By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Sunday, April 8, 2018
For fans of: Sublime, 311, Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Open Minds recently released their album Sex For Breakfast on February 24th. This is their first full-length release, having released a few singles in the past. Since starting in 2012, the group has spent their time honing their craft and perfecting their sound for this full-length album. The four-piece consists of Evan Kohlmayer on Lead Guitar/Vocals, Josh Tyler Ramos on Rhythm Guitar/Vocals, Ryan Hawley on Drums/Vocals and Ryan Fenyak playing Bass Guitar.
According to their Facebook:
“Formed within the quiet dome of suburbia a la New Jersey in 2012, what once existed as an engine for cannabis-fueled jam sessions and restless teenage disillusionment had completed it's transmutation, spitting forth in its wake a reverberation of bouncing melodies, splitting rhythms, positive energy, and the balance lying beneath it all. While the band may have taken an extended hiatus from their original 2012 run until the closing chapters of 2017, their change in function as result of this pause begs more of a question than the answer given.
Since their second convergence, not a moment has gone without use for The Open Minds, having already crossed twelve shows off of their list in the first thirty days of rebirth. With their debut EP on the threshold of a boiling point, an album soon to follow, and a multitude of appearances visible in the near distance, one can rest assured that the group shows no signs of stopping. The hiatus is indeed over.”
When listening to Sex for Breakfast, I hear a true maturity which I imagine came from their time apart. It seems to me that during this time they truly grew as musicians and as individuals. Tracks like “For Life” and “Under Your Spell” demonstrate their understanding of the reggae rock genre and how they incorporate that sound into their music. The Open Minds hit the ground running after their hiatus, playing an impressive amount of shows in their first month back. Now that the group is back, it seems they show no signs of stopping any time soon. Their first full length is strong, and I am sure the music that will follow can only get better. You can listen to Sex for Breakfast here and make sure you catch The Open Minds when they play a show near you.