Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

The Rocky Valentines

The Rocky Valentines
The Rocky Valentines EP

Artist Info: Discography
Street Date: September 2, 2022
Style: Shoegaze / Alternative
Bandcamp: TheRockyValentines.Bandcamp.com
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: Amazon Music
Buy It: Bandcamp



Boy, the Martin family sure is talented. Brothers Ronnie and Jason have been releasing music together and independently for close to 40 years now, almost as if it's just coded in their DNA. This theory is further supported by Jason's son, Charlie Martin. After spending some time on the drums for Starflyer 59, Charlie took it upon himself to start writing his own music, which he's recently released to the world courtesy of Velvet Blue Music.

Performing under the name The Rocky Valentines, Charlie has clearly spent time under the learning tree of his father, with shoegazy alternative music that sounds like several different eras of Starflyer. Interestingly enough, he almost sounds more like Ronnie, vocally, with a much higher pitch in his carefree voice. The upbeat "Off and On" leads the pack, with a driving rhythm and a catchy chorus that begs to be put on repeat. "Driving Blind" follows suit, but also features an irresistible punk-inspired sound, with steady riffs and a faster pace. But it's the slower, more introspective "Shooting With One Eye" that really captures the heart and soul of the project. Again, taking some cues from more recent Starflyer material, Charlie's pensive lyricism begins to reflect on the past, when things were easier, more fun, and more innocent. Lines like "Sixth grade, staying up too late / downing green Gatorade / always eating too much food / this was my youth" are simple, but effectively take me back to my younger days gulping Surge and schooling friends in Goldeneye and San Francisco Rush. As a sucker for nostalgia, I'm easily entrapped by this song.

Charlie mentions in closing track "Microphone" that he never really expected music to become something of his own, despite growing up surrounded by it. But The Rocky Valentines is evidence that not only is it a reality now, but he's also good at it. The vocals may not be everyone's cup of tea, and the lyricism is indicative of a fledgling songwriter. But based on this first, short entry in his discography, I have high hopes for future releases. If you've got 13 minutes, give it a listen, and maybe consider grabbing a CD or cassette.

- Review date: 9/25/22, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!






JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: Velvet Blue Music
. Album length: 4 tracks: 13 minutes, 28 seconds
. Street Date: September 2, 2022
. Download It: iTunes
. Download It: Amazon Music
. Buy It (CD/Cassette): Bandcamp
. Buy It (CD/Cassette): Velvet Blue Music

  1. Off and On (3:45)
  2. Shooting With One Eye (3:39)
  3. Driving Blind (3:10)
  4. Microphone (2:53)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, October 22, 2025
SINGLES
Phil Wickham Fear Has No Power - Single [Fair Trade]

This Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan Resurrection Power - EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure (2025 Remaster) [Resuscitation]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Hulvey HE WILL RETURN - EP [Reach]
Latter Day Exploits Within Consumed (Expanded Edition) [Charon Collective]
VaShawn Mitchell SOUNDCHECK [Fair Trade]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
The Band JAREN Poetic - Single [Hit and Run]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Brandon Lake, Jon Batiste, & Jelly Roll Hard Fought Hallelujah - Single [Provident]
Jonathan Cain No One Else - Single [The Fuel]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
EJ Swavv & Jericko Love Like This - Single [Syntax]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
goodwill. REST - Single [Syntax]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mat Kearney Good Old Days - Single (independent)
Kelo Car Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Vic Lucas I Need You (ft. IsaiahLaRoi) - Single [Syntax]
Jamie Macdonald You Can't Take My Song - Single [Capitol CMG]
Myles Maestro I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever - Single [Syntax]
Martin Smith, Josh Baldwin I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever - Single [The Fuel]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea Breakthrough - Single [DREAM]
Razzie & Glenn Ray Second Chances - Single [Syntax]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
tonyxtrotter, Yung Drew, Wayne Klassik HOLY HOLY HOLY - Single [Syntax]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)
Unseen Faith Cold Resolve - Single [Rottweiler Records]
Kim Zamolo Your Ways Are Higher - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]

Next Wednesday, October 29, 2025
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]

Next Friday, October 31, 2025
ALBUMS
Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
SEU Worship What A God [Live at JOGS] (feat. Abbie Gamboa) - EP [Provident]
Testimony of Apocalypse Agony in the Garden [Roxx Records]

SINGLES
Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
Polished Arrow Music LOTW - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Poor Old Lu The Hurting - Single (independent)
Still Remains The Wound and the Weapon - Single (independent)
Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images