Restraining Order dropped their third LP, Future Fortune, in mid-September. Over a Zoom call, vocalist Pat Cozen keeps it simple. “I’m excited for it to come out. And then get back on the road.” This spirit reflects the music on the record with motivation to move forward continuously. 13 songs over 23 minutes; no track over three minutes. Hell, only two joints reach 2:30.
Restraining Order is revamped with a new label, Blue Grape Music (Fugitive, Code Orange), and the band is proud of this record. “It’s been really relaxed; feels like no big change. We just keep doing what we’re doing.” He notes that when they first spoke with Blue Grape, the label provided an alluring comfort with one statement on their initial video call chat, “We Just like what you do. Just keep doing that and go harder.”
Future Fortune kicks off with a riff lingering in solitude as it provides a call back to late '80s US Hardcore. Then, the drums commence with a jolting Oi! beat. Once everyone joins, especially Cozen’s vocals growling, the song stomps defiantly. “Know Not” sets the vibe immediately.
Cozen sets the scene of recording Future Fortune. “We were excited. The mixes went well. It's the first time Will (Hirst, drummer) didn't mix and he just recorded. That went well. Also (that we) recorded in a studio instead of Will's practice space. Will rents out a room in a studio.
"It was nice for all of us to record as a band together. Usually, I just sing alone. I just would come up when they were done with the music. It was cool to have everyone there three weekends in a row and just get it all out.”
For this record, Tom Delgety was brought in to mix. Considering he has two Grammy nominations (Ghost), he was trusted. No need to question if he will “get punk." His resume has includes Subhumans and Killing Joke. But, yes, Delgaty has also worked with Tribulation, The Mission, Pixies, Opeth, Clutch, Green Lung. Then the record has handed to the legend in our times, Brad Boatright as is tradition. Cozen, “We‘ve worked with Brad Boatwright before on our other two records. So, we knew that he was going to come through and be solid.”
The following two tracks, “Shame Game” and “Insomnia” are blistering embracing the vibrant drive of early U.S. Hardcore, which is the basis of the band forming back in 2017. This was their specific goal. Which has been achieved with the first to raging LPs.
The fourth track, “Free Ride," is rife with angst. But the rockin’ riffs draw from glam and '70s/'80s UK punk. Think Slade and Sweet for the obvious. Grab some of The Boys and The Vibrators. This sounds like the most natural expansion for Restraining Order.
Cozen specially named "Free Ride" as a favorite to bust out. “I like (it), it’s a fun one to sing. It’s kind of poppy and fun.” I can imagine with that wicked chorus propelling finger pointing and stage rushes.
These tunes and influences in no way smother the foundation of hardcore and punk. In 2022 when I did “best of…” lists, I shamelessly wrote that their “Fight Back” as the best Oi! song. Meld that sound with some '80s and '00s hardcore punk, and you can hear 86 Mentality, Circle One to the Circle Jerks, No Time, Rest In Pieces, Fucked Up (in multiple songs but check “Adapt”), Blitz, Infa Riot, etc.
Bassist Keith Freeman stated in a 2019 No Echo interview that Craig Ahead (Sick of It All, Agnostic Front) was his “main influence” along with Harley Flanagan (Cro-Mags) and Tony Lombardo (Descendents) as well. These bands are all factors in the universe of the band but they emerge with their own sound.
In other interviews, Freeman has lauded Cozen’s style and ferocity. Here those are honed. Cozen is a smaller dude, polite and succinct in his replies. But any mic he holds amplifies bitter snipes and jousts in a gruff voice.
Lyrically Cozen says he has the same process. “Like always (I start) with our usual formula, at first. What's happening in my life and what's going on in the world. A continuous theme of looking into the future with all the new things happening. Reflecting on how we made it this far and got to do so much.
"Writing these first 3 records, it feels like a trilogy in a way. My life was so different during each record.”
That tenacity brought Cozen perspective about the current product of that time. “Now, we are at a place where we can chill out and be more strategic."
As far as summoning new lyrics, sometimes he breaks out the notebook with nascent ideas and lyrics. Other times Cozen throws on the headphones and sits with virginal, untouched pages. “I like hearing the song first and I'll just play it a bunch of times. It will give me a (certain) feeling and what I think the song should be about […] Usually, I find the hook and build off that.”
Then, Cozen reedits. Although he notes that many of the previously written lyrics line up perfectly. “I’m pretty good at fixing things right away. It was cool to be in there (the studio), because I knew the changes right away. Of course there's always fast parts and I'm just talking smack the classic hardcore way,” he chuckles with tongue firmly in cheek.
Future Fortune boasts a bold declaration that Restraining Order have established themselves and will continue to mosh forward. The straight raw punk approach, mixed with new peppered elements only strengthens name. Then, add the fact that they record with three guitarists, the weird and noisy under layer has fun tangents and supplements. Dylan Tobia records and tours, but they have Kyle Beaudreault and Jake Miller in the studio but not on tour.
Whatever riff magic was concocted between these friends is a gift to the scene while being great sonic inspiration for Cozen. The vocalist concludes:
“I always like growing as a band. I (have) spent eight years with these guys. I knew we were going to keep growing and keep writing different stuff with influences. You have to. Also, if this is your third full length, you want to keep coming up with new ideas. I was ready for it. I was excited about everything they sent me.”
***
Future Fortune is available now via Blue Grape Music.
Restraining Order on social media: X | Instagram
Tour dates with Koyo, Ben Quad & Leaving Time:
Thu, OCT 23 Velvet Underground Toronto, ON
Fri, OCT 24 Mahalls Cleveland, OH
Sat, OCT 25 The Sanctuary Detroit, MI
Sun, OCT 26 Reggies Chicago, IL
Tue, OCT 28 X Ray Arcade Milwaukee, WI
Wed, OCT 29 Woolys Des Miones, IA
Fri, OCT 31 Marquis Denver, CO
Sun, NOV 02 The Shredder Boise, ID
Mon, NOV 03 Mission Theatre Portland, OR
Tue, NOV 04 The Vera Project Seattle, WA
Thu, NOV 06 Cornerstone Berkeley, CA
Fri, NOV 07 Lodge Room Los Angeles, CA
Sat, NOV 08 Voodoo Room San Diego, CA
Sun, NOV 09 Rosetta Room Mesa, AZ
Tue, NOV 11 Paper Tiger San Antonio, TX
Wed, NOV 12 Club Dada Dallas, TX
Fri, NOV 14 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Sat, NOV 15 Vans Warped Tour Orlando, FL
Mon, NOV 17 Amos Southend Charlotte, NC
Tue, NOV 18 Canal Club Richmond, VA
Thu, NOV 20 Pearl Street Washington DC
Fri, NOV 21 Arts at the Armory Boston, MA
Sat, NOV 22 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, PA
Sun, NOV 23 Racket New York, NY
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