Gun control and Russian Moles are on my TV
Blue screens destroy all dreams
While we’re spilling the tea
Mental illness is gonna kill us
Straight outta Astoria, GIFTSHOP merges talents from The Hi-Scores (NYC) and Rochester’s Bee Eater and White Cotton Panties. They carved out a niche with their 21st-century blend of punk, alternative rock, and pop, laying it down on their five-song “800 Million” EP. Their live shows are a force to be reckoned with, especially in their home stomping grounds in Queens. Their song Things I Feel was featured on the 2022 season finale of ABC’s hit series The Rookie.
The band’s lineup features Meghan Taylor on vocals, Matt Santoro on guitar, Damian Eckstein on bass, and Jordan Kramer on drums. GIFTSHOP’s songwriting stretches across pop-punk, rockabilly, grunge, and even a stellar power ballad. Meghan Taylor’s vocals steal the show, shifting from a riot grrl snarl to raw, heartbreaking vulnerability.
Stylish Junkie tells the tale of a character with a wild fashion sense, teetering on the edge. Beneath the flashy exterior, there’s a struggle, a desire for escape. The highs and the lows clash, with the stylish junkie living for the night, caught between allure and a sense of lost direction. There’s You expresses deep loneliness and hidden pain, emphasizing that despite being broken, the speaker’s struggles are invisible to others. The presence of someone special brings a sense of truth and connection, contrasting with their concealed sorrow. This person seems to offer a glimmer of hope or understanding amidst the speaker’s isolation.