Best of What's Next: Balkans

Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Members: Frankie Broyles (Guitar/Vocals), Stanley Vergilis (Drums), Woodbury Shortridge (Bass) and Brett Miller (Guitar),
Album: Balkans
For Fans Of: Deerhunter, Times New Viking, Carnivores

Musical cohesion is rarely captured like lightning in a bottle. Usually, the final version of songs heard on any given record are the culmination of a creative process years in the making. Balkans know that all too well. This Atlanta foursome of Frankie Broyles (guitar/vocals), Stanley Vergilis (drums), Woodbury Shortridge (bass) and Brett Miller (guitar), have been playing together as far back as middle school. It’s on the foundation of this longstanding friendship that Balkans have added all kinds of infectious pop-weirdness and frenetic punk energy.

A combination of droning layers, melodic riffs and addictive tension gives the band’s eponymous debut record sound not quite like anyone else. When these boys say that they’re not concerned with adapting to trends emerging within Atlanta’s vibrant rock scene, they truly mean it. After honing their aesthetic heard through each of their singles from the past few years, Balkans seem posed to jump outside the Perimeter and go from being garage-rock darlings to precise punk-rock mainstays with their forthcoming release. Paste recently spoke with Balkans when they stopped by to record a forthcoming Live at Paste session—see what Balkans had to say in the video below.