The Sidekicks have justifiably been praised by fans and critics alike for writing some of the best pop punk songs to come out of the Midwest in the past decade. But while the band was winning over city after city of supporters, guitarist Matt Scheuermann was quietly working on his much more reserved side project American War. The result is a collection of strikingly beautiful records, the latest being the Cages/Sometimes 7”.
This two song effort is only a letdown in its length. Both songs are Scheuermann singing over an acoustic guitar and manage to somehow come off as both heartbreaking and hopeful.
The real heartbreak however, is a post on Schuermann’s blog last month stating: “I’ve decided to no longer pursue music as American War. A lot has changed in my life the past year and a half and I feel that my personal musical endeavor should as well. I will surely continue to make music. And I’m excited to do so. But the time for American War has come to an end.”
He’ll play his final show as American War at The FEST this fall. I’ve never been so bummed for a war to be over.
American War – Cages/Sometimes 7”/Quote Unquote and Really Records/2013
