7 Reasons You Should Give a Shit About Turnstile | Revolver

7 Reasons You Should Give a Shit About Turnstile

If you're not down with the Maryland hardcore crew already, get with it

Maryland hardcore band Turnstile released their excellent new album Time & Space today (February 23rd), which you should absolutely pick up. If you've visited RevolverMag.com more than once over the last six months, you've probably come across the band's name, but maybe you're not familiar with them and don't know why they're so badass and so important to heavy-music culture right now. We've interviewed and written about the guys — singer Brendan Yates, guitarists Brady Ebert and Pat McCrory, bassist Franz Lyons and drummer Daniel Fang — many times, but if you don't have time or the attention span for a long-ass, in-depth story (we don't blame you if not — we're fucking busy, too), we've compiled a quick list of seven reasons why you should be paying attention.

Turnstile's bond goes much deeper than just making music together
"We're friends first, not bandmates," Yates explains. "Brady and I have been jamming as far back as I can remember. Franz had never touched a bass when I asked him to join. Daniel is an old friend that I've known since I was 17. I feel really blessed to be in a band with these guys."

They've been literally bleeding for hardcore since they were kids
When Fang was about 16, he hopped a Chinatown bus from D.C. to Philly for a hardcore fest — where he got punched in the face in the pit. On the upside, when he was cleaning off blood in the bathroom he ran into some kids he knew from shows back home and ended up crashing in the hallway of their hotel room. "Sounds kinda miserable, I guess, for most anyone," he says, "but it was a magical experience for me."

They're more interested in bringing people together than making it big
Yates says of the band's mission: "It's not as much about taking over the world as it is to create a world that you can feel good in."

They don't put limits on their sound and are all about weird collaborations
Time & Space features guest turns by Tina Halladay of power-pop outfit Sheer Mag as well as EDM super-producer Diplo. "Put a soul singer or a maraca or a tambourine on," Lyons says. "I feel like we're not setting any parameters on what can happen with our music."

In part as a result, their music is catchy as shit
"Alternative radio was a big part of my musical background, but I've always liked dance music and things that have a groove, too," Yates enthuses. "Especially David Bowie, Blondie and Talking Heads. I love Devo, too."

They're challenging hardcore's dress code
"It's all intertwined with skateboarding," Lyons, who moonlights as a model, says of his sartorial choices and those of his bandmates. "Streetwear, street culture, city culture. You really can see how everything is tied together, running through each other." Which somewhat explains the guys' penchant for floral-print pants, overalls and short shorts.

Their live shows are fucking insane and fucking fun
The band's concerts are exuberant affairs full of onstage gymnastics, coordinated jump kicks and high-spirited crowd participation. "I can't think of any other environment where I would do the things that I do onstage, or to see people twist and turn their bodies in a similar way," Yates enthuses. "It can't be duplicated."