The sounds emanating from Christopher's basement studio pound through my head like a tribal war chant gone awry and pressed onto a scratchy old record. It’s possible that my tastes are no longer progressing, but I find this new sound to be atrocious. When the band trudges up from the basement, all looking heavily knackered, I’m certain they just suck.

Frustration is the likely culprit. They recently lost their affordable rehearsal space, which has left them a little cramped in the basement. They strive for self-sufficiency, but independence is difficult for any group when starting out. Dennis makes far more money as a barista than as a musician. Only Fred and Christopher, who often work together during their day jobs at Anthem Records, do well enough in that arena to support a family.