When asked to describe themselves, the members of 3 Dollars instantly share “scrappy, youthful and hungry.” Though still young themselves, most of the members began playing music before the age of 10, with Ben, the youngest, starting drums at 4 years old. The Hoboken, New Jersey based band started in high school writing melancholic emo-punk tracks and playing any show they were offered, from the infamous underground Meatlocker to community fairs. Releasing five singles since forming in 2022, they did things the tried and true way of building a local following, before tracks like “The Last Thing I Remember” and “Like I Said I Would (Dylan’s Song)” started to gain national notice.
Today, 3 Dollars announces their signing with Smartpunk Records (Gully Boys, Keep Flying), who will release their debut EP, Plus Tax, on July 10th. To kick things off, the band share the new single and video “Suppressed Memories.” Urgency and emotion shines through the sharp, melodic track, pulling Influence from acts like Title Fight, The Replacements, and Anxious. The band has landed a balance of adolescent thought and nostalgic feel that most could only strive for at such a young age. The video for the song matches the raw energy of 3 Dollars as it captures the band in a gritty performance space and rooftop, and was directed and produced by their friend Rio Rosario.
You can watch the video for “Suppressed Memories” HERE and stream the track HERE.
On the track, vocalist Arthur Pawley shares:
“This song is about being in limbo, looking for that inspiration to make sure you are doing the right thing and staying in the right direction, not getting stuck in your past mistakes.”
3 Dollars recently opened shows for Quicksand, 7 Seconds and even found a fan in Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba, who shares; “They already have an identifiable point of view and approach to the arrangements and sonics feel earned in a way it takes most bands a lot longer to find.”
Fans new and old will be able to catch 3 Dollars at upcoming shows on the east coast in June and July, full dates below.
Plus Tax was recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered by Connor Priest at Timber Studios (Alex G, Tonks). The EP is available for preorder now through Smartpunk Records.
3 Dollars is Arthur Pawley – Vocals / Guitar, Tyler Wachtel – Guitar, Ben Kamel – Drums, and Costas Krassos – Bass.
