Photo by Ishan Ghoshal

When Star 99 dropped “Kill”, the lead single from the San Jose indie punk quartet’s upcoming sophomore effort, gaman, these pages said that they had the makings of being the next Joyce Manor. There was a big emotional display of humble punk-pop grit throughout the track that made the regional likeness glaring. The emos still apply on “Pushing Daisies”, but on the album’s latest preview, they cross the coastal, genre, and generational divide and showcase some Dinosaur Jr. influence in their fretwork just as well. It’s just that with those fingers, Star 99 are probably wishing they had chosen the name *69 instead. “If calling back is too hard / Then I won’t tell you,” sings co-vocalist and guitarist Thomas Calvo sings of a communication breakdown over a rip of fuzz-wheeling riffs and its tailing solo. The answer is right there if both parties want it, but neither side’s budging to pick up the phone. Still, it’s living all over him by the sounds of it.

Star 99’s gaman will be released March 7th on Lauren Records.