unique historical place in the annals of punk rock's evolution ever since The Ramones burst on the scene in the mid 1970's. That same gritty, blue collar toughness can be found in today's like-minded and similarly situated rockers GIFTSHOP. Their latest EP “Big In Astoria” (set for a February 16th digital release) delivers five searing tracks of updated power-punk with pop styling that would make Joey, Johnny, DeeDee and Tommy proud. DaveCromwellWrites - January 16, 2019
If you miss the glory days of CBGB punk rock mixed with some pop punk elements, then GIFTSHOP will definitely fill that void with “Biginastoria”. Madness To Creation gives this a 9 out of 10 stars, only because we wish it were longer!
Madness to Creation - March 3, 2019
... as track three of the EP, Stacked, says, the “chips are stacked” in favour of GIFTSHOP. The five tracks on show on this EP are an eclectic bunch showing off GIFTSHOP’s multitudinous talents. Neil Hodge, The Ginger Quiff - February 22, 2019
Truly cyclical, the hypnotic looping of Giftshop’s “We Want You” puts the listener into a delirious trance. Exposed Vocals - February 11, 2019
BLUE MONSTER Singles: Back to Tarbeach and GIFTSHOP who released my single of the year, a double A sided blue vinyl single featuring two different but equally stunning tracks. The in your face 2 fingers romp that is “ Read more
BLUE MONSTER Singles: Back to Tarbeach and GIFTSHOP who released my single of the year, a double A sided blue vinyl single featuring two different but equally stunning tracks. The in your face 2 fingers romp that is “Despicable” and the more restrained almost 50’s rockabilly crooner “Doncha Know”. Neil Hodge, The Gingerquiff.
As you listen to the song, the melody and the style of the vocal performance have a fairly nostalgic feel to them. However, everything else about the song is far from vintage. There’s a colourful freshness to the experience that makes it really stand out. You’re almost certain to recognise this again after hearing it just once, and this would be from a distance, even just quietly in the background. It’s a brilliant song and it grows on you more and more as it moves along. Rebecca Cullen on DONCHA KNOW from Blue Monster.
Meghan Taylor fronts the band that specializes in CBGB's style punk mixed with 21st century pop hooks. Musolist Morning Commute calls the Astoria scene-makers "One of my favorite NYC bands." BLUE MONSTER is GIFTSHOP's 3rd EP. The previously released two singles offer a raucous original anthem in "Cill the Choreographer" and a bull's-eye ballad cover of The Motels "Only the Lonely."
“Despicable” with its driving guitars and plaintive vocals is a straightforward fuck you to an asshole who thinks he does “the things that make him likeable”, but is really just ”despicable”. A fantastic 3 and a half minute romp. “Dontcha Know” shows a softer side to the band – more ballad like and with a real 50’s feel to it. Definitely not aimed at the subject of “Despicable”. Brilliant. - Thegingerquiff.com
Doncha Know by GIFTSHOP
As you listen to the song, the melody and the style of the vocal performance have a fairly nostalgic feel to them. However, everything else about the song is far from vintage. There’s a colourful freshness to the experience that makes it really stand out. You’re almost certain to recognise this again after hearing it just once, and this would be from a distance, even just quietly in the background. It’s a brilliant song and it grows on you more and more as it moves along. - Rebecca Cullen
TOURIST TRAP features two of GIFTSHOP's most popular anthems: The fan fave LEFT RIGHT and the haunting hypnotic PARKING LOT ASTRONAUT. Hop in - enjoy the ride!