Self Against City

about

Self Against City is a pop-rock band from Sacramento, California. They formed in 2004 and are signed to Drive-Thru/Rushmore Records. For some people, the main goals are a pimped out ride and a pimped out life. Ask Self Against City lead singer Jonathan Temkin about his goals and he tells a very different story. “People are searching for something to make themselves complete,” he says. “If we can inspire people with our music, I can die a happy person.” Temkin may be on to something, especially in light of Self Against City's revelatory new Drive-Thru/Rushmore CD Telling Secrets to Strangers. Produced by Steven Haigler (Pixies, Fuel), the songs on the album were written by Temkin and guitarist Jack Matranga. The two sketched out every progression and guitar riff in advance. The prep time paid off, as a seamless cohesion ties the album together. "Every song is a chapter," says Temkin, "a summation of everything we went through in the last year." He's referring to rock ‘n' roll grad school, i.e., touring a big country in a small van. Every triumph and misbegotten adventure has been converted into song, starting with “Becoming a Monster,” a punch-drunk rocker Temkin calls “our mission statement.” The track exemplifies the band's signature sound: buzzsaw guitars, choppy rhythms and Temkin's trip-wire vocals. “We want to be energetic and melodic at the same time,” says Matranga. “But we didn't want just one song repeated ten times on the record.” Their pattern holds true on

top songs

albums

Take It How You Want It

Telling Secrets To Strangers

Drive Thru Records Sampler 2006

Take it How You Want it (EP)

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Drive-thru Records & Rushmore Records Sampler

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Drive Thru Records Sampler

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Take It How You Want It - EP

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Take It How You Want It EP

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Happy Holidays DTR

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FREE 2008 Sampler

Happy Holidays From Drive-Thru Records

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Drive-Thru & Rushmore Sampler 2005

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