3 Feet High & Rising: Regional Justice Center's Ian Shelton Returns with A New Band Militarie Gun, New EP & New Music Video (Convulse Records)
Ian Shelton is the driving force behind Seattle-based Hardcore Punk/Fastcore/Powerviolence troupe Regional Justice Center. Shelton has spent time playing with like-minded bands Bully, Clarity, Drug Culture, Habitual Offender, Hiding Place, New Gods, Stress Relief, and most notably, Self Defense Family. Earlier this year, Regional Justice Center unleashed an awesoely-titled EP dubbed Regional Jurtice Center assisted by Justice "Jurtice" Tripp (Angel Du$t, Trapped Under Ice) and a one-track digital single/7-inch EP for "KKK Tattoo." Now, Ian Shelton has returned with yet another new project, Militarie Gun. Shelton's latest project clearly draws inspiration from 90's Melodic Post-hardcore and was first announced back in April with a 2-song Demo EP. Militarie Gun has now been revealed as a full 5-piece band, which, according to Stereogum Senior Editor Tom Breihan, appears to feature Drug Church guitarist Nick Cogan, Modern Color drummer Vince Nguyen, two additional mysterious players, and, of course, Ian Shelton himself. Late last night, Militarie Gun quietly self-released their proper debut release, a 4-track EP entitled My Life Is Over on Bandcamp.
Said EP's credits further detail: "All songs Written and Performed by Ian Shelton, Except additional vocals on "Kept Talkin'" by Steph Jerkova and Mellotron on all songs by William Acuña. Tracks 1 & 4 Recorded by Nick Townsend in Costa Mesa, CA. Tracks 2 & 3 Recorded by Kyle McAulay in Costa Mesa, CA. All songs Mixed by Kyle McAulay and Mastered by Nick Townsend. Thanks to Convulse Records." So, judging by that brief EP "breakdown," it appears as though Militarie Gun's two additional unnamed members may very well be Steph Jerkova of Regional Justice Center fame and William Acuña. It's, also, worth nothing two tracks from Militarie Gun's aforementioned demo, "A New Low for Progressive Society" & "Life In Decline," re-appear here in fully fleshed out form because of course they do! Plus, it appears as though Ian Shelton hasn't slept since COVID-19 related lockdowns/quarantine has started because he, somehow, found time to self-direct a music video for "Dislocate Me," as well. It features Shelton & Militarie Gun playing "Dislocate Me" performance-style in a dusty old warehouse while a couple of kids make-out and enter various stages of undress right behind them. Depending on your current working situation, it may or may not be NSFW. Militarie Gun's My Life Is Over EP is now available on streaming platforms, as well as limited-edition 7-inch vinyl, via Convulse Records.