Word of a new project called George & The Lords is beginning to spread from Queens, New York. The band has released its debut EP on its own label, Hard Part Recs (with support from Tough Ain’t Enough and Try And Stop Me Records in Europe). The record features two songs and was released in a limited pressing of 250 copies. The lineup includes members of local New York punk and street punk bands Last Chordz, Factory Minds, and Beat Cop.

George & The Lords deliver a enjoyable and melodic brand of street punk that doesn’t rely on aggression or breakneck speed. Instead, the band opts for mid-tempo and slower-paced songs built around strong guitar work and distinctive vocals that occasionally evoke the feel of football terrace chants.

The lyrics are another interesting aspect of the release. Rather than focusing on familiar topics such as social problems, politics, or everyday frustrations, the band transports listeners into a world of peasant uprisings, noble intrigues, bloody battles, and service to the Crown. If the dark ages eventually gave birth to a world of reason, science, and modern ideals, George & The Lords look back on that era with a light sense of irony and a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek humor. This isn’t the only project exploring this theme lately; I’ve also come across T.E.M.P.L.A.R. from Ontario.

Both songs are well played and leave plenty of room for the listener’s imagination. If you have a bit of a nerdy side, this combination of street punk and medieval themes might awaken some long-forgotten corner of your imagination. If you’re primarily interested in the music itself, this is a promising foundation for what may come next. To me, the project feels like something that could appeal to street punk fans who appreciate the humor and wit of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy or Red Dwarf, only transplanted into a medieval setting.

This debut EP is also intended as a preview of an upcoming eight-song 10″ vinyl release. It sounds promising, so I’ve definitely got George & The Lords on my radar.