Exit on The Left are the new kids on the block in the Belgian punkrock scene. Originating from the scene around Aarschot (Five Days off, Homer, Sixtoys, Break of Day, Second Base..), they immediately gained the attention of punkrockfans all over Belgium. Inspired by the likes of Blink 182, All Time Low, Descendents and melodic punkrock/poppunk in general, they unleashed their self produced demo ep in the fall of 2007 and started playing a lot of shows right after. In a short span of time, they conquered stages , including Rockfest, an opening spot on the Belgian leg of the Taste of Chaos Tour and some short tours with bands like Intohimo or 3 Storeys Highlots. Now it's time to present their debut full lenth, which brings the listener a superb set of poppunk/punkrock songs that will please fans of bands like the Get Up Kids, Blink 182, Senses Fail and the likes!”
From: Mass Movement Magazine
Exit On The Left – I Hope You’re Writing This Down CD
I do hope the reason this band is around is about the fun of playing happy melodic punk songs. If that’s the prime reason, they rule, as it’s catchy, well-written, and a great pleasure listening to. However, might they be about trying to give the Belgian punk rock scene a boost… then they are an instant miss. As good as their songs might be, there’s nothing original about them. It’s a copy of so many American punk rock and emo bands, it’s impossible to mention even a few influences. So it will all depend on what you’re looking for. Dive in if you like amazingly well-produced, catchy music to dance to or kiss your girlfriend to, but think twice if you’re looking for a new sound. Martijn Welzen
From:
DisAgreement
Webzine/Radio
EXIT ON THE LEFT 'i hope you're writing this down' CD
Exit On The Left are a young band from the Flemish part of Belgium that was founded in early 2007 and released a self-produced EP only a couple of months later. This caught the attention of Belgian punk label Funtime who decided to publish their debut longplayer I Hope You’re Writing This Down.
The newcomers offer nothing new, but present a pleasing mix of punk, pop and rock. They even concede that Blink 182 and Descendents are among their major influences, making it no surprise that their finished product sounds accordingly. You will only be confronted with familiar sounds, but Exit On The Left have such an uncomplicated approach that listening will be pure fun. The songs are played mostly at a fast pace, contain a sufficient number of strong riffs, and you can’t complain about a lack of melodic choruses. Some tracks come with acoustic parts which give them a mellower touch, working favourably on Damn Right and Make Dreams Come Through. Towards the end the album turns into a more melancholic mood with the two excellent pieces Manifest Destiny and No, Not Forever.
Exit On The Left’s debut is a solid effort that can convince on a technical level as well as with strong songwriting skills. I can imagine that they rock even harder in a live situation. However they have too little distance from established bands which might make it hard for them to catch their potential fans’ attention.
From:
'out of step' zine
Exit On The Left – I Hope you’re writing this down
CD 2009 Funtime Records
Two years after the release of their demo EP, Funtime Records releases Exit On The Left’s debut full length: I Hope you’re writing this down. Knowing that Jonas from Sixtoys is the lead vocalist and the second guitarist I had an idea what to expect.
Exit on the left in its current line-up is still a young band from the Aarschot area. An area that has build up quit a punk rock scene over the last years. Lots of good bands are coming from this part of Belgium: Homer, Break of Day and Second Base to name a few.
What Exit On The Left has to offer on ‘I Hope you’re writing this down’ is melodic, sing-a-long pop punk, influenced by bands as Sixtoys, Old Fashion Heroes and Blink 182 (I hear some Blink influences in the track: Make Dreams Come True). If you like pop punk than you can buy this CD without hesitation, if you like it more straight forward than I would advice you to check it out first before buying to avoid disappointment.
I Hope you’re writing this down certainly is a good pop punk album that fits nicely in the new wave of pop punk bands we have nowadays. 7.5/10