Welcome back to Current Magazine’s Peer Review! Every week we’ll be posting a short conversation with a local band member about who their favorite local band is and why. The following week we’ll talk with a member of the band that was previously named and the feature will perpetuate itself in wonderful succession.
Previously on Peer Review: Congress drummer Aaron Quillen discussed his love of Human Skull. This week we talked with Human Skull, who has been on the scene for the past three years. They are a three piece band who had kept crossing paths over the years and decided to start making glorious punk rock together. Stefan Krstovic, drummer in Human Skull, says “it’s been hard to pin down our sound to a single genre, it’s something we’ve always struggled with,” which is a great trait to have as a band. Earlier this year they released a self-titled full length album, which can be purchased on their Bandcamp page. Listen to “J. Ramsey” from this release below.
For this Peer Review post Human Skull drummer Stefan Krstovic talks about his favorite local band.
Who is your favorite Washtenaw County band?
My favorite local group at the moment is Hydropark.
How would you describe Hydropark’s live show?
We never got a chance to play with them, hopefully in the future we will! I think that in a weird way, we could complement each other if we were billed together. They are very driving and trance-like and calming at the same time, where I feel like we are kind of the opposite vibe but we also have a very driving sound. Just a lot less focused!
What musical influences do you hear in their work?
They are a modern kraut rock band. Definitely hear a lot of Neu! Influence.
What about them makes Hydropark your favorite local band?
I’ve seen them a few times but my favorite was recently at the Get Up vintage store. The band consists of two analog synth players which is kind of defining of their sound, steady bass lines which really hold the groove together and drums which at times could almost sound like a drum machine but at other times really go off playing fills and getting pretty loose with the rhythm. Their live show appears to go off without a hitch but for all I know it could be being totally improvised. Their album that came out this year is great and you should definitely get a copy before it sells out! And go see them live if you have the opportunity!
Hydropark released a self-titled album in May of this year, which can be ordered on their Bandcamp page. Take a listen to their signature synth driven sound on standout track “Ravine” below.