I’m Alone
by Julius C. Lacking
All the kids are going six-seven, but the Gen Xers have known for a long time the real combo is Five Eight. Named after another vague reference for height (if I remember correctly — it was the ‘90s), this Athens, GA trio was famous — is famous — for their deeply personal songs and explosive live shows, with music that draws from emo, punk, hardcore, and (because Athens) jangle influences, without actually being any of them.
Five Eight never got to sell out arenas, but they did get to experience just as much of the internal and external turmoil of being a rock and roll band on the road. Last year’s Weirdo biopic shed light on some of this and greased the skids for the band’s return. And here we are with a new single, “I’m Alone,” which sees vocalist and songwriter Mike Mantione admitting something crucial to himself and having listeners silently nod in agreement. Give it a spin:
The band is not currently touring, though they do have some local shows lined up in Georgia. While you wait for that to happen, check out Weirdo, available for purchase at the band’s website, and possibly streaming somewhere.
Featured image is by Marc Pilvinsky.
