The Pervs
"Pieces of You"
Wood Shampoo Records, P.O. Box 27801 Las Vegas, NV 89126-1801
This is upbeat rock‘n’roll played with stinky fingers and leather jackets, plus a hint of bouncy-but-dark punk rock. You get four songs that hit more than miss. I like these guys. - BL
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The Radio Beats
“Blow You Up” 7"
Big Neck Records
Induced by Dwarves and Devil Dogs influences, this 7” whips by with unbridled speed and leaves you in a cloud of smoke. Great dirt-track punk’n’roll from West Virginia that has what it takes to get the bodies movin’ and the beers flyin‘. I love it. - BL
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Unclefucker
“Usurpers of the Tradition”
Band Site
I listen to Uncle Fucker and I wonder what the average old-time bluegrass fan would think. I mean, that’s a scene with close ties to gospel music and straight-n-narrow thinking. Last bluegrass festival I went to we had to sneak our beer around in coffee cups because the proprietors didn’t approve. Into this arena steps Uncle Fucker, a band that takes an evil bent to the old traditional tunes, complete with a metal/punk approach and sexy stage dancers. Fortunately, they go beyond sheer novelty, and instead have the musical chops to back it up. Some of the songs are sinister revisions of older hillbilly tunes such as “Rocky Top” or “Long Black Veil,” while many others are great originals stolen from the devil when he went down to Georgia. Whether they are lighting up the strings on a Bill Monroe tune, or diving headlong into a sinful, self-penned number, they incorporate more than distorted guitars and attitude. They also have fiddle, dobro, banjo, washboard and the good sense to retain the melodies that bluegrass is known for. On some songs, they forego the metal and punk all together, showing that they are fully capable of traveling along the classic roadways (most notably on “Abilene“). They also gain variety by switching singers, from male to female and back again. What results is a catchy “Grasscore” album that just might bridge more than a few generation gaps. - BL
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The Gecko Brothers
"Stop Bitchin', Start Drinkin'!"
Drunkabilly Records
This album is a celebration of alcohol, sweaty bars, and alcohol again. These guys are based in Holland and take a straight-up shot of loud rock’n’roll aggression, chase it with sip of Motorhead, then add a smack of Nashville Pussy and a down-south shit-kicking attitude to the tab. With guitars cranked to 10 and a drummer hitting like Sugar Ray Leonard, this greasy slab of plastic is a super-charged, liquor-fueled ode to thinking less and rocking more. Well done. - BL
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The Revolvers
"End of Apathy"
People Like You Records
These guys have a big rock sound with subtle punk rock undertones. The songs are melodic, happy, and catchy without being too sickeningly sweet. They have some pretty cool lyrics and song titles as on “Narrow-minded But Ain’t Got A Clue.” Hey, that covers 90% of the people in this sad world. A couple of these songs have female vocals (or at least androgynous), and overall the album’s pretty well-executed. I’m not in love with this, but we could be friendly casual acquaintances. Not bad. - BL
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The Monster Klub
“Inside”
Manfred Rude
The singer in this psychobilly three-piece from France also plays the guitars. In fact, he plays some incredible stuff… great hooks and impeccable song-writing. His tone is dirty but strong, and the style has Western and other subtle ethnic elements to it that I love. His singing is maybe a touch too throaty, but still pretty tuneful overall. He also has a very thick French accent that sometimes adds unintended humor. Nevertheless, this disc is musically remarkable. The opening cut has a reading from the Satanic Bible over top of it, while “Soul Eaters” is another masterful instro track included here. The final song is a dark ballad duet with a female singer, and again serves up some astounding song-writing, but the vocals unfortunately make it too easy to mock. The guitars are actually beautiful, though, and the melody is fantastic. I should also mention that the bass player uses an electric throughout the album, which fits nicely with the band’s sound, but might disappoint those with more stringent psychobilly expectations. In the end, however, I think this is a high caliber band worthy of notice and acclaim. - BL
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"This is Horrorpunk"
Various Artists
Fiend Force Records
According to the liner notes: “horror punk includes all kinds of horror-rock and punkabilly, but in the end it’s all fast, furious, dark and subversive”. That’s a pretty good general description of this disc, but I have to add there is a HUGE Misfits influence throughout this compilation. The Noctunes are an upbeat, fun band that donates their track “Werewolf” and after them comes Mad Sin and their tune “No More Trick Or Treat”. There are 22 songs overall on this disc and most of them are pretty decent. Other stand out cuts are “Be My Ghoul” by The Undead, “Creature from the Black Lagoon” by the Monsters, “Gimme Gimme Your Heart” by The Cryptkeeper Five, and “Gargoyles Over Copenhagen” by Nekromantix. Overall, this is a pretty good album. I would say pick this up for sure if you are really into horrorpunk and the Misfits because you’ll probably really like it. –Lisa
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The Breakup Society
“James at 35”
Get Hip Records
These guys have been compared to Elvis Costello, old Who, The Troggs and old Phil Spector records. The promo sheet calls this a “hook intensive blast of old school rock n roll with roots in vintage power pop”. While I agree with that to a large extent, there is something about this I do not like. Maybe because it’s over the top corniness seems faked somehow. The vintage oldies have a more sincere hokey appeal to them whereas this band sounds like they are trying to copy that. Some bands can carry that stuff off, but this isn’t doing it. Sorry! –Lisa
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Counterattack
"Step Aside"
Reality Clash Records
Counterattack plays some hard mid-tempo Oi that has a raw, churning confidence. Where most of the disc sticks to this style, “If I Do” is a lighter track that steps away from the throaty, forced vocals, which I am not too big a fan of, and also cleans up the guitars a bit. They also do a good cover of X on here. Throughout they’ve taken a lot of the usual topics that skinheads sing about and this time really elevated them with intelligent writing. This is a good release for fans of Battalion 86, The Seige, and that style of slower Oi, but for me, while it is respectable, it just ain’t getting me there for the most part. – BL
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The Minds
"Plastic Girls"
Dirt Nap Records
This disc feels so good it’s like sunshine on a nude beach where the seals are especially playful. [Awkward Pause] So yeah, these guys are friggin’ brilliant. It’s infectious punk rock that floods your system with its aural endorphins making you crave it like a pusher’s needle... like the lactating breast of a teenage mother... like the gelatinous jiggle of a monkey-brain soufflé. To add to the bliss, they have cheap keyboards chiming in throughout, giving a sort of New Wave feel. I know, that sounds like the Spits formula, but they actually don’t sound anything like the Spits and are good in a completely different way. They riddled this sucker with pop hooks and punk grit, energy and snarl. So much so it makes you want to “Smash Smash Smash!” - BL
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The Go Getters
“...Motormouth”
Goofin Records
These guys are way cool based on a wide variety of factors among them being that they have a group shot with Ronnie Dawson on the inside liner notes and dedicate the whole album to him. Second, they also have a picture of a cute, scruffy dog hanging out of a sweet hot rod and the caption says “Ruff R.I.P.” How sweet they put homage to Ruff in their CD as well! Third, the drummer is the lead singer, which is a rare occurrence. And finally, these guys have a lot of energy, creativity and play revved up rockabilly. They have a lot of kickin’ originals, but also throw in some interesting covers of “I Fought The Law”, “Black Magic Woman”, and “Lonesome Tears In My Eyes”. Good Stuff! -Lisa
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The Twin Haters
S/T
Failed Experiment Records
This is a lot like Helmet, but more melodic and not as good. They can sometimes rock pretty decent, but it just doesn’t get my manservant standing at attention. The cool thing is that 20% of the sales from this album goes to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for research. Gotta give ’em props for that. – BL
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The Groodies
S/T
Failed Experiment Records
Rock! This is solid punk rock by a group of girls on a non-profit label. They kick ass musically and are socially aware. This disc serves you 7 shots straight to the gut with tracks like “Count Your Dreams” and “Die Die Die”. Her vocals are a mix of Courtney Love/Brodie Armstrong (what’s her last name now?) with more attitude, and the music is raw and unrefined. Pick this one up! -Lisa
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The Rainy Day Saints
"Saturday's Haze"
Get Hip Records
This is a solo album by Dave Swanson (Guided By Voices, Cobra Verde, Death of Samantha) and he plays all the instruments. It’s a sort of power pop, you know… light, catchy pop with a big guitar sound. Vocals are soft and remind me of the Monkees. Some of the songs are pretty catchy. Not something I’ll listen to much, but I wouldn’t call you names if you did. – BL
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The Banner
“Your Murder Mixtape”
Blackout Records
Influenced by NY hardcore and death metal, the Banner aren’t winning me over. There’s some breakdowns and other modern hardcore affectations, and the vocals are screamed harshly like Hatebreed but not making it believable. It just sounds too strained. I am not really digging the guitar melodies either – kind of like you hear on the more droning and sullen NOFX songs, although some of them also have a hint of Iron Maiden. Occasionally they strike a chord with me, but most of the time it just sounds like someone doing a silly metal voice to somber music. - BL
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"Punch Drunk V"
Various Artists
TKO Records
You get 29 songs here cranking out some of the best in Punk Rock and Oi. Beer bottles and barroom bruises galore. Great tracks by The Stitches, the Boils, The Riffs, Wretched Ones, Smut Peddlers, The Butchers, NY Relix, The Krays, Strychnine, Tommy & The Terrors, Class Assassins, Terminus City, Limecell, The Crumbs, The Partisans, and more. I even really liked the live cut by Slaughter and the Dogs, despite not digging their last studio release. Plus I am gonna re-evaluate the Hollywood Hate CD because their song on here is amazing. Snatch this raging motherfucker up – BL
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Haymarket Riot
“Mog”
Thick Records
These guys play post punk that reportedly takes over where Big Black and Jesus Lizard left off. While it is definitely not your garden variety punk, and does possess progressive character, it just isn’t an intense listening experience for the most part. The vocal melodies don’t win me over in general either. That said, they are interesting and talented. It just isn’t ringing my bells, and my mind tends to wander. – BL
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Libido Grande
“Wrecked”
Failed Experiment Records
Hey, a portion of the proceeds from this disc goes to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. If you’re a fan of Rock N Roll Purgatory, though, chances are you won’t be much of a fan of this - in which case you ought to just give your full $10 bucks to their charity and completely bypass the band. Although decent musically, with a hard-yet-progressive vibe in several parts, they sadly enter into something I think is considered emo. You know, downbeat melodies plus the droning, first-day-of-autumn-and-hence-the-wilting-death-of-happiness vocals. As far as that style goes, though, these guys are peaches and cream. – BL
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The Heartbreak Engines
"Good Beers, Good Butts, Good Fellows"
People Like You Records
This band plays a street punk rock’n’roll with a rampaging upright bass, and they do it exceptionally well. Loud, brash, and rockin’ like a fat man trying to get out of bed. They work the melodies pretty well, keep the tempo from dragging with mostly upbeat numbers, and have a big guitar sound that keeps its pace with the bass, adding some nice riffs along the path. The title track is great sing-along, although there is something odd about drinks, butts, and fellows being mentioned so closely together. Not that there‘s anything wrong with that. – BL
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Bill Fadden & the Silvertone Flyers
"Satellite Rock"
Western Star Records
This is pretty solid classic rockabilly, with a honky tonk feel as well. There are some catchy tunes presented on this 17 track CD including “This Boy’s Moving On”, “House Rent Blues”, and “My Search”. The vocalist puts me in mind of Charlie Feathers a bit, especially during the more country sounding songs. The liner notes don’t credit the other musicians which is kind of annoying, but it’s still overall a very decent album. I just wish they would cut loose a little more and go wild occasionally. Fans of traditional music will like this for sure. -Lisa
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The X-Possibles
"Blood Everywhere"
Band Site
Singer Tibbie X has an amazing voice, and it’s one that I can’t come up with a good reference for. She can scream and rant with savage might, or deliver soft melody with a sandpaper and cigarette roughness. The songs go from a ripping, chaotic hardcore number to a great pop-punk song about wanting to be a corpse without disrupting the album’s continuity. They never lose their edge, and come off with a nihilistic humor coupled with an honest urgency. “Emptiness” has a dark, curled-lip, back alley, open-sore psychology to it, mounted with mean guitars. “Guilty” is a frantic paced fist-frenzy that quits in just under a minute, while “Night Kiss” has a sort demented seduction to its delivery. Other songs like “New Way,” “You Make Me Ill,” and “20 Lashes” are played with real aggression, and although there is something 80’s hardcore about them, they don’t peddle the usual paint-by-number anthems. I listened to this CD 4 times in a row in the car yesterday. That should say something. – BL
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The Last Vegas
"Lick'Em and Leave 'Em""
Get Hip Records
These guys have to be one of the top bands doing what they’re doing - this is sleazy 80’s hard rock with more than a wink of 70’s punk rock irreverence. A great dual guitar attack serves up worthwhile riffage and interplay that will please Guitar Center cock rockers, but also won’t bore the casual listener with overindulgence. Plus, the vocals are great, dripping with an Iggy attitude and a disaffected snottiness. What’s not to like? – BL
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999
"Concrete"
Captain Oi Records
Here we have a reissued album put on CD with lots of extra goodies! You get the 12 tracks that were on the original, plus 8 bonus songs. If you aren’t familiar with the 999’s, get yourself acquainted. They have been around since 1977 and play a British pop punk rock with lots of variation in the style. “Obsessed” actually is a weird mix of a western spaghetti and the Clash combined, very cool. They cover “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Indian Nation” adding their own unique flavor. Actually, I am reminded of the Clash quite a bit as I listen to this disc, but not exclusively. The bonus tracks include some live tracks like “Lie Lie Lie” and “I Ain’t Gonna Tell Ya” which are both great. Some songs have a more laid back feel like “Wait For Your Number” which has a slow, tropical rhythm and some amusing lyrics. This is good stuff. –Lisa
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Leatherface
"Dog Disco"
BYO Records
This English band has apparently been around for some time, and been largely influential to boot. I never heard of them until now. They can craft a decent melody, have a great drummer, and the music sounds to me like an easy-listening post punk. The vocals are low and subdued in the mix, and often delivered raspy with a unique sort of cadence. Something about it is really trance-inducing, like music for sleeping in the sunshine. Weird. It has its good points, but overall it leaves me colder than a wet blanket on a winter day. – BL
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Gamma Rays / High School Hellcats
"Split Personality" Split CD
Vile Beat Records
The Gamma Rays give their 5 songs first, and they aren’t too bad. Kind of a pop punk, but pretty decent with songs like “Do It Again“ and the sped-up “Sell Your Soul.” The guitar rhythm on “Creeping Out” seems lifted from “Beat On The Brat.” The High School Hellcats then take over the show with some harder edged, fast and furious punk rock‘n’roll. They remind me of the Loudmouths a bit, and they have a little hardcore influence too. Basically, I am gonna go ahead and say they kick ass. – Lisa
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The Casualties
“On the Front Line”
Side One Dummy
Coming off what I thought was their weakest album, the Casualties have come back with a tooth-crunching intensity. No doubt they are at their peak with the songs tighter than ever before, and with decidedly better musicianship all around, yet it’s definitely not become soft on the ears. Jorge’s vocals still have that razor-throated rasp, and the songs remain as aggressive as their early days, albeit with some welcome tempo changes throughout the disc. I occasionally hear people get on these guys for being sold in Hot Topics, but I am of the opinion that if some yuppie mall kids want to buy their shit for $20 a pop, that’s great. I remember seeing them several times years ago and they’d sell their albums for $6. Hey, they’ve been around for a long time and haven’t tried to adjust their sound to a pop audience, so I’m glad they’re getting good distribution now. I also hear people get down on them for their spikey-hair appearance, which is ironic because the same people like to espouse that punk isn’t about image. So why care what the fuck they look like? There seems to be a No-Fashion fashion going around in response to scene nazis and people more into looks than the music (same thing in the Rockabilly/Psychobilly genres), but that ain’t the case here. So to make a long story shorter, the Casualties have made a really damn good album here that sadly might be discounted by the high-and-mighty punker-than-thou crowd. Screw those people anyway. - BL
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The Cowslingers
"Cowslinger Deluxe"
Shake It Records
As it turns out, this may be the final Cowslingers release, according to an e-mail I got today from them concerning an imminent disbanding, but at least this is one hell of a parting shot. The Cowslingers are one of the long-running bands who have put Cleveland on the map by faithfully churning out their one-of-a-kind, grade-A cow-punkabilly for well over ten years. On this newest disc, they’ve branched out and included several guest musicians for about half the songs; seasoned ringers playing mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and even accordion. What results are some outstanding corn-shucking country tunes delivered with their signature wit, humor, and lyrical craft. Elsewhere, the other tracks stay true to the cranked-up Truckstop Americana that they’re known for, yet I think they’ve nailed it down better here than on previous releases. While most will gravitate towards the ingenious hillbilly cover of GG Allin’s “Drink, Fight, Fuck” I am tempted to say that original tunes like “I Got Time” and “Saltine” are close contenders for the most brilliant points on the album. To top it off, the packaging and artwork is beautifully striking in a 1930’s wholesome sort of way, helping to seal together the overall feel of cruising the open roads through America’s heartland. Best listened to where there are more farms and less Walmarts. - BL
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The Pulses
"Little Brothers" EP
Dirt Nap Records
This is a bit artsy, a bit psychedelic, kind of garage, kind of pop, and really not bad. I dig the eccentricity, and the fact that they never venture too far from the songs into iffy experimental territory. The singing doesn’t help or hinder them really, but they carry off good pop tunes for those whose brains roam in different pastures. They don’t rock out heavy, but it isn’t whimpering either. I give this disc a casual nod of approval, and will let it touch me if it wants to. – BL
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