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The Atlantic Union Project - Brighton Electric Studios.JPG

The Atlantic Union Project

THE ATLANTIC UNION PROJECT may be new to the scene, but this post-punk outfit’s members are all seasoned musicians who’ve been playing in hardcore bands for over 25 years. The aptly named group is formed by a core of veteran musicians from the UK collaborating with Craig Cirinelli (vocals) who lives in Boonton, NJ.

 

Cirinelli’s lineage in other acts is long (Damn This Desert Air, Hidden Cabins, The World Concave, Elemae, etc). Not to be outdone, the UK contingent is equally impressive; David Gamage (guitar) played in Rydell, Couch Potatoes, Joeyfat and Come The Spring. Simon Goodrick (guitar) and Jamie Donbroski (drums) were both also in Come The Spring, as well as straight edge band Strength Alone, and Mark Wilkinson (bass) was in Come The Spring and Rydell, and before that, Rudedog and the BBMF’s. All that energy, accumulated knowledge and musical skill bursts out on The Atlantic Union Project’s upcoming 3,482 Miles EP.

 

The EP’s title has a special meaning, referring to the distance between Cirinelli in Boonton, NJ, and where the rest of TAUP’s members live in Brighton, England.

3,482 Miles was written and recorded during the pandemic, with audio files between sent across the Atlantic, the resulting EP is a love letter to the hardcore music scene. Inspirations include all the greats, ranging from Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, and Descendents to Hot Water Music, Braid, The Promise Ring and Seaweed.


TAUP is:
Mark Wilkinson: Bass guitar
Simon Goodrick: Guitar

David Gamage: Guitar

Jamie Donbroski: Drums
Craig Cirinelli: Microphone

 

Find more on The Atlantic Union Project:
Web home: http://theatlanticunionproject.com

  • TAUP on Instagram
  • TAUP on Facebook
  • TAUP on Twitter

Releases

3,482 Miles EP // ORDERS:

🇬🇧 For UK orders (12" or CD) click HERE for the Engineer Records store!
 

🇪🇺 For EU orders (12" or CD) click HERE for the Shield Recordings store!
 

🇺🇸 For US orders (12" or CD) click HERE for the Sell The Heart Records store!

 

Reviews

PunkNews: http://www.punknews.org/article/77968/check-out-the-new-video-by-the-atlantic-union-project

"This band kicks out high energy, melodic punk rock. There's soaring vocals. There are heart-on-the-sleeves lyrics. And on "Soon to End," the band wraps up ethering they do in one tight little ditty. This track has a lot of emotion, and a lot of punch."

-John Gentile

Razorcake: http://razorcake.org/atlantic-union-project-the-3482-miles-12-cdep

The name of the band comes from its members residing on both sides of the Atlantic, which these days is no barrier to working on musical ventures. This release features half a dozen tracks of heart-on-the-sleeve, melodic punk rock along the lines of A Vulture Wake and Samiam. I enjoy how the rhythm section drives the songs along, whilst the guitars and vocals allow the songs to soar, especially on “Trustworthy,” my favorite of the six tracks. I hope this trans-Atlantic musical venture offers up more like this in the future.

-Rich Cocksedge

Thoughts Words Actions: http://thoughtswordsaction.com/2022/08/09/the-atlantic-union-project-3482-ep-12-engineer-records-sell-the-heart-records-shield-recordings/

"So, we’re steering back to melodic punk rock waters with the upcoming debut EP release by The Atlantic Union Project. You probably heard it before, or maybe you stumbled upon some news we posted about this outstanding band, but if you aren’t familiar with these guys already, you should pay attention now. The Atlantic Union Project is a transatlantic punk rock band made of former and current members of Couch Potatoes, Joeyfat, Rydell, Come The Spring, Threadline, Elemae, (Damn) This Desert Air, Arctic Sleep, Hidden Cabins, etc. If you listened to any of the bands I listed, you probably know what to expect from The Atlantic Union Project. Their sound is a polyphonous clash between ideas, creativity, experience, and years of performing punk rock, pop-punk, indie, and emo music.

3,482 Miles represent the distance between Boonton, New Jersey, and Brighton, the UK, two towns where the members of The Atlantic Union Project currently live, so that’s the main reason they picked this as an EP title. This material consists of six outstanding compositions that span several complementary music genres. You’ll notice how nineties melodic punk rock, pop punk, post-hardcore, emo, and indie scenes inspired these guys to assemble such an excellent debut. The band distilled their love for that particular era of underground music through some fresh ideas, which were cleverly arranged, performed, and produced. Therefore, don’t be surprised if the 3,483 Miles EP sounds like an intelligent clash between old-school and contemporary punk rock music. After all, The Atlantic Union Project presented its sound through three outstanding singles, such as The Actuary, Trustworthy, and Soon To End, promoted by the record labels and the band over several websites and social media.

What I adore about The Atlantic Union Project is the dueling between lead and rhythm guitars. There’s no way you’ll miss those powerful riffs and cleverly assembled melodies, harmonies, and themes. Both guitars are equally present in the mix, so everything sounds even more interesting. Thankfully, the bass guitar is also vividly hearable on each track. Those sharp, clean, almost semi-distorted basslines define the massiveness of these songs. As usual, melodic punk rock music wouldn’t sound energetic without dynamic rhythmic maneuvers, and the drummer knows how to decorate each segment properly. But wait until you hear Craig’s voice. This guy is a beast and never ceases to amaze me with his impressive vocal skills. Each member plays a significant role in defining the sound of The Atlantic Union Project. Replace one of them, and this EP wouldn’t sound the same. I know some readers would like to read comparisons with famous punk rock bands, but The Atlantic Union Project sounds unique to me, and if you pay close attention to their songs, there isn’t any other band like this one on the scene. 3,482 Miles comes out on September 9th via Engineer Records, Sell The Heart Records, and Shield Recordings. Do yourself a favor and pre-order their vinyl record, or compact disc, or at least pre-save the EP on your favorite streaming platform."

-Djordje Miladinović

PunkNews: https://www.punknews.org/article/76961/check-out-the-new-video-by-the-atlantic-union-project

Today, we are psyched to debut the new video by The Atlantic Union Project! "Trustworthy" is a rough and ragged, blown out, bashed up… love tune! The band charges forward with some pumping melodic punk and then drops some sweet words over the top. The track is earnest, cathartic, and sometimes a little mean sounding.

Speaking to Punknews, the band's Simon Goodrick said: "The lyrical theme of this tune is a pretty obvious one from a head of not always obvious thoughts. It’s our punk rock love song on the EP. A shout-a-long that yearns for commitment, honesty, being real and forthright. It’s the 'as long as we don’t push one another over the edge, we’ve got one another’s backs' statement on the EP.”

-John Gentile

Rebel Noise: https://www.rebelnoise.com/articles/video-premiere-the-actuary-by-the-atlantic-union-project

New melodic hardcore/post-punk outfit The Atlantic Union Project of veteran musicians launch a dynamic and socio-politically relevant anthem and music video...

Rebel Noise is super-stoked to host the music video for the dynamic and tuneful single “The Actuary.”

This vibrantly enthusiastic track is being self-released because TAUP wanted to get it out there, but they’re in the process of securing a record label deal to distribute the whole EP.

“The Actuary” is a pumped-up number that charges full-steam ahead with gritty guitar jags, a running bass line, and hard-smacked drum beat. The jagged guitars whirl around Cirinelli’s emphatically shouted out vocals as he decries the economic disparity and other ills that plague our society.

The statement music video mirrors the powerful lyrics with equally potent visuals that include footage of a black man holding up an ‘Equal Rights’ sign, homeless individuals, fiery protest in the streets, police in riot gear, overflowing landfills, and people in hospitals.

Midway through the song there’s a calmer break, a chance to catch the breath, and that’s reflected in the music video with visuals of swaying trees in a forest – the contrast of the untouched natural world versus the constructed-by-humans cities that are contaminated by greed and inequity.

-Jen Dan

punxhcilatedhttp://www.instagram.com/punxhcilated

I cannot overstate how cool this record is! This transatlantic hyper melodic emo punk band brings powerful riffs, cleverly assembled melodies and harmonies. Punk and emo pioneers, the sound at times it reminds me of Samiam and A Vulture Wake.

-Dennis Merklinghaus

vinylblaze: http://www.instagram.com/vinylblaze

A new release by a melodic hardcore band made up of members from Brighton, UK, and New Jersey, USA. Some older hardcore scene types may remember a band called Strength Alone, which put out a (very good) Turning Point-esque seven-inch back in the early 90s. Some of the Strength Alone guys are in this band, with vocals provided by Craig Cirinelli from the US. The music is great – soaring guitars, big chorus, melodic emo/hardcore – a touch of Sensefield, Shades Apart, Saves The Day, Promise Ring, Praise.

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Never Mind The Hype: http://nmth.nl/hardhitting-albumreviews-met-bloodclot-onhou-the-atlantic-union-project-en-doodseskader

Heavily influenced by Hot Water Music, Dag Nasty and The Promise Ring, a mixture is made of emo-worn punk rock from the 80s and the post-punk sounds of the following decade. In the end, it's just six songs of nice up-tempo rock with a message. Underlying is also the wonderful DIY feeling that comes up. No less than three labels, Engineer (GB), Sell The Heart (USA) and Shield Recordings from our own Tilburg work closely together to bring this transatlantic collaboration to the whole of humanity. The band name is inspired by the fact that singer Craig Cirinelli is not in England where the others come from, but in the United States. The title is then exactly the distance, in miles, between the places of residence. It has a certain sadness to be so far away from your comrades-in-arms. That doesn't necessarily have to have influenced the sound, but you feel a deeper melancholy after a few spins, even though the band rocks pretty hard. I wonder how this organizational nightmare can be overcome, because this group must be able to provide fireworks live.

-Martijn Welzen

Never Mind The Hype: http://www.facebook.com/Nowthengadgie

First up a double dose of 90s nostalgia from Engineer Records with a CD and book combo! The little shiny disc contained within the breezeblock sized parcel was “3,482 mi.” which is the debut album/mini album/EP by THE ATLANTIC UNION PROJECT. Although I said “nostalgia” that may seem a little unfair as this a really brash and bright collection of six tunes that straight from the off reminded me of Diaz Brothers and all that HDQ, anthemic melodic Punk carry on that was as much in thrall to the likes of Leatherface and Snuff as they were to US HC acts of the 80s like Dag Nasty and Descendents. There’s maybe a hint of Seaweed in amongst the swerving and fluid rocking too. Finally, I also detect a hefty wedge of the sort of tune heavy, emotive stuff that, were you about in those utopian days known as the “UK Hardcore scene in the 90s,” you’d have come across at many, many gigs and all day capers. “Emotional Rock” or “Emo” before it meant eye liner and hair farming, that I reckon Jimmy of A Picture Postcard zine (split issue with Gadgie #3 for you long time readers!) would wet his oversize britches over. As a sidenote, it was also the sort of band that Lee and Craig of Urko would have hated and not let Jas back in the car because he'd bought their CD after a gig. The opening four songs are all brilliant tunes that, well, look at what I’ve just said and, yup, that’s what you are getting, The two closers much more epic 90s-mo that, if you were a fan of Rydell back then, you’ll be overcome with excitement and dig out your choker, baggy jeans, backpack and grab an orange juice carton and party like it’s 1997. Digging in to the band’s background, that USA/UK sound is explained by the title: Brighton is 3,482 miles away from Boonton in New Jersey. Why? Them’s the two places where the members of this collaboration live. The name of the band also now makes sense dunnit? So, what we have here is a powerfully, anthemic and yeah, emotive, melodic Punk album that although, nostalgic for an era long gone, sounds very fresh and invigorating today.

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Suspect Device Fanzine: http://suspectdevicehq.blogspot.com

I’ve been very slow on the upkeep with these guys, think it was released a little while back now, and I meant to check it out cause I know a few of them a little bit, but somehow didn’t get round to it till now, and more fool me cause this is an amazing EP (6 tracks)!!! Kind of a blast from the past of fastish melodic driving hardcore  reminding me of Sensefield (the vocals are quite similar too), Hot Water Music, maybe Seaweed, and others of that ilk. The name of the band came about because some of them live here in the UK and some over in the US and I assume that’s what the name of the ep refers too also? The lyrics are more personal I think, but very well written and poetic, sound is really powerful and full. The first track, "the actuary”, is immense!, and on first hearing it I thought "wow, the rest of the ep cannot live up to this!” but I was very wrong, all 6 tracks are truly excellent. The vinyl comes in a gatefold sleeve and lovely looking sea foam blue vinyl, ooh!

-Si

Aversion Online: https://www.aversionline.com/view/random-roundup-january-2023

Aptly-named, The Atlantic Union Project finds four musicians from the U.K. alongside a vocalist from New Jersey (who was once in a band called Elemae that I recently discovered through their split with Memorial). The U.K. contingent has been involved with a bunch of bands that I'm unfamiliar with—Come the Spring, Rydell, Strength Alone, to cite a mere few. From 3,482 Miles, expect an EP's worth of three-minute, post-hardcore-tinged alternative rock songs with an oomph of heaviness to the production. Memorable choruses, but nothing too polished. Not bad at all. I had never heard of this band until they followed me on Instagram, and I might've ordered a disc that same day!

I of course went with the pro CD-R in a simple, nice-looking digipak; but 3,482 Miles is also available as a gatefold 12" on sea glass blue vinyl through Engineer Records (CD/12"), Sell the Heart Records, and Shield Recordings. Stream on Spotify, if you must.

-Andrew

Download press sheet here
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