Merit Maker is the solo project of creative mind and Philly native Joe Stanton who typically focuses on vocals and bass. To round out this punk infused album, Joe recruited the help of guitarist and vocalist Joe Venango and drummer Alex DiPasquale. This trio delivers an energetic, catchy, uplifting, melodically memorable collection of 10 songs on the Judgement Calls album.

Finding his musical origins on piano in elementary school, Stanton soon picked up the guitar then transitioned to bass and vocals by the time he hit his twenties. Taking riffs, partial songs and melodic ideas Joe had created over the years but never put to use, the creation of Judgement Calls has technically been years in the making. Joe shares,

This project was started in 2017, but the songs have really been in the works almost a decade prior to. Many of the bass riffs I originally wrote in my late teens, early twenties and continually tweaked and reworked them until I got them to be what they are now.”

Prior to starting Merit Maker, Joe found himself playing in other bands but never fully satisfied with the experience. Finding his creativity restricted by constantly running into differences with others, the idea to launch to a solo project came naturally. Along with this move, Joe was “able to express myself musically in the most authentic fashion and to the fullest extent without having to compromise any of my vision“.

Embracing punk and all it’s various and nuanced sub-genres, Merit Maker delivers in-your-face, intense, thrashing tempos alongside rich, easily memorable melodies, catchy hooks and an uplifting boost in energy that is warmly embraced and much welcomed as we continue enduring the trials that came along with what we will just call 2020.

This album is a great and highly encouraged addition to your library; especially for fans of melodically infused punk rock with a power pop edge. Simply put, Merit Maker RAWKS!

Listen to Judgement Calls on Spotify, Apple Music or Soundcloud.