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7 Shot Screamers “Keep The Flame Alive” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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These carbon-based rockers crawled from the primordial ooze with one goal in mind: to be better than your current favorite band. Will they succeed, or is their evolutionary swagger doomed to failure? Actually, chances are quite good that they will occupy your CD player as if it were a Third World country, using their one-of-a-kind blend of rockabilly with subtle undertones of punk and 70’s glam. It is refreshing to hear a band with an original sound that not only draws heavily from neo-rockabilly influences (Sharks, Batmobile) but also loves the Rolling Stones, Johnny Thunders, T-Rex, and so on. This CD was produced by Levi Dexter of the Rockats, and the songs are all originals except for a cover of “Born To Lose.” They also don’t put out shoddy lyrics about being real gone daddy-o’s. Instead the songs are driven by the good-humored fatalism that should emanate from all sentient life forms with functional reasoning faculties, but which is especially strong in those whose only redemption comes from the music they love. Just like real life, sometimes you are top of the world, other times it buries you, and the songs here reflect that range... all the while rockin’ like hell. If you too are waiting for the rock’n’roll messiah, the 7 Shot Screamers will take you to that promised land. - BL
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The Lunatics "Tour Du Monde" Goofin Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This is the third album from this Finnish instrumental rock group. Their sound has plenty of surf influence, but they also have some with more of an exotic flavor, some that are slower atmospheric pieces, some that are rock out, and several of them have funk and ska rhythms. “Ripe Oat” has a western/country feel to it, “Cramps” features saxophone, and they cover Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” Their guitars have a clean sound in most parts, and are played exceptionally well. The production is clean too, so if you are looking for some lo-fi, fuzzed-out surf rock, this isn’t it. But it is quite good. - BL
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| The Jet Set "We've Got the Dance Connection" Uptight Records, We Rock Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
So you wanna hear some soulful, dirty, mashed-up, rhythm bound, bluesy, psychedelic, garage dance music? This is it, buddy, and it is good. All the bands that they have been compared to are ones that I am not very familiar with aside from the Velvet Underground (Gossip, The Chesterfield Kings, and the Caesars), so I’ll just say that it isn’t that boring straight 60’s pop type garage, nor is it pulling Sonics levers or pressing Rolling Stones buttons. Instead, they use an organ sparingly and perfectly, a prominent snare drum, and righteous guitar licks to create something raw, different, and fun to listen to. It is so damn infectious you’ll feel your nervous system jerk rhythmically if exposed to these sonic pollens. Squares don your HAZMAT suits. - BL
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| The Arsons "Bridges Down" Mad At The World Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is competent and musically interesting in many places, but the songs invariably lose any punch that they started out with when the guitars start to drone or chug, and the vocals really let me down with their Warped Tour cadences. It sounds like a ton of pop-punk type bands, albeit more artsy. They seem to attach themselves to the melodic hardcore scene, which to me is an oxymoron. I couldn’t listen to all of it. I can tell it is good for what it is, but that doesn’t mean that it is good. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gun Crazy "Dropping Like Flies" Morteville Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This CD reeks with the familiar B.O. of a 7-day bender. Playing primal, atavistic punk rock’n’roll, Gun Crazy from Texas sing stories from the other side of city life as experienced by the chemically imbalanced. They count the Dictators, Saints, Radio Birdman, New York Dolls, etc. among their influences as they churn, stomp and stagger through a keeper of a CD. - BL
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| Detonations "Static Vision" Alive Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Featuring members of The Drags and Sex Hunter, the Detonations create a disturbing array of psychotic convolutions that surge with an electrostatic pulse that’ll make you get naked and tongue kiss a toaster. Impure music for people who prefer their garage music to be raw and bleeding on the floor. Delivers a devastating stilleto between the fourth and fifth vertebrae, taking your wind away. I’ve listened to this several dozen times already. Great. Simply great. – BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deke Dickerson "My Name Is Deke" Hightone Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The songs on this are a collection of material culled from his three Hightone Records releases, plus a live version of Mule Skinner Blues recorded in Finland in 2001. I’d say this is primarily meant as an introduction for new Deke Geeks, since old Deke Geeks probably already have all these albums. I would have liked a retrospective to have included some non-Hightone stuff from Untamed Youth and the Dave & Deke Combo as well some of the “3-Dimensions” material, but I’ll take what I can get. Here you get some obscure covers (obviously Deked-out) and plenty of notable originals that topically range from the simple joys of eating chicken and red headed women, to suicidal heartbreak and existential despair. Musically, there is 50’s rock’n’roll, rockabilly, country, hillbilly boogie, doo-wop, and a fantastic Joe Maphis instrumental. While this CD might not capture the full width and breadth of Deke’s musical undertakings, it certainly showcases a notable segment of them. – BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Ukranians "Istoriya: The Best of...” Omnium Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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With over 70 minutes of music starting off with a nice cover of The Tornados 1962 instrumental “Telstar,” this CD keeps you interested despite being sung entirely in the Ukrainian language. This British band formed sometime in the late 80’s and early 90’s, and have apparently done to Ukrainian folk music what The Pogues did to Irish folk, although not quite as boisterously. Here you get the most unusual cover of “Anarchy In The U.K.” you are likely to ever hear, and they also cover Lou Reed and The Smiths. Lots of mandolin and accordion keep this disc upbeat for the most part, despite some slower cuts. The vocals sometimes remind me of an 80’s pop band for some reason, and some of the harmonies make me think of monks singing. I have nothing like this in my collection, and am glad to add it... a nice release that’ll make you feel more worldly. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys “Rockin’ Big Sandy” Hightone Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Here Big Sandy offers up some of his best jumpin’ western swing numbers, featuring his inimitable crooning at the helm. The songs were selected to show Big Sandy “in rockin’ mode,” so don’t expect anything dark, deep, or heavy... just some lively fun. There are ringin’ guitars a-twangin’ and clangin’, steel guitars a-slidin’ and glidin’, and even the occasional sax a-railin’ and wailin’ or piano a-tinkin’ and clinkin’. But don’t get too sucked in by the seeming innocence and bounce of the songs, for the “Red Foxx” version of “Back Door Dan” has some shockingly filthy words crossing though his velvety voice box, sharply contrasting the over-represented lyrical hokey-ness. Overall though, this a disc of bright, cheery songs that exude enough charm and talent to forgive the one-dimensionality. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Red Shift “I Don’t Wanna Get Gassed” EP Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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These Chesterfield, Michigan, miscreants play some catchy Ramones-influenced punk rock with latent rockabilly leanings creeping in at the edges of songs like “Bang & Go.” Actually some of it sounds a little like the non-Irish songs of DKM when Mike McColgan sang with them, some have just a hint of early era Clash, & some sound like melodic street punk that doesn’t suck. I like it; you should check it out. They say they aren’t commies, but I wouldn’t hold that against them. Ha! Maybe their name comes from Einstein’s discovery that gravity slows the passage of time & stretches light waves toward the red end of the spectrum (i.e. gravitational redshift). It could then refer, by metaphorical extension, to the gravitational pull of red light districts & certain pleasures of the flesh offered therein. Oh yeah. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PEN15 “Lettuce, Turnip, and Pea” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hey, these guys are from Zanesville, Ohio. I went there once to chase down a whore of a girlfriend who ran away with the carnival. Small world. I am actually really digging most of this. It has a definite early 90’s garage band sound, kind of like a missing link between “alternative” and punk. Great songs like “Statistic,” “Shallow,” “Bar Bend Blues,” and “G.O.D.” come down on you like falling rocks, but songs like “Panacea” and “Lament” are more like kidney stones. Still, there is definitely way more good songs than not-so-good ones... enough to suggest living in Zanesville might not be that bad. Trim some of the gristle from this, and you’d have a prime cut of Grade A meat. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Vivisectors “Case History of John Doe” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Lo-Fi Russian surf never sounded so good, and you get treated to a huge helping with this 26-track disc. A perfect blend of organ and guitar bring the sweet sounds of the Vivisectors. They do a cover of “The House of the Rising Sun” and all the rest are originals. I think I sprained a muscle in my midsection because I was just dancing so damn much! Some are more traditional surf sounding, some are spy-fi, some are hillbilly, some are spaghetti western, and they are all supreme. If you like surf music and do not seek out this disc, you’ll regret it. Maybe not now, but soon, and for the rest of your life. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Spits third S/T CD Dirtnap Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The third full-length from the west coast’s beloved idiot savants, the Spits, begins with a long, satanic sound-byte intro that eventually leads into “Witch Hunt,” a song exemplifying all that people have come to love about the Spits: catchy, sludgy, sloppy, Ramonesy, fun, eccentric, and simple songs where you’ll meet the beat and beat your meat. While not as quite good as their previous two albums, I still like it a lot. To me they seem more punk rock than 90% of the bands that lay claim to that genre because of their disaffected weirdness and nihilistic grinding party anthem-making. Makes you wanna go get drunk and bloody, but in a happy way. – BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Girls Self-Titled Dirtnap Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This is a great album. The first time I listened to it I liked it enough to put it on again. Then again and again and again, until I realized that I was hooked. I can’t get these songs out of my head, and to be fair, I don’t really try. I like them there. Imagine if the Cars were more of a snotty punk band, or if the Briefs nurtured their new wave leanings a lot more. My only wish is that they would have included the song lyrics. They have me singing along about strange things: truck-stop cops and monkeys that hate cleanliness, but then maybe those are the correct lyrics. With a band of men called the Girls singing a song called “Dope Disguised As Nuns,” you never know. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Smut Peddlers “Coming Out” TKO Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Smut Peddlers strip away that cheery West Coast veneer to expose its seedy and desperate underside with a primal style as dirty as the back room of a porn store. The songs on here all firsthand tales about scoring drugs, getting arrested, junkie girls blowing narcs, renegade bikers shot down by the cops, Hepatitis C, and so on. All written with a clever turn of phrase and delivered with the kind of mid-tempo crunch that’ll bust your spine. Just when I thought punk rock had become completely suburbanized, the Smut Peddlers injected it with a little inner-city filth. You can almost smell the spiritual pollution. - BL
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The Tremors "The Scourge of the South Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First off, what a cool cover on this sucker... it looks like an old comic book cover with mutated band members menacing a teenage couple in a convertible as flying saucers whizz by overhead. There’s more to this than just packaging, though. This is lively rockabilly with manic oak barrel guitars janglin’ and vocals that give the impression of a demented hillbilly weaned on Sun Records and getting drunk with the Cramps. It brings to mind backseat sex at a drive-in movie theater, pig roasts, beer bashes in abandoned houses, passing whiskey bottles around the campfire, and perverted aliens with powerful telescopic lenses aimed at our bedroom windows. Cool stuff. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Wages of Sin “Drink and the Devil” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fronted by Jesse of the Spectres, this band combines bluegrass with Irish folk a la the Pogues, and they do it startlingly well. I think I actually like them even better than the Spectres, who are damned fine band in their own right. Acoustic guitars and fiddles keep it rustic and immediate, and they show aptitude at both boisterous barroom rousers as well as darker, more haunting songs filled with mortal trepidation. All that from a 4-song demo. I can’t wait to hear more of these guys. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nekromantix “Dead Girls Don't Cry” Hell Cat Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I have always been way more of a fan the Nekromantix in a live setting than on CD - for the most part anyway. In concert they have just been friggin’ explosive every time I’ve seen them. That in mind, this CD isn’t actually bad. It kicks off with break-neck speed on the opening “Backstage Pass to Hell,” a song that hits as hard as anything off of “Curse of the Coffin.” It is followed by “Moonchaser,” a mid-tempo number with catchy guitars and the distinct vocal melodies that the Nekromantix are known for. Really, most of the songs on here are pretty memorable, even over-the-top silly ones like “Where do Monsters Go.” The more I listen to this, the more I like it. Plenty of good tunes here that remain true to what they’ve always been about. - BL
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Jeffie Genetic & His Clones "Need A Wave" Dirt Nap Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The first time I listened to this I didn’t get into it at all. It just needs a little more kick to it. Upon further listens, however, I am enjoying it a little more. It is a sort of an early 80’s punky pop/new wave deal. They (well, he) kind of remind me of the Flys a bit. The album is fun, bouncy, and catchy, but not in a way that makes you feel guilty afterwards. When you are in the mood, this will get you there. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Stage Bottles “We Need A New Flag” Knock Out Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This adamantly antifascist German Oi! punk band began in 1993, and they write some lyrics I can relate to. For instance, I too feel surrounded by the twisted malignancy of “Millions of Stupid People” who think they know what is good and right for everyone else. “Real Skinhead” is also great: “Oi! you stupid bastards just wake up and think about where your culture comes from... it’s not just about having fights, dancing, and drinking, dressing up and owning many records.” They also sing about “PC Idiots” that try to suppress different points of view, and they lament the way sports teams have lost any connection to the communities that they purport to represent. The music is a good solid blue-collar punk rock with saxophone on most songs. It’s not super-aggro oi-core, instead opting for more melody without being wimpy. Pretty cool. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bonecrusher “Tomorrow Is Too Late” Knock Out Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
My favorite Bonecrusher release was probably the collection of their early singles, but this new stuff isn’t too bad. They have a different singer form those days, but the focus and overall sound of the band remains intact for the most part. It is tough a nails mid-tempo Oi! with positive lyrics. I think there needs to be a little more tempo variation, though, maybe some faster songs and stronger hooks, because this really isn’t jumping out at me enough to see it all the way through. Good and respectable, but when it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Billy & The Bullets Self-Titled Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This band is a rockabilly spin-off of Cleveland blues group, Blue Taxi. All these tracks were recorded live in the studio and you get a good amount of flashy fretwork from guitarist Billy Capuano. In fact, I think that is the band’s strongest asset, as he is really damn good. The vocals aren’t bad, but they are pretty laid back. I think the rhythms can be brought out a little more too - let the song carry itself rather than just the frills and fills. Really, this just needs some edge to it. That said, this CD is enjoyable, and as you might guess, pretty country-bluesy. The instrumentals in particular are great fun. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ben Edwards Trio S/T EP ben@benedwardstrio.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This Philadelphia jazz trio features all-around fantastic musicianship and a cool idea. Of the 5 songs on here, 4 are Misfits, and one is Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades,” and all are done in a sort of beatnik jazz style. It’s like a blending of antitheses: low-brow meets high-brow. The saxophonist in particular is talented, but like I said, the drummer and bassist don’t slouch either. My only problem with the disc is that the vocals are too over-the-top cheesy, as if he’s trying to sing too low for his voice, like drunk Elvis or something. Without that, I’d play this at all my parties. REV. NØRB-STYLE FANTASTIC AMAZING TRIVIA FACT: Ben Edwards used to play bass in the Lords of the Highway and drums in the Balboas. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Warped Tour 2004 Compilation” Various Artists Side One Dummy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Personally I think this tour has gone horribly wrong over the past 5 years or so. If you like the majority of the bands that are playing this year by all means pick this disc up. If you are like me and you only like a few of the bands, you’d be better off buying the individual bands’ music. The few bands I did like are Flogging Molly, Throw Rag, the Casualties and NOFX also had a pretty good song on there. But mostly this is a 2-disc set of crappy, lame power pop punk like New Found Glory and Good Charlotte. –Lisa
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Dulcie Younger & The Silencers “Kitty, Kitty... GROWL!” Golly Gee Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dulcie Younger may be a new name, but her supporting musicians are not. Deke Dickerson handles the guitars in the manner for which he is widely known and admired, while Zack Shedd is the incredible upright bassist formerly of Satan’s Teardrops. The style here is straight rockabilly with more purr than growl in the vocals. It is a good listen, but I can’t help wanting her to come alive a little more. Still, it is enjoyable. It just gets a little stale before you are done. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Fast Mattress Self-Titled Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Any band that has a song called “Daddy has a Mullet” instantly earns points with me. Well, this band earns points with me for other reasons as well, let me list them for you. 1) Cleveland Represent! 2) All 13 original tracks 3) sweet ass garage/keyboard infused/new wavish songs that are funny and performed well. I feel compelled to say there are two beauties in the band on vocals and keyboard. I feel compelled because there aren’t enough women in music, and so when I see some girls kicking it I have to acknowledge. Good stuff. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Rockabilly Rumble Deuce” Various Artists Golly Gee Records, Raucous Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sometimes I wish I had influence over large numbers of people, like how televangelists do. Those guys get people to give up all their money and do whatever they say...pure evil. If I had that power, however, I would use it for the good of the world. My first order of business would be that everyone in the land would buy all sorts of Golly Gee and Raucous products for themselves, their families, and also for donations to the less fortunate. As for this CD it’s jammed packed with 26 songs from amazing artists who you will want to instantly support and maybe even send them money and fruit baskets. Some of my most favorite artists on here are Rockin’ Ryan and the Real Goners, 69 Beavershot (fans of Brian Setzer, don’t miss this), Pete Hodgson & the Fireballs (think of the Killer!), and Rip Carson. Some other top bands are Ralph Rebel, Honeydippers, Peter & the Wolves, Drugstore Cowboys, Rory Justice and the Blue J’s. I command you, brothers and sisters; salvation is only a CD away. How much is your eternal soul worth? –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Avoid One Thing “Chopstick Bridge” Side One Dummy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fronted by Joe Gittleman, the bassist of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and featuring the Amy Griffin of The Raging Teens, this band is a tough one to review. I’d say it is most closely aligned with the pop punk and indie rock genres. It is nothing like what I expected the nimble-fingered guitarist of the Raging Teens to be playing. Being more subdued and emotive than most pop punk, it is also less annoying for the most part. Sometimes Gittleman has a Ness-like raspiness, other times he sings softer, and Amy also lends vocals on a couple tracks. While they do have a few catchy hooks and some darker lyrics, overall it just comes off too sugar-coated. While I do like melody, I don’t really like most of these melodies. Layed on way too thick. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Shite’N’Onions Vol. 1” Various Artists Shite'N'Onions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Here we have a compilation disc full of Irish-punk-folk infused rock. You get 22 tracks from all sorts of bands like the Mahones, Neck, the Electrics, Blood or Whiskey, Bates Motel, the Tossers, the Devil’s Advocates, the Spunk Lads, the Steam Pig and Croppies. While some tracks are clearly more punk influenced (Nogoodnix, Big Black Cadillac), there are plenty of old timey tunes more reminiscent of the Pogues (the Skels, Greenland Whalefishers). Not every tune on here make me want to hop up and do a jig , but there are far more that do, and that makes this comp okay by me . –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Astroglides “Channel Surfing with...” Fast Music | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Here you get very surf-influenced instrumental music by a band from Tel Aviv (Israel) who have managed to carve out a niche for themselves in a genre that is prone to redundancy. While you can find flute, xylophone, theremin, bongos and brass on here, don’t go thinking they don’t know how to bring it hard and heavy when needed, throwing a good deal of metal into the bargain. This 19-song disc evokes a wide array of moods and imagery while delivering unique and exciting soundscapes that run the gambit from spy- to sci-fi, nautica to exotica. Crucial listening. - BL - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Hawaiian Astro Boys Self-Titled Lappersfort 12, 9060 Zelzate, Belgium, hawaboys@hotmail.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And I thought Belgium had good chocolate! They also have this kick ass surf band. You get 6 original tunes and 4 covers on this disc totaling to a sum of 10, yes 10 great songs! Man, isn’t surf great? You just put it on and fade away into an oblivion of water, waves, bikinis, sand, surf, sex, hotdogs, flip-flops, perversity and mayhem. This album is the culmination of all those ingredients plus reverb soaked guitar. If you are a fan of traditional surf you will love this disc as I do. Especially “Robotica” even though I can’t really do the robot to it (my most favorite dance move ever), I can still twist my ass off to it, and the rest of the disc as well. Hooray! - Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Famous Teas Self-titled CD-R Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Having been out of commission for a decade, Famous Tea bring a different sound to the O.C. scene... more of sleazy drunk punk. Rocks pretty good in parts, but not making me all that excited. If it were a girl, I’d double bag it. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Truckin’ In the Free World” Various Artists Spine Farm Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This comp is weird...it’s like all cock rock with the exception of the Mutants who are an instrumental band (surf, funk, spy) from Finland that kicks ass. You get 3 songs from them, although I think they are all previously released. There is also an all-girl band called Thee Ultra Bimboos cover Twisted Sister and do a really good job at it (2 songs from them). These ladies aren’t really doing a cock rock thing either, more of just good old rock’n’roll. There is this other band called Lemonator who are like college-coffeehaus-emotional-shit. And you know, if I heard some awesome guitar shredding like the old school cock rockers (I’m a secret fan of bad 80’s metal, shhh) it might make it worthwhile... but I’m not hearing it. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rotten Apples “Real-Tuff (Durable Plastic)” Trash 2001 Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You know the world if half male and half female so why is punk dominated by men? I dunno either, but these girls are trying to balance the curve with their Seattle brand of punk rock. These gals serve it up with a new wave-ish edge that is fierce but not enough to scare you away. They cover Tears For Fears too, and that is cool in my book. I like the Rotten Apples and you will too. –Lisa
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Youngang “Canzoni Ribelli” youngang@virgilio.it | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Youngang is an Italian street punk band who put out this disc as a benefit for Anarchist Black Cross. It contains 6 solid covers they do of classic working-class Italian songs, followed by the same songs in their original form. While I really like this band, I almost think some of the original versions are better. The songs are definitely lifted from scratchy old Italian folk records & are sung with gut-wrenching vocals, making them really stand out as something cool that doesn’t usually land in my review pile. All versions are sung in Italian, but there is a CD-ROM track with lyrics in French & English as well. Very cool release. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ronnie Hayward “The Lonely One In Town” GrindTone Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All 17 tracks are originals, how often does that happen? Country-blues stripped down to its bare elements with just a dash of rockabilly thrown into the mix makes up this here disc. I read in the liner notes that Ronnie was always someone’s bass player, but now he is singing and fronting his own band, which this disc is the fruit of said labor. It also says that Ronnie is working on his vocals, and to be honest they kind of do need some work. But he’s not claiming to be the best crooner, he’s just giving it an honest try and that is respectable. This is a real laid back album, simple with basic elements of good music. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Grave Danger “Death City” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sometimes something is just so damned wrong that you either get your panties in a twist, or you laugh your ass off. Such is the case with track #10 entitled “Bangin’ A Mongoloid” about a high school janitor seduced by a retarded girl. That’s just one of the twisted tales on Death City. Grave Danger come from Phoenix and play an edgy sort of surf rock to make the devil proud. Nimble fingers and some subtle rockabilly undertones make this band one to aquaint yourself with. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Uncle Scratch’s Gospel Revival “Kickin’ the Devil in the Balls” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cleveland’s own born again bastards blurt out the brimstone blues and banter better than Buchanan brandishing a beer bong and a bible. They bring the big beat down like bricks on a baby, and blow through boredom like bullets bursting from a higher being. The band bangs through lo-fi hymns bent on becoming blessed bottle-throwing anthems bashed out by two men brilliant in their buffoonery. A brain washed is a brain bettered; blemished blood bleeds unfettered. Beezelbub’s bliss is boiling Baptists. “I Banged a Sinner” is beautiful, but the blasphemy that blots out brightness gave birth to “The Ballad of Adam and Eve.” Be done with baneful balderdash and dash back to the bible briskly. -BL
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Cougars “Manhandler” Thick Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I didn’t know what to expect from this; apparently the Dungeons& Dragons cover art was inspired by their tour with the Supersuckers where they listened to nothing but Man-O-War. There are 8 people in this band that serves up something kind of like Jesus Lizard with a brass section, which makes for an odd juxtaposition for sure. My brain still doesn’t know what to make of it: kind of cool in a noisy, grating way. Interesting at the very least. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cooterfinger “Smells Like Rock’N’Roll” EP & the “Three Chords and a... Grudge!” EP Illbilly Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is exactly what I wanted a garage band from Georgia to sound like: over-driven, lo-fi, countrified trash featuring the holy trinity of beat, riff, and attitude. If I found this digging through stacks of music at a record store I’d be boasting about my nose for quality, but since it was mailed to my doorstep I can’t claim a rockhound pedigree. Nevertheless, Cooterfinger deserves to penetrate that warm crevice that is your CD player & knuckle around in there. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Country Club & The Porn Horns “The Stationwagon Revolution” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
You gotta like a band that proclaims themselves to be “station wagon enthusiasts.” Wagons are so much cooler than those shitty SUVs. That said, this Brooklyn band has a real ecclectic range of influences ranging from a cover of Fear, to swanky jazz, to 60’s pop, and it’s mish-mashed together pretty well, keeping the proceedings interesting. Bands with horn sections can get pretty dicey for me, but this comes together nicely on most songs. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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My New Life “A Sad State of Affairs” Tomato Head, PO Box 61298 Sunnyvale, CA 94088 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It seems that Green Day have changed their name. Certainly is a sad state of affairs. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Compulsions “21 Powers Street” EP" Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The first of four songs by this NYC rock band stops just short of 5 minutes with its space-out guitar solo. On later songs they kind of remind me of the Black Crowes, albeit better than them. Good enough stuff, but despite my being almost 30, I am still not old enough for this. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Flogging Molly “Within a Mile of Home” Side One Dummy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This 7 piece Irish/folk/punk band is one of my absolute favorites. If you are a fan of the Pogues you will love these guys as I do. All the songs are written with strong sentiment behind them and the feelings come through in the music 100%. There is a track with guest singer Lucinda Williams called “Factory Girls”. Singer/songwriter Dave King also wrote two songs that each honor an idol of his whom has recently passed: “The Seven Deadly Sins” goes out to Joe Strummer and “Don’t Let Me Die Still Wondering” was written about Johnny Cash. I guarantee you will love each song on here. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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12 Step Rebels “Go Go Graveyard Rockin’” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
You know I am all about supporting the Psychos out there, but sometimes I just can’t do it. The press sheet included a blurb that says “their style is very similar to that of Demented Are Go” which is a ridiculous assertion. Not even close. Musically, they are adequate, nothing special though. As for the vocals, I am actually embarrassed for the guy. Talk about whiny, near-emo vocals with out any power. Sorry guys. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Shark Soup S/T Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hey, these guys are pretty good! The press sheet says they are a mix of the Living End, Mad Sin, the Misfits and Brian Setzer. That’s a pretty good description. Shark Soup sounds like punkabilly to me with their wicked bass player and raunchy guitar, and the vocals are pretty clean sounding. Overall, an enjoyable disc from a band I hope to hear more from in the future. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Electric Frankenstein “We Will Bury You!” TKO Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electric Frankenstein have always been hit and miss with me, and this double CD of all covers does both simultaneously. You get a wide variety of source material: Circle Jerks, AC/DC, Supersuckers, DRI, Dead Kennedys, X, Dictators, Aerosmith, Naked Raygun, Fleetwood Mac, Dead Boys, Blue Oyster Cult, Joan Jett, etc. Their treatment of Iron Maiden is well-done, but they couldn’t save Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.” It might actually be worse. All in all, though, a fair release. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pollo Del Mar “The Golden State” MuSick Recordings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is a surf album with a new-age feel, having almost a spiritual quality, like a transcendent exploration of the abyss. Beautifully captured fluidity, a swirling serenity, it’s like floating in a smooth vortex of ultra-clear tones and bubbling waters. “Mare Amniotica” explores the seascape of the womb, then a version of “Hall of the Mountain King” seems to slowly rise from the depths and build towards its proper elevation. “Magyara” is their take on gypsy music played in the Hungarian minor scale, and it ends with reverby memorial to Joe Strummer on “Charlie Don’t Surf.” This is one to put on, kick back, and relax in tranquility. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Darlington “Euthanize Me” Disaster Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coming from Dallas, Texas, I didn’t expect their first song to be a huge fuck off to the Nü Republicans. They warn about getting “your pro-life gay-bashing shit out of my face,” and elsewhere sing about destroying rich people’s homes and burning churches. Nice! The style is a skateboarding pop-punk, which too often gets all bubblegum and wussy for my tastes. While not every song is not a gem by a longshot, I do like the angry ones quite a bit. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Grand Arena Rock ‘N’ Roll Party” Various Artists Rumble Bros. Vuohiankatu 45, 15800 Lahti, Finland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boy, do they know how to have a good time in Finland or what? This CD is a compilation of a fest held this year with 5 bands donating 4 live tracks from their performance. According to the liner notes nearly 1000 rockers showed up to see Restless, Long Tall Texans, Francine, Whistle Bait and Flat Broke Trio. The live recordings turned out great and it sounds like this would have been an awesome show to witness. Fortunately for those of us who were absent we can get our hands on this disc, close our eyes, and pretend we were there. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Deep Eynde “Shadowland” Disaster Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I know it’s lame, but I wanted to like this band simply because it has an ex-member of Calavera. Unfortunately, I am just not feeling it. It comes off as Bad Religion gone Goth. Oh well. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gasoline Fight “Useless Piece of Weaponry” Thick Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Five songs here of what I’d describe as heavy, noisy, progressive hardcore that, while I might not listen to it much myself, I can respect it. The grinding discomfort is viceral and at times hard to get through, but they do give you enough of a song to stay interested. Not bad. - BL
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The Slats “Pick It Up” Latest Flame Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Prosecution: The defense will try and convince you that their “art-punk” has appeal beyond its “quirky” wordplay and indie-rock hooks. It works for Guided By Voices and Enon, doesn’t it? Perhaps, but The Slats pang of pretentious boredom, and the assertion that they move from The Beatles to Black Flag is ludicrous at best. Defense: What’s wrong with trying to write lyrics that avoid tired cliches, and trying to be creative with the delivery of songs? After all, it’s not a crime to be artsy. What? You only like rockabilly and silly punk rock? You know you liked their song about the Pancreas! I saw you bobbing along to track #9! The Jury: We find The Slats to be guilty of mediocre entertainment. Judge: The defendants are hereby sentenced to hang out in biker bars instead of coffee houses. - BL
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Nine Lives “Rocket” Jungle Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is a damn fine record. I’d say they are a lush neo-rockabilly that has country leanings and that intangibly European feel. The singer has a nice voice, the guitars sound great, and the songs and melodies are put together so well they become hard not to like. This Finnish band can rock, but more often the songs are laid back with a refined elegance, which has to be done exceptionally well for me to like. Fortunately, it is. Recommended. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Dropped on the Head Vol. I & II” Various Artists Illbilly Records, illbilly@ellijay.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is a strange and bizarre mix of songs all for you and your enjoyment. Most stuff sounds garage-ish to me with some real oddball tunes thrown in like “Minimalist” by Milo, “The Girl who had no Brain” by Jonee Earthquake Band and the weirdest of all “Mesmerizing Donut Glaze” by the Screamin’ Mee Mee’s. This is pretty damn enjoyable. I like bands who can have fun and aren’t all serious, but can still rock out. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Greenhaven 2-song sampler Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Modern metal as unpleasant as pubes on soap.- BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Knock-Out in the 7th Round” Various Artists Knock Out Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I’m pretty sure I have each individual bands albums that are featured here on this compilation and so you know I am going to like it. There are 22 tracks including bands like the Hudson Falcons, Cock Sparrer, Oxymoron, the Vanilla Muffins and the Addicts. Fans of Oi and punk should pick this up to play at parties. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Sonic Warfare 1” Various Artists Peace or Die Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is an unusual comp to land in my review pile. Most of it seems to be related to the metal genre, whether fast grindcore, atmospheric, thrash, or whatever. You get Blood Drive, Soul Casket, Croatan, etc. The Hypochondriacs with their punk’n’roll style would be my favorite if the vocals were a lot better. Truth be told, I really didn’t like any of these bands much at all. A few of them had female singers, for what that’s worth. I wish I could say something good and not be lying. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Tales from the Streets” Various Artists Knock Out Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Starts off with a strong track by Discipline followed by Vanilla Muffins, Argy Bargy, Broilers, Emscherkurve 77, Junkhead, Attila the Stockbroker’s Barnstormer, Retaliate, V8 Wankers, Lokalmatadore, and friggin’ Tankard! Some good stuff here, but not too exciting. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Concubine Forming “The Guilt Will Kill” Big Neck Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This here is some pretty harsh Industrial music that hammers at you like an abusive spouse. While they use a drum machine, this ain’t techno party music masquerading as Industrial. The fact that they create the bulk of their noise with instruments rather than a computer really adds to the savagery. There is an organic feel to its stilted pulse, like a punk band caught in a machine press. A tough listen, but not totally without merit. They also cover Billy Squire’s “Stroke Me” song. Ha! - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sledgeback “A Scavenger For Life” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sledgeback claims to be influenced by Social Distortion, Pennywise, and Therapy?. That sums them up pretty good, I reckon. They still sound pretty generic. The vocalist tries to add a bit of gravel in the pop-punk style music, but has an annoying filter on his voice that just makes it sound inappropriate. Mediocre fare at best. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Briggs “Leaving the Ways” Side One Dummy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
These guys sound like decent street punk/oi. I think the people that write these press sheets should be fired because they totally misrepresent the band. The press kit said they sound like the Clash and Rancid and have “revved up rockabilly” on some songs. That is a total mistruth to me. The kit DID mention ‘70’s oi and punk bands influence them. Even though the press kit sucked, the band did not. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Go Betty Go "Worst Enemy" Side One Dummy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Female fronted punk rock band with a pop sensibility, but still a bit of edge on some songs. Probably a bit over-produced for this kind of music. I could see it being pretty decent if you stripped off some of the polish. If it were porridge, it would be the right temperature but taste rather bland. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Welcome to Circus Punkabilly” Various Artists Wolverine Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Woah! A 30-track disc of bands that span the globe spreading punkabilly (and psycho) madness like Heidi Fleiss spreads syphilis. This starts off with a track by the Nekromantix and is followed by bands such as the Klingonz, Mad Sin, Cenobites, Godless Wicked Creeps, Astro Zombies, Os Catalepticos, Phantom Rockers, Koffin Kats, Hyperjax, the Wrecking Dead, Kings of Nuthin’, the Hangmen and many more. A great addition to anyone’s collection. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Streetpunk Worldwide” Various Artists Rebellion Records, Street Anthem Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Features Dirty Water, Weekend Warriors, Badlands, Vogelfrei, Sperrzone, Main Street Saints, Hardsell, Joe Coffee, Gundog, Vigilantes, and more. Best tracks by: Maddog Surrender, Antagonizers, Southern Way, Squalor, and Riot Squad (now Sweet Poison). Overall, just OK. -BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Black Lips! “We Did Not Know the Forest Spirit Made the Flowers Grow” Bomp Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sprouting from Atlanta like noxious fungi, the Black Lips sound like the Rolling Stones being devoured by a flesh-eating bacteria. A trainwreck of screaming feedback induced by psychedelic mushrooms yeilding a lo-fi garage dementia, makes this disc fume like the syrupy love drippings of a worn-out wood nymph with gonorrhea. Quite an unsettling ruckus to go with the carnal angst of the cerebrally damaged banging their bad thoughts onto rusty guitar strings, knowing the penis mightier than the sword. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Locomotions S/T | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I really like this band! Raw, unpolished, unapologetic rock that’s kicking my ass here. Thirteen tracks plus a hidden track (Little Eva’s “Locomotion”) that are all good from beginning to end. Including the hidden track, there are 5 covers including “Under My Thumb” which is my favorite Stones song. But who do these guys remind me of, so you can get an accurate description of their sound? Curses! This is the worst part of writing a review, I can’t think of who they remind me of. Okay, they sound like maybe the Stooges; you know that balls-out sound? Sorta garage, sorta punk. Just get it, you will like it. –Lisa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Ultra 5 “Denizens of Dementia” Green Cookie Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Formed in 1986 in New York, The Ultra 5 play a psychedelic garage rock that reminds me of the Velvet Underground and Iron Butterfly, but with the cultured perversion of The Cramps. Fuzzed guitars and organs used the right way make this band’s primitive delivery sheer auditory pleasure. Sexy, creepy, & fun, these 24 tracks are a must-have. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Surfacers Self-titled Green Cookie Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Damn! This is an amazing disc of instrumental surf from Argentina. I feel like I’ve given too many glowing reviews to surf bands lately, but this is truly exemplary work. Something about it just sounds fresh and inspired, even though they aren’t reinventing the wheel. The playing and production also hits me in all the right places. Don’t judge this disc by its cheesy cover; this is top shelf goods. Get yourself some. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Neck “Here’s Mud In Yer Eye!” Shite'N'Onions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Singer and guitarist Leeson O’Keefe’s stint as a member of Shane MacGowan’s Popes gives you an idea where this North London Irish band is coming from. For my money, this 6-piece ensemble is better than The Popes, with some great traditional instrumentation & arrangements resuscitating the genre with a strong breath of fervor & soul. It may be hard for jaded scenesters to accept another Irish rock band into the fold, but anyone not fully desensitized by now will readily throw their arms around Neck. The CD comes with the lyrics in the booklet & a glossary so you can reference the cultural lingo & history. High marks. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Barstool Hooligans “Cheap Shots” Band Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There may be a point where listening to rowdy drinking songs that mix punk, straight rock’n’roll, and traditional Irish music starts to get stale, but judging from this release, that point is so far beyond the horizon that by the time it rises into view, I’ll be snoring drunk in my urine-stained underpants. This band from Erie, PA manages to roll out that familiar combination with an approach that won’t give you a hangover. I’m not saying they’ve reinvented beer, I’m just saying that it has its own identity, and like a frothy Guinness, you’ll want more than just a small taste. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Sunday Drunks “On The Prowl” Dead Beat Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This sounds like early punk rock (lots of Stooges) mixed with a just a dash of Southern flavor (CCR), and it really works. Formed originally as a side project of members of the Mullens, thankfully the Sunday Drunks are taking the driver’s seat. Damn good rock’n’roll for porch drinkin’in clothes stained with barbecue sauce. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Stivs “The Beat Is Loose” Clumsy Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A band that takes its moniker from Stiv Bators can’t be all bad. In fact, to these ears this comes off as pure rock’n’roll savagery: it’s Dead Boys rubbed across sandpaper with some AC/DC and Motorhead sprinkled into the wound. More intense than a spastic colon and twice as dirty. I’d listen to this while jerking off into your father’s morning coffee. Oh yeah, it makes you wanna do fucked up things. You’ll need to shower afterwards, but then you’ll be ready for another round. - BL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Piebald “All Ears, All Eyes, All The Time” | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This is power-pop/indie rock that has the feel of Weezer mixed with Queen. The vocals are a hard sell, although the music arrangements are pretty neat. Actually, this band reminds me of Hedwig and the Angry Inch for some reason. This is what crew people working in community theatres or English majors with funny haircuts might really dig. Weird & well-done, but it fails to touch my inner core and define me as a person. - BL
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This Great Decay 5-song DIY EP racecarbkwds@yahoo.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sounds like college punk. Vocals need work. They are from Johnstown, PA. Nothing else to say. - BL
The Regulars | “Vegas” Rebellion Records Here we have a rockabilly group from Holland who pay homage to great artists like Johnny Cash & the Paladins. On this disc you get 11 tracks with 5 of them being covers. They are pretty rocking & are sure to get you dancing. The vocals reminded me a lot of the Belmont Playboys. Solid stuff. –Lisa
“Dear Johnny” | Various Artists Hairball 8 Records Here we have a 19 track disc of nothing but Cash covers in tribute to the man in black. All sorts of bands and performers came together to make this disc and a portion of the proceeds benefit Cash’s favorite charity, the SOS Children’s Villages. Many great artists are on here like Dale Watson, the Supersuckers, Kings of Nuthin’, Flametrick Subs, The Scotchgreens, and Satan’s Teardrops. A good CD with a great cause. –Lisa
Phantom 409 | “King of the Gutter” Jungle Records
The first song on this amazing - a dark, echoey open road tune with seasoned but smooth vocals. The following songs are lighter in mood, still featuring strong vocals coupled with great guitar tones and knowledgable fretwork. The song-writing doesn’t lean too heavy on Rockabilly cliches, often having hints of lounge and swing, ultimately carving out their own distinct style. The band is from Finland, which judging by the amount of music we get from there, must be one helluva rockin’ place. - BL
The Marked Men | “On the Outside” Dirtnap Records Featuring mostly members of the Reds, the Marked Men still keep a level of rawness in their delivery. However, they also riddle their punk rock with a good amount of oddball pop/emo hooks that can take a little getting used to. I wish more songs sounded like “Set You Right” than “Right Here With You.” Mostly, though, this is a decent disc. It just takes a few listens before it attaches itself to your brain. - BL
Razorblade | “Spreading Fear” Rebellion Records Oi! music ought to be basic, upbeat, and serve up a steel-toed kick to the groin. Razorblade from Holland adhere to that mantra. Bar-fighting music with deep, guttoral vocals. Pretty standard fare lyrically, but at least there is a flare of antisocial anger to keep it lively. - BL
Honkeytonk Damnation | “14 Minutes of Pleasure, A Lifetime of Regret” Band Site
When country is done right, as it rarely is these days, there’s not much else that can match its universal appeal. Punks, rockabillys, rednecks and rockers all respect it implicitly. It brings to mind the American dream, as well as the walled-in prisons that it leads us to build for ourselves. Country is all about reveling in your own damnation. This 5-song homemade demo shows this Akron, Ohio, band doing just that, with topics ranging from heartache and infidelity to murder and remorse. Then it all ends with “My Big Fat Baby,” which goes to show that the lyrics don’t have to be heavy if your girlfriend is. - BL
The Hillbilly Moon Explosion | “Bourgeois Baby” Crazy Love Records
I don’t think words can express my perverse love for this band. They really kick my ass and I like it. This band is kinda a mix of swamp boogie-hillbilly country rock. Dual vocals shared between upright bassist Oliver and rhythm guitarist Emanuela bring the music a dirty eloquence whose dichotomy gives me a tingle in my shorts. In all honesty, I think I’d kill you if you told me you didn’t like this group...you have been warned. If you buy one CD this winter, buy this 14 track gem. Lisa + Hillbilly Moon Explosion 4-Ever!
The Pagan Dead | “Mors Ianva Vitae Vita Ianva Mortis” Hairball 8 Records
Salt Lake City may well be the last place you expect to find a Death Metal influenced Psychobilly band, but then comes the Pagan Dead. You get songs about burning Christians, killing cops and “Latent Sanguinary Dementia” to accompany your passage into the fiery depths of hell. While slower than Os Catalepticos, fans of Asmodeus and similar bands will not be disappointed by this blood-curdling debut. - BL
The Southern Way | self-titled Rebellion Records
Hell yes! This is atom-splitting Dutch rock’n’roll that draws on influences from Oi, Speed Rock and even Rockabilly. Expert musicianship is paired with songs that positively gush with the frantic intensity of a football riot. Not a dull moment on the disc. If you don’t get a jolt of energy from this furious onslaught, it’s time to get the defibulators. Clear! - BL
Bloodshot Bill | “Rockabilly Trash” Band Site
Bloodshot Bill’s aptly titled CD makes this one-man band from Canada essential listening. His incredible vocals bring to mind a wild-eyed Roger Miller juiced up on moonshine, accented with Demented Are Go creepiness. The music exudes a lo-fi hillbilly vibe with a spooky backwoods element that comes off at once brooding and danceable. If you stripped the fat off most Rockabilly and left it bare-boned, unruly, and shivering, you’d get something like this. I fucking love it - highly recommended. - BL
Coffin Bangers | “Things that Go Bump in the Nightie” Eerie Records
Track listing? We don’t need to stinkin’ track listing! All you need to know is that this CD veiled in mystery has 11 tracks of horrorbilly mayhem that isn’t stale or way overdone like so many other bands in this genre. The Coffin Bangers have a fresh, sincere and gory feel that puts them heads above the rest. I would volunteer my brains any day as a feast for these guys and you will too when you hear this album. You need this devilish disc in your possession. Possess or be possessed! And it won’t be the good kind of possession when you can live in excess, screw many people, and eat pizza every day. It will be the kind of possession that causes you to get unholy diarrhea, pin worms and chronic bad breath. Save yourself! Get this CD or suffer a fate worse than death! –Lisa
Buck Jones | “Texas Rooster” Hog Farm Records
Don’t be fooled by the album title...these guys are not from Texas, they are from Finland. But they sure has a strong grip on Americana rock and they ain’t letting go. There are 15 cuts on this disc and I must say I enjoy each one. There are a few covers like “Rockabilly Boogie” and “Long White Cadillac”, but there are a shit ton of rocking originals like “Chicka-Boo Stomp” and “Let’s Get Drunk Tonight”. Their sound is kinda like a mix of the Cowslingers and the Blasters. Not really rockabilly, but more so a good country rock with an old school feel. –Lisa
Mannhai | “The Exploder” Spine Farm Records
This Finnish band has departed a bit from their past releases, from what I’ve read anyway, branching away from the stoner metal into a more 80’s heavy metal. Nothing as cheesy as the real bad hair bands of that era, and they do retain some cool riffs throughout a musically accomplished album, but the vocals are miles away from my comfort zone. Decent for what it is, but it isn’t beckoning me any closer. - BL
Circus Knucklebone | 6-song Demo Band Site
Some peculiar music seems to emanate from Finland, but at the very least it is interesting. This stuff has a 70’s kitsch feel to it, and features Stringbeans guitarist: Sam Räime. “King Kong” brings on the disco, while “Bad Super Cosmic” has a hard blues beat. “Bantam Flight” is a rocker mixed with sideshow funkiness, and even has a Spanish guitar interlude. Strange stuff that hits and misses, but I’ll be waiting to hear more. - BL
Rory Justice | “The Rockabilly Kid” Golly Gee Records
This entire CD was recorded live, and has a great vintage jukebox charm as they roll out the reverby twang with absolute conviction. Rory’s vocals carry a youthful punch unmatched since Ronnie Dawson’s early days. I know some reviewers get a chip on their shoulder about traditional stuff with their “nothing I haven’t heard before” ivory tower attitudes, but piss on my pillow if this ain’t executed perfectly. Fifteen songs here, mostly well-chosen covers and a few notable originals, all done with the kind of rustic production and blister-fingered guitar goodness that I love. If this doesn’t put a fire under your feet and a smile on your face, you probably have deeper issues than any CD can resolve. I can’t wait to see what comes next. - BL
Fifty Foot Combo | “The Monstrophonic Sound Live at Ernesto’s” & “Ghent-BXL” Drunkabilly Records
Every release by Belgium’s Fifty Foot Combo gets better and better, and it’s not like they started off shabby either. It’s just that the sound gets tighter, more refined but also more adventurous. They don’t just make the standard surf album, but rather surf becomes just one aspect of a broader amalgamation of influences. Some tracks have exotic or funky beats, some are more like awesome psychedelic soundtrack pieces, and some are lounging soul-surf numbers that nestle nicely between the wilder cuts of wah-wah fuzz guitars on a manic rampage. All maintain a sort 60’s/70’s swanky garage vibe with organs, bongos and a buttload of class. - BL
The Horrorshow Malchicks | “We Stand For Jerks” Demo mohicanpunx@hotmail.com Six songs here from an up-and-coming St. Louis punk band. Fast, angry, and successfully getting the adrenal gland to spit forth its energizing goo. Some of the songs sound like they are political. Might simply be called hardcore if it came out 20 years ago. Good stuff. - BL
Broken Bottles | “Drinking In The Rain” CD single TKO Records The two songs here are both slow, kind of Social D-ish, and the vocals are terrible in a way that I can’t decide if they might be so bad that they are actually cool. I’ve listened a few times, and I’m not able to reach a conclusion either way. While there is something about this that I like, it is also kind of annoying. There is a video included, but it’s not too exciting. - BL
RF7 | “Addictions & Heartache” Puke N Vomit Recs, PO Box 3435 Fulerton, CA 92834 God it’s nice to hear somebody playing hardcore properly: with aggression, passion, balls, and brilliance. The songs here capture an urgency without lacking resorting to tuneless screaming. The vocals come from the gut, the lyrics are far from the usual generic junk, and the pace is fast despite these So Cal punks apparently going at it since 1979. If you want hardcore with staying power, get this. I only wish I’d heard of them earlier. - BL
Declaration of War | 4-song live CD-R PO Box 57314 Atlanta, GA 30343 Screaming fast poltical hardcore thrash punk from Atlanta. Not a great recording, & some of the in-between song chatter should’ve been cut out, but there is some energy here. More for flailing about than sitting & listening to. Not my thing. - BL
The Trisonics | “All I Ever Wanna Do” EP info@trisonics.de This is 50’s rock’n’roll and rockabilly from Hallbergmoos (wherever that is). They are competent and catchy, but in need of a spark of something to set them apart. While the singer isn’t technically bad, I don’t really care for his voice much. There is a 50’s ballad on here too, which is okay if you like 50’s ballads, I guess. There is a note on the back of the CD that says “the lyrics of song 2 are in no way meant to depict Derek’s wife.” That’s funny. - BL
Wakin Dead | 18-song Demo wakindead@hotmail.com This is punk rock, often savagely fast with a bit of Oi! in the vox, and featuring Eric Eulberg from Last Call Brawlers (upright bass) singing and playing guitar. The bass is pretty low in the mix, but that doesn’t totally spoil the recording, which explodes with urgency. The guitars have a lot of old metal influence, reminding me of the stuff I listened to growing up (Deathrow maybe?). My only criticism is the bass needs to come up to fill out the sound, and the vocals need a bit of variation. Other than that, this is teaming with potential. - BL
Brassknuckle Boys | “American Bastard” LP & Brassknuckle Boys/Deadline “Can’t Be Beaten” LP Haunted Town Records These re-issues on vinyl may not be more practical than the CD format, but there’s no denying the superior sound. If you’re like me, often you really like a band on their 7”s, but when the CD comes out, it just lacks something. Well, it works the other way too. I really dug the “American Bastard” disc when it came out on CD a couple years back, so it stands to reason that it’s even better now. Seasoned Midwest street punk that has a little ountry in its blood. No dumbshit lyrics about owning the streets or their super-special glory boots either. This is the goods. The split with Deadline is decent too, but not nearly as crucial listening. - BL
Hateful | “Reasons to Be Hateful” Rebellion Records
This is Scottish Street Punk with some Ska creeping in at the edges. Throaty vocals and mid-tempo music. They aren’t terrible, but they don’t really stand out either. Kind of boring... choruses can drag on too long. - BL
The Weaklings | “Rock’N’Roll Owes Me” Dead Beat Records
The Weaklings have such a classic rock’n’roll sound that no further genre qualification is needed. It’s got the big guitars & the plodding 4/4 beat that drags you into its swirling vortex of smarm & charm. Pretty cool stuff that’s hard not to like. - BL
Communist Pussies | S/T Cassette Mondo Mutato Records, www.alphamonic.it I am not sure what to make of this. Some live and boom-box-sounding recordings as they play trashy, sometimes Cramps-ish punk rock that at times reminds me of a lesser Hillbilly Werewolf. Barely competent musicianship and bad singin’ - but they get it done in a way that has appeal. Song titles raise a few eyebrows with a fixation on the Third Reich that almost has to be a joke, but then again, I regard any band who sings about that shit as a joke. - BL
Knockdown | “The Game Is Ours”
If you liked the rock’n’roll/Oi! style of the Bruisers, you are gonna love Holland’s Knockdown, who also feature the ex-guitarist from Discipline. Neils has that razor-throated growl and fast turn of phrase that Al Barr had before DKM, and the music on the whole has that same blue-collar punch. They also do a great cover of “Blitzkrieg Bop.” Uncanny how much like the Bruisers they sound. I dig it. - BL
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Devices In Shift | 3-song sampler Band Site
Based in El Paso, Texas, D.I.S. provide three songs on here that have disagreeable vocals over top artsy music. I expect someone touring the Andy Warhol museum for the 20th time might have something like this playing in their headphones. More aggressive than a lot of others in this same genre, but it leaves me cold. - BL
The Dicemen | “Boogieman” Band Site This second EP by the Dicemen actually comes off more Southern Rock than Psychobilly. More melodic vocals, more guitar solos, yet still a bit of harder edge at times. Doesn’t knock my socks off, but it is decent. - BL
The Chicklettes | 14-song Demo Band Site Low-fi, garage/gutter punk with a dash of 50’s girl group influence describes the sound of this 4-piece from Little Rock, Arkansas. This is their demo disc, which is made up of whopping 14 tracks and you also get a nifty songbook included. Songs 11,12 and 13 are acoustic tunes while the last track is a nifty instrumental called “Casio Let Go” which I figure refers to the Casio keyboard sound it has, but isn’t cheesy; it’s actually well done. The whole demo is pretty good, although the sound is a bit muffled. The graphic lyrics on “Shoni’s a Dyke” made me laugh. - Lisa
Sweet Poison | “Yesterday’s Sweethearts” Street Anthem Records This band formerly known as Riot Squad, may still not be good at choosing band names, but they surely have improved musically since their debut. They kind of have a more melodic Bruisers/Social D. style with female back-up vocals. They move from dark and personal to drunk and boisterous without disrupting the thread binds the album together. With numerous good hooks that stick in my head, I’m saying it’s worth looking into. - BL
The Death Riders | “No Mercy” 3-song sampler Band Site Even before I read the bio, I thought the vocals were slightly like Rob Zombie, and then discovered that his bass player is in this band. I guess I’d call this death rock. Musically not too bad, but the vocals put me off. Not my bag. - BL
Stylefire | > “Obliquicity” 7” Mondo Mutato, alienb5@tin.it I thought this was the weirdest band in the world and was worried about what to write, then I discovered that I listened to the entire first side at 45RPM instead of 33RPM. Still, they are quite unusual: a sort of trash rock redneck jam groove with crunchy vocal tantrums. As strange as that sounds, I find myself diggin’ it. - BL
The Hollywoods vs. Freeway Jackals | 4-song Split 7” Black Juju Records
The Hollywoods play lo-fi, muddy and masterful garage surf, including a great instrumental cover of “Angel Fuck” by the Misfits. The Freeway Jackals crank out fast and furious female-fronted psychobilly with a double-barreled punk rock discharge. A mighty fine split. - BL
Marvel | “Bedlam at the Embassy” 4-song 7” Black Juju Records
Very 1970’s sounding songs by these comic book obsessed rockers. Think Kiss, Thin Lizzy, etc. and you’ll have an idea. What you won’t realize is that its not terrible. Somehow I find myself intrigued by it. I don’t know how or why, but this isn’t half bad... recommended rock’n’roll. - BL
Kill The Hippies | “Jerked Off By Strangers” 5-song 7”EP Band Site
Anyone within earshot over the last several years already knows that KTH are one of my favorite bands. This latest 7” hasn’t done anything to change that opinion. These songs were recorded (well) in their own apartment, and further display their lyrical poignancy in crafting perfect punk rock songs. Pulling from an ecclectic array of musical interests, they bring to mind everything from forgotten 70’s rock to obscure 80’s punk. I can only hope that one day they’ll be legends and it’ll all be traced back to this one pivotal review. - BL
The Locomotions | 4-song “Teacher” 7” Big Neck Records
The first song on this is a raging rocker, then they shift more towards a crude 60’s soul that is still good. Side B starts with a cover of “Claudette,” which I’m pretty sure is originally by Roy Orbison, although no one is credited. Still, that song and “Do It Again” round out a good stab o’ vinyl. - BL
The Triggers | 3-Song 7” Dirtnap Records
I’ve been a fan of the Triggers since I got their full-length on Dirtnap Records last year, and this 7” isn’t far from that mark. Female-fronted grimey punk rock with a sneering insolence. They seem in a bit of a darker mood here, but still good. - BL
The Ends | “New Rome” 7” Dirtnap Records
These guys remind me a lot of The Stitches, which ain’t a bad thing since I really like the Stitches. Their snotty punk rock has a slight AC/DC delivery on “New Rome,” and sort of Sex Pistols sound on “Saw It Comin.” Good stuff. - BL
The Sick Fits | “Mirror Creeps” 7” EP Big Neck Records
These Canadians manage to mix the electrostatic charge of ‘77 punk with the push of wild-eyed garage rock’n’roll, and pull it off well enough for me suggest that you all get a copy before global warming causes the precious wax to melt. - BL
FM Knives | 2-song 7” Dirtnap Records
I’m sure these guys are more tired of being compared to the Buzzcocks than to any other late 70’s early 80’s punk band, but it seems pretty accurate, and they do it quite well. Not bad by any stretch, but it’s not gonna make you do cartwheels either. - BL
Seger Liberation Army | “2+2=?” Big Neck Records
Well, butter my nipples and call me Aunt Mildred, who knew that Bob Seger, the lamest dirtbag to ever grace a Chevy commercial, actually had an early period of good Detroit garage rock back in the 60’s? Not me. Apparently, the he won’t let the original recordings come out either because he hates his old bandmates. In steps members of Bantam Rooster, New Bomb Turks, Dirtbombs, and The Come Ons to cover two of those tunes and let the repudiated era of Segerliciousness rise again. Pretty good stuff.- BL
James Richard Oliver | “Rocket to Nashville” 4-song 7” Illbilly Records, PO Box 924 Blue Ridge, GA 30513 Very cool rural rock’n’roll with Southern drawl, dirty gritars, and a beat you can eat biscuits to. What else you wanna know? Good time music. - BL
Gutter Demons | “Human Remains” 3-song 7” Fantoom Records
Solid Canadian psychobilly: heavy and competently played. The B-side has covers of Jimmie Lee Maslon and Bill Haley, which are very cool. Look into it. - BL
The Flakes | “Straight Jacket” 7” EP Black Juju Records
I’m not really digging this Swedish band much at all. Strikes me as a pretty vanilla rock sound. They’ve been compared to Devo and the Descendents, which I don’t really hear, but you might. - BL
Trailer Park Tornados | “Don’t Mind the Maggots” 7” EP Big Neck Records
A sonic assault by these maladjusted creeps from Buffalo, NY, this sounds raw, pissed-off, and somehow dead-on. They play a lo-fi antisocial rock’n’roll that would go well with filthy sex acts behind dumpsters or picking drunken fights with people bigger than you. Cool stuff. - BL
The Mutants | “Stampede Caravan #2/Crooner’s Breakfast” 7” Black Juju Records
I always think the Mutants sound better on record, and am happiest when a new 7” of their instrumental goodness comes in the mail. These two cuts sound more 60’s inspired than their Cuban/mambo style, and both have the right amount of verve and vision to warrant their sonic transmission via vinyl. Nice work. - BL
V8 Wankers | “Automotive Rampage” Knock Out Records
These German U.S. car enthusiasts play a grease-stained rock’n’roll in the vein of Nashville Pussy, et al. Over-driven guitars and songs about “Detroit Steel” and “Boulevard Bullets.” It doesn’t thrill nor bother me. Pretty good for what it is. - BL
Lota Red | “The Vintage Tapes” 4-song 7” Sprinter Records
Great Neo-Rockabilly from Berlin bursting with boundless exuberance, this slab o’ wax rocks like nobody’s business. Reverby vocals accompanied by full-sounding slap bass bangin’, and guitars riffin’ and twangin’. This passes inspection: approved for home use. - BL
Hole in the Head | “Trouble Cruiser” 4-song 7”EP Band Site Records
This upbeat Finnish “garagebilly” band is pretty damn good. Jangly, distorted guitars drive the herd into open country, while the singer ropes in any stragglers. Another fine release. - BL
Charge 69 | “Univer$ale” LP Knock Out Records This French street punk band is still kicking after 10 years, and judging from this album, it doesn’t seem like they’re losing any steam. Despite having no English songs, it’s still enjoyable, owing to the diversity in tempos betweens cuts. Some are all-out whirlwinds, while others are more melodic, and still others throw in a little reggae that doesn’t come off as lame or dull. An album good enough to date my sister. - BL
Blood For Blood | “Outlaw Anthems” LP Knock Out Records With a lot of hardcore you get tough-guy posturing that, whether real or faked, just seems hollow and stupid - like their whole identity hinges on macho cliches, and since they can’t earn real respect, they strive to be feared. I bring this up because Blood For Blood have been able to side-step this one-dimensional idiocy without sacrificing the aggression. They come off as sincere - angry about real shit, real problems. The listening experience becomes a cathartic rush as you vent along with them. It’s not about looking cool or beating your chest as much as it’s about getting something out and alleviating frustration. That, and they write some damn good songs that connect at a primal level and get you pumped up, so after the show you feel good enough to go to work the next day without your gun. - BL
The Young Werewolves | Self-Titled Band Site Like your rockabilly with a horror movie edge? The Young Werewolves are the band for you. Blending the feel of all the classic surf and twang I know you love with a very healthy (or unhealthy?) dose of B-horror, this three-piece from Philly takes you to the dark corners of your mind when things go bump in the night, and have a great time doing it. Think Misfits with a sense of humor. (Yes, Glen, I’m talking to you. Lighten up.) With songs like Zombie Car Chase, The Night The Phantom Went Down To Graceland, Graveyard Of Love, Werewolf Fever...well, I love every song on this disc, so all I can say is buy the damn thing and listen for yourself. Drummer Johnny Wolf, bassist Shewolf Dana K., and guitarist Wolfman Nick Falcon all share vocals, each one standing by themselves while at the same time bringing it all together to create that special Werewolf sound. Check them out, ‘kay? ‘Nuff said. - Doogie
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