Earth to justinbailey

I can’t wait to hear what’s next for justinbailey, whose 2007 EP, Crisis, sounded like a speeder bike chase through a post-apocalyptic world. That epic release is on my mind as I park my bike at the band’s house on Violet Street and venture inside. Guitarist Brandon McLain is gutting an amp and eager to tell me the soon-to-be-released album is called Earthbound. “The music is more stripped down,” explains drummer Travis Mason. “We were trying to get back to what we liked about punk rock.”

Bassist Brian Domingue is playing Skate or Die on an original 1980s Nintendo. “Yeah, something more humble,” he says.

Earthbound holds 10 new songs, an intro and a three-song block that was once an unreleased demo. “This is a surprise on the new record for our old fans,” McLain says.

So where in Baton Rouge can you hear live versions of justinbailey’s new songs? Several bars, just not The Caterie or The Varsity, venues the band says have banned justinbailey because of its riot tank of fans. “We’re trying to get banned from all of Baton Rouge,” jokes Domingue.

Then I suppose it would be time for a tour. I expect it would be worth the drive. myspace.com/justinbailey