In Rachel Lightner, Nervous Dater boast one of the finest emerging lyricists in indie rock, one whose every neurotic couplet could be a self-contained story. Consider the chorus from “Bad Spanish,” the anthemic opener from debut album Don’t Be A Stranger: “It’s hard to ask for help if you don’t really want it/ Passed out on the train in your own vomit.” Or the many layers in this line on “Fun Dumpster,” the subsequent track: “I wore a dress for you/ ‘Cause you’re nicer when I do.” Or the breathlessly vulgar “Stockton Syndrome” climax: “Jackie’s got the drugs, and holy fuck he’s gonna take ‘em!” Lightner deploys these turns of phrase with a wide-eyed gusto that amplifies Nervous Dater’s prevailing feeling of barreling ahead while barely keeping it together, elevating their tremendous guitar-powered songwriting to ridiculous heights. Take the album title’s advice and get to know this band now.
Nervous Dater is
Rachel Lightner, Kevin Cunningham, Andrew Goetz, & Yon Heenan
Additional Vocals – Megan Gouda & Kelly McGovern
Trumpet & Flugelhorn – Brad Lightner
The Fat Angel Sings 