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onelinedrawing

Onelinedrawing: The Volunteers

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by Adie Nunn
One-time Far front man, Jonah Matranga (aka Onelinedrawing), is one of those musicians peddling the fine line between sappy, punch-worthy emo boy martyr, and sensitive, proper singer-songwriter. He’s unlikely to sell a million albums but that’s OK – he can be our little secret.

You see, due to the tongue-in-cheek nature of tracks such as the breezy ‘Over It’ (complete with chant-along at the end) or the comical “boys keep FUCKING up my car!” whine found on the all-too-short ‘Oh, Boys’, it’s difficult to dislike ’The Volunteers’. There’s plenty going for it: the observational lyrics of ‘Livin’ Small’ with its “punk rock pimps and ho’s”; vulnerable weepies such as ‘Stay’ and its Interpol-like guitars, and the more stripped down dump-ballad ‘Believer’; full band rock-outs (although these are in the minority) and an instrumental penultimate track which somehow rears its head above the dreaded word ‘filler’.

It’s one of those growers. The lyrics are clever. The running-order is immaculately conceived - it's practically a concept album. The packaging is truly lovely. And he’s just found himself another fan. Do you think he’ll let us adopt him? As long as he cheers up a bit, mind.

  • Onelinedrawing 8 / 10

Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

jonah is a unique talent, and this is (arguably, admittedly) the best record of his entire career. cant wait to see him again.
plus, have been able to get all the bootlegs of his US tour, with his pro-bootleg stance. take note all other performers! just a good good man.

he isnt/wasnt/never will be punch-worthy, shame on you at the thought..


Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

this is easily one of my favourite albums released so far this year, it could well be number 1 in fact.

a full album of great songs (well excluding the intro and interlude) plus the mp3 demos...fantastic value in terms of quantity and quality


hopefully all the numetal/emo kids will be able to appreciate him when he supports FFaF next month.
any news of venues for his solo 'off day' headline shows ???
apparently one is in my hometown but no one knows where !

Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

Hi,

I was also hoping for some solo shows, but as Jonah's site is going through a re-fit information on him is limited.

Any rumours/Confimations as to if there are any solo's and where they are? would be appreciated.

Many Thanks, Tom

Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

i found this at the start of the week...(at a different uk based rock/metal site)

Onelinedrawing
May 3: Newcastle, England
May 7: Newport, England
May 9: Manchester, England
May 10: London, England

Funeral For A Friend, The Haunted, One Line Drawing
May 2 GLASGOW, Barrowlands
May 4 MIDDLESBOROUGH, Town Hall
May 5 WOLVERHAMPTON, Civic Hall
May 6 LONDON, Forum
May 8 NEWPORT, City Live Arena

so those solo dates certainly make sense - newcastle & newport on "days off" and the others are after the FFaF dates.
note one slight problem.....no venues!!!.....and for all my searching i can't find any information other than towns and dates
iv even tryed asking the kind of ppl who would know in newcastle and no one knows for sure yet...other than that its gonna be small, so pub/clubs are more than likely

anyone at DiS know anything ??? cos the site i got those dates from wasnt the only one with them on

Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

ok something different from the label website

May
2: Glasgow, Scotland @ Barrowland
3: Newcastle, England (solo show)
4: Middlesbrough, England @ Town Hall
5: Wolverhampton, England @ Civic Hall
6: London, England @ Kentish Town Forum
7: Newport, England (solo show)
8: Newport City, England @ Live Arena
9: Manchester, England @ Manchester Academy w/ Thursday
10: London, England @ Astoria w/ Thursday

still venues for the solos

Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

wondered when DIS were going to review this :D
i've followed jonah since far days and i found this album odd to listen to at the start, infact to be fair i was disapointed.. but then something twigged and i got it.. (like you do) and i got sucked in and now im back in his world and i love it. and thanks for posting the dates soapy.. however my days been dashed by hearing from jadetree that denali have split up :(

Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

Hi,

I imagine the venue for the newport solo show is TJ's.

Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

The gig tonight, (MAY 7) isnt at newport.
Its in Bridgend at ONeils.
Its listed at www.thevolunteers.net

Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

just seem him play at Wolvo Civic Hall, he was amazing!!!

Re: Onelinedrawing - The Volunteers

This album is amazing, Jonah along with Walter Schreiffels (Quicksand, Rival Schools) is one of the unsung rock gods. Man the guy is a genius. EVRYONE should own this album :).




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