What do you get when you cross Green-Day, Jimmy Eat World and Sum 41? Pivot! Okay, so maybe these guys don’t run around pulling pranks and taping them, but add a bit of maturity to their somewhat aggressive, grinding, pop-punk rock and you have South Florida’s own Pivot.
Hailing from Hollywood, FL, Pivot, has had more than their fair share of trials and tribulations. The band was formed in 1998 and quickly released its debut CD, Rock, Scissors, Papercuts on Canes Records, a University of Miami label. They enjoyed moderate success with this release, including airplay and live shows.
Over the next two years, however, Pivot did not fair too well. The band managed to lose a bassist to the great local band Dashboard Confessional, another bassist to relocation, and a guitarist to a career in graphic arts. Forced to regroup and reorganize, the remaining band-mates recruited two new members and released their next disc, When the Debris Meets the Sea.
The album starts out with the powerful guitars of Rob Helmsorig and Mike Ryan in the song “Precious Words” and quickly lets you know that good old fashion punk rock is here to stay. The pulsing velocity carries out strongly until the end of the song with the help of some typical punk bass and drums from Fabian Freire and Jordan Keith. The group’s strong feeling of gritty pop-punk is conveyed throughout the entire album and is most present in faster, harder songs like “Nerve” and “Full Circle.” But not too fear, Pivot also slows it down in true punk style, with picked guitar chords and soft mellow singing. Altogether, Pivot’s second album isn’t too bad, and with their Billie Joe Armstrong-ish vocals, Sum 41-esque guitar and Jimmy Eat World-like melodies, they’ll definitely make an impression on crowds during their East Coast Tour with fellow Floridians The Remedy Session in January 2003.
For more information, visit Pivot on the web at www.pivotrocks.com and remember, support your local bands!
Rob Helmsorig • Oct 25, 2024 at 12:22 pm
I never saw this review. But we do appreciate the kinds words. Cheers!