Agnostic Front/Discipline split double LP The Amazombies "Bitches & Stitches" Angelic Upstarts - Two Re-Issues Astro Zombies "Mutulate, Torture, & Kill" Band from Planet X "Wigs for Sale" Bedford “Singles 1995-2000” Beerzone “British Streetpunk” The Brimstones “Spend Eternity With...” Boogieman “Triple Six Blues” The Briggs "Numbers" Casey Sisters “Crazy Spree” Cash O’Riley “Booze, Lust, Lies...” CD Truth “Chemically Dependent” Chicken McHead "Squawk!" The Cramps "Fiends of Dope Island" Deadbolt “Haight Street Hippie Massacre” Deadline “Back For More” Dirty Water S/T CD Discipline "Rejects of Society" Discipline "Saints & Sinners" El Sob "Welcome to El Sob" The Exploding Hearts "Guitar Romantic" Fate 2 Hate "Iron Fist" Fetal Pigs In Brine "self-titled" Fighting Chance "Thus Hope Fades" The Forgotten "Out of Print" Francine "Level 8" Freddy & the Four Gone Conclusions "Wigged Out Sounds" The Go Getters “...Brand New Cadillac” EP The Heartaches “Lunacy & Devastation” Jack Baymoore & the Bandits “Diggin’ out!” Kill Van Helsing "Alien Hotrod" Leyton Buzzards “The Punk Collection” Limecell “It’s Gonna Get Ugly” Local H "The No Fun EP"

Lousy "The Babylon District" Manic Hispanic "Mijo Goes to Jr. College" Mad Sin "Survival of the Sickest" The Marauders “Alibi” The Meteors "Psychobilly" The Mofos "Superhcarged on Alcohol" The Mutilators Organic “The Life and Times of Sal Sagev” “Pizza & Sushi” EP (Various Artists) Plan A Project S/T full-length CD The Psychoville Slashers “Bone Frappin’ Blues” The Red Scare "Eight Pieces of Summer" The Riffs "Death Or Glory" Riot Squad "Another Heartbreak EP" The Seizures "First Strike" 7" Shutdown 66 "Welcomes to Dumpsville" The Spectors "Cockfights & Cakefights 1992-96" The Standing 69’s “Short Dress” Star Strangled Bastards “Whose War Is It?” Suicide Machines “A Match and Some Gasoline” Sullen “Paint the Moon” The Surf Lords "Shark Attack!" Susan & The Surftones “Wrap-around” Thunderosa “Turn Up The Gunrack” Throw Rag "Desert Shores" The Tribal Bops "Play or Sing with..." The Triggers “Shoot Your Mouth Off” The Unseen "Explode" Up To Vegas "Voodoo Truckin" The Vanilla Muffins “The Drug Is Football” Various Artists “Depravity in Zero Gravity” Various Artists "Motormadness Vol. 2" 10" Very Ape "Kosher Boogie" Willie Heath Neal "Unknown"

The Astro Zombies “Mutilate, Torture, and Kill” Nova Express, kaisernova@aol.com Oh yeah, this is what I needed... incendiary psychobilly from France that mixes their sound up to make the album one you’ll keep in for the duration of the running time. I actually listened to it several times when I got it in the mail. There’s lots of surf and rockabilly sounds thrown into their punk and psycho calamity. Whether its the cover of “Bertha Lou” done with a ska beat, organ, and ‘billy riffs, the cannon-balling rip-roar of “666 Racing,” or the B-movie depravity of “Terrifying Astro Zombies,” you’ll easily fall prey to their musical prowess and their dark, oddball humor (much like my own). When you get a song called “Devil Duckie” about the evil version of Ernie’s rubber duckie, you know they aren’t taking themselves too seriously. Instead, they hit you from all angles, and deliver a knockout punch with this release. - BL Back to Contents Fetal Pigs In Brine Self-Titled Still Fumin' Records Apart from one of the best band names I’ve heard, this band also has the chops to back it up too. Actually, they are all over the place, with some psychedelic instrumentals that roll and crash like waves, the biting hardcore of their namesake song, and covers including an older Beck tune, a punk rock Monkees song with low rumbling keyboards, and a vastly altered version of Sublime’s “Paddle Out.” The Sublime tune ups the ante on weirdness with the sound of a cheap Casio keyboard and a seaside lounge feel. You also get a really sparse atmospheric, exotic piece called “Distant Pulses” played with Mbira and Zither, making for transcendental listening. Throughout this disc you get an eccentric feel woven into a tapestry that includes some harder moments as well. Songs like “In The Garden” and “Pain Inside” are positively strange in a really good way, with effective use of keyboard sounds and sweltering guitar. And you won’t soon forget the insanity of “Shufflin’ Blues,” which stalks you like a creepy prowler then periodically lashes out in a punk rock frenzy reminiscent of Suicidal Tendencies’ first album. By the end of the disc you are left bewildered and intrigued... wondering what the hell just happened. It’s nice to hear a band that doesn’t fit any predetermined mold and pulls it off proficiently. A firm nod of approval. - BL Back to Contents The Unseen "Explode" BYO Records This is hardcore punk rock for the angry mohawk crowd, and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. In fact, there is plenty of good shit on here, and its brimming with energy infused with a sense of disgruntled impatience. Actually, on a lot of songs you get a cynical, frustrated and self-destructive outlook that comes across as genuine. I’m not in total love with this, but it’s not gonna be resigned to oblivion in the outer reaches of my collection either. These guys have been doing it a while, and aren’t likely to let up any time soon. - BL Back to Contents The Forgotten "Out Of Print" BYO Records I was pretty disappointed with the last Forgotten CD. This is more like what I expected, being culled form their old 7”s, various comp songs, a few new songs to boot. Extremely catchy punk that isn’t breaking any molds, but is undeniably enjoyable from start to finish. It lacks the big production of their last effort, and will wake up your sleeping limbs. This is just damn good upbeat punk rock that sticks in your head like a poison dart... even the new stuff. Gets my seal of approval, for whatever that’s worth. - BL Back to Contents Shut Down 66 “Welcome to Dumpsville” Get Hip Records Gloriously crude rock’n’roll piped out with a 60’s era dementia. Put Question Mark & the Mysterions, The Stooges, Sonics, Kinks, Rolling Stones, Paul Revere & The Raiders, and 2 cups of cocaine in a blender then hit purée. This is a loose and wild ode to scrappy garage pandemonium, and it’s done very well. You get jangly guitars, harmonica, and some organ – all with a lunatic singer at the helm leading the procession into a frenetic wonderland. What I think is wrong with a lot of bands playing this stuff is either too much structure, production, and pop hooks - or conversely being too bogged down in lo-fi noise racket. These guys are like the perfect porridge for the finicky Goldilocks who likes it rough but not mean. - BL Back to Contents The Surf Lords "Shark Attack!" Band's Site From New Mexico, this surf band has a fresh sounding approach. While they retain the basic style with reverb-soaked guitars and picking technique, they opt not for a power-crunch, but instead create smooth, flowing atmospheres that tend towards the exotic. “Cleopatra” has a mellow flow that parallels the sparse deserts of Egypt with those of New Mexico, while "Bombay Highway Parts 1 & 2” beautifully nestles the sounds of India in a slow, dreamy surf reverie – the kind of stuff that you listen to in the dark and drift away. Also included is an excellent version of the Goldfinger theme, Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Stone form the Sun”, Billy Idol’s “White Wedding,” and Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire.” All of them re-imagined with an addictive laid-back attitude. Only a couple songs include vocals, and those are the only ones that didn’t ignite my affections as much. Good stuff on here. - BL Back to Contents The Red Scare "Eight Pieces of Summer" Band's Site I don’t know what to call this music other than a light college rock. Fairly creative and competent. They are a three-piece from Canada, and the drummer sings. Not what I’m into... I’d trade this for a piece of chewing gum. - BL Back to Contents Organic “The Life and Times of Sal Sagev” Microcosm, PO Box 14332 Portland, OR 97293 Low-production pop-punk with more gravel in the vocals. Has an emo ring to it. Sometimes they aren’t bad, but most times it really doesn’t appeal to me. I tried, but 25 songs is a lot to sift through when you aren't very into the style. Has its moments, but most of them pass me by like strangers on the street. - BL Back to Contents Angelic Upstarts “Teenage Warning” & “We Gotta Get out of this Place” Captain Oi Records For those of you who get into late 70’s, early 80’s punk and Oi! you have probably already heard of this influential band and know what good shit they are. Both discs are chock full of the goods: classic songs like “Never ‘Ad Nothin,” “The Murder of Liddle Towers,” “Police Oppresion” and of course the rallying anthem, “Teenage Warning.” This was the real deal, done with a ragged urgency and class-consciousness that the trendy media and its drones tried to overlook. Aside from the big songs that stood the test of time, there’s plenty of other quality tracks to sing along to, including “The Young Ones,” “Their Destiny Is Coming” and “Let’s Speed.” These are nice re-issues for fans out there to pick up. -Lisa Back to Contents Susan & The Surftones “Wrap-Around” Omom World Susan Yasinski heads this surf instrumental group on lead guitar, and does a fine job of it. For some reason, it is very rare for a female to play lead in a surf band, so I’m glad to see someone doing it so capably. The music stands for itself: easygoing reverb guitar blowing like sea breeze over top keyboard-carved coastlines. They do good covers of the Clash and Mancini, as well as a favorite of so many surf bands: “Ghost Riders In The Sky.” On “Sand Dreamer” they pull of a hypnotic piece with exotic Far East flavor, which is probably my favorite track. Good listen, good band. - BL Back to Contents Sullen "Paint the Moon" Thick Records Their press sheet says they are “a power trio fronted by a boy/girl combo reminiscent of Thurston and Kim in the era that was Goo.” It has hard grinding moments that subside into quieter interludes, which proceed to slowly build back up. While as a Midwestern band they try to distance themselves from the NYC arty vibe, I think its influence is definitely in there, minus perhaps the pretension. Creative and interesting, but not something I’m really into. - BL Back to Contents Deadbolt “Haight Street Hippie Massacre” Cargo Music Deadbolt have never really been my cup of tea. While I do like the spoken stories delivered like a film noir voice-over atop the slow, mellow surf music idea, some of the tunes tend to drag and there’s no much variation. Still, taken in moderation some songs are undeniably humorous and appealing, especially tracks like “Truck Drivin’ S.O.B.” “Who the Hell is Mrs. Valdez,” “Zulu Death Mask” and others. I guess I have just have to be in the mood for it. Their shtick just wears thin on me after a while, as their brand of idealism doesn‘t always jive with mine. - BL Back to Contents Boogieman “Triple Six Blues” I Used to Fuck People Like You In Prison Records These Swedes remind me of White Zombie doing something like Southern metal. Then a couple tracks in, “14 Pictures” starts sounding like Tool a bit as well. Anyway, they aren’t a really bad band, although there are elements of pop metal as well. I don’t know... just not my bag, I guess. “Yellow Sea” was pretty neat as stoner instrumentals go. I’m popping it out now, though. Not interested. – BL Back to Contents Various Artists "Pizza and Sushi" EP Omom World Ha, a compilation named after my two most favorite foods. And the disc sounds as good as the title implies. There are four tracks from bands which I believe are all Japanese girls. Cosmonauti perform a darker, surf sounding song, “Cajun Girl” that’s slow and breezy like a late night beside a pool at a cheap Vegas Motor Inn. Mummy the Peepshow perform “Honey & Sandwich” which starts off slow and then kicks into a fast, happy punk song. There is also a real loungy, jazz tune by Petty Booka called “Bla Bla Bla Cha Cha Cha” which features a charming female vocalist on this eccentric and enchanting number. The last tune is also a surf instrumental called “Kissin’ Bonobo Roll” by the Bradipos Four which features an organ and a saxophone player. Good shit! Be sure to get this. -Lisa Back to Contents The Heartaches “Lunacy & Devastation” I Used to Fuck People Like You In Prison Records Here you get some dirty punk rock form Belgium somewhat in the ’77 vein. It has a darker feel and boasts having “no feel good rock’n’roll, but raunchy and honest music form one bored generation to another.” Vocals are not snotty, but more raspy and raw, while the songs range from upbeat numbers creating discord with the often stark melodies of the slower ones. Still, I wouldn’t say that they are depressing; they just have a real-world outlook and sound. At times they recall old Social D or U.S. Bombs. Pretty decent stuff. - BL Back to Contents Bedford “Spaceships, Sex & Jealousy: Singles 1995-2000” Microcosm Records Joe Beil at Microcosm is obviously a literate and interesting man (just read his article “Did the CIA Kill Martin Luther King Jr.?” in the latest Razorcake). However, I think we have different musical tastes. This is pop-punk, but not in that dressed up for MTV sense. Instead I get a sense of a band not searching for broad appeal, but rather just playing music they love. I don’t love it, though. I chalk it up to an aesthetic divergence (and the fact that I can’t get it to play without skipping). I don’t categorically hate pop-punk, but this just isn’t pressing my love button. - BL Back to Contents The Brimstones “Spend Eternity With...” Band's Site Since 1999 the Brimstones from Jersey have been playing this weird, spooky surf that has been chilling the bones of mortals and lightening the spirits of the undead. They have creepy vintage organ playing mixed in with bits and pieces of religious sound bites, dark vocals and saxophone any several tracks. Thank Satan the vocals aren’t lame, I hate it when surf bands try to have vocals and they end up sucking...but this is not the case here. Where there are vocals the bands kind of shifts into a chaotic lo-fi garage band that the vocals fit in with perfectly. You get 19 tracks that are sure to be the perfect music score for ritual disemboweling and virgin sacrifices. –Lisa Back to Contents The Standing 69’s “Short Dress” standing69s@yahoo.com This disc starts off with a “Radar Love” riff then proceeds to bash out some really good and sleazy late 70’s/early 80’s style punk rock. These Clevelanders capture the attitude and feel quite well on this 7-song demo. No complaints here: very good stuff to listen to while making amateur porn and drinking 40’s. - BL Back to Contents Psychoville Slashers “Bone Frappin' Blues” Band's Site I think the band is now called the Devil Spades. Whatever their name is, this some good American psychobilly coming out of New York. This is a 5-song demo is a bleeding knuckle slugfest, that puts me in the mind of some Klingonz influence. They also do a good rockabilly tune, “Country Mile,” keeping the roots in the music. “Dyin’ To Get In” gets a little weird towards the end, but the band definitely shows promise: a good listen. - BL Back to Contents Thunderosa “Turn Up The Gunrack” Band's Site Thunderosa play a sort of redneck, Southern hard rock/80’s heavy metal that kind of reminds me of Jackal in a way. It’s the kind of thing you might listen to while drinkin’ some beers and working on your derby car. “Shut Down” and the title cut are the songs you’d play while actually driving in that demolition derby. Still, despite some really good guitar hooks, this isn’t something I’m getting into for the most part. It is played quite well, just not my thing. - BL Back to Contents The Suicide Machines “A Match and Some Gasoline” Side One Dummy Here you have a band that really despises the current administration, and is not afraid to be vocal about it. On “Your Silence” they condemn what they see as a war for profit, and admonish those who blissfully go through life thinking politics don’t concern them. Personally, I don’t think they’re far from the mark... I mean how the fuck is attacking a country with questionable justification and further enraging the Arabic world gonna help combat terrorism? It seems that anyone with such an opinion always has to qualify it by saying that they aren’t un-American and that they care about the troops, which to my mind should be a given. Just because you’re critical of our leadership doesn’t mean that you’re a seditious Communist conspirator or some shit like that. Dissent is an integral part of democracy. Anyway, the music oscillates between some pummeling hardcore punk rock and a good amount of pop-ska. The harder bits are really damn good, but the other doesn’t generally take me under its wing. A decent offering, all the same. - BL Back to Contents Cash O’Riley & The Downright Daddies “Booze, Lust, Lies & Heartache... Tales of Steppin’ of the Rural Route” Band's Site Here we have a rockabilly band with a big country twist that can make you feel right at home sitting on a front porch whittling wood with Uncle Billy. Most if the tunes are laid back and easy going with the exception of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock N Roll” where they really hoot and holler at the moon. Cash’s voice is nice and clear with just the right of emotion to be genuine and mix perfectly with the country ballads. The upright player also plays the saxophone and really wails...I just wish the sax would be used more often in the recording. There is also a hidden track about mosquitoes landing on yer private parts. This is a real decent disc and I think you’ll agree. -Lisa Back to Contents The Triggers "Shoot Your Mouth Off" Dirt Nap Records Female fronted punk rock with great energy, rough edges, and an irreverent fervor. You gotta love a band that sings about hygienic disregard and a firm disbelief in so-called germs. They keep it sweaty and untamed... perfect for late night misdeeds and drunken mischief. If you can describe a band by how they affect your ability to operate a motor vehicle, this may cause erratic, reckless driving. Listen with caution. - BL Back to Contents Deadline “Back For More” Captain Oi! Records Female fronted punk/oi from England, Deadline have an unusual sound. While the music is straight forward punk rock, her vocals are kind of poppier, and the harmonies remind me of the Sealab song, but I think I like it. The songs are very catchy, and there’s a ska tune tossed into the mix. Pretty cool stuff. - BL Back to Contents The Vanilla Muffins “The Drug Is Football” Knock Out Records The Vanilla Muffins serve up more of the light “Sugar Oi” on this newest release. It’s catchy and happy-sounding, including a cover of 80’s pop hit “Mexican Radio” by Wall of Voodoo. “Streetrock Rules the World” has an oldies feel with piano thrown in. Not a bad release, but I have to be in the mood for it. - BL Back to Contents The Leyton Buzzards "Punk Singles Collection" Captain Oi Records These Britons formed the band in 1976, and this CD takes you from then to 1980. Some songs are a good early punk rock (who can’t appreciate a song praising euthanasia?), while some of the other tracks take on a mellow reggae influence, or alternately a pub rock sound. The obvious comparison would be their contemporaries, The Clash. Not bad stuff. Not essential, but good nonetheless. - BL Back to Contents Plan A Project Self-Titled Go-Kart Records This ain’t bad... reminds me a lot of Rancid/Op. Ivy as well as a little Showcase Showdown. A good upbeat pogo punk with roaming bass lines and catchy choruses. There’s a youthful exuberance to this, despite the band being formed in 1995. While it might be easy to write them off as Rancid Jr., I still like them. They do it well. - BL Back to Contents CD Truth "Chemically Dependent" Food In Mouth, 610 Philip Ave., Akron, OH 44305 CD Truth have been creating havoc in Akron, OH since 1989, corrupting the youth with their take on punk rock peppered with an underground pop sensibility. The vocals are light and delivered easy, but still often with a sneering quality. They have several energetic mashers like “No Retreat,” “N.Y.O.” & “Follow Me To Akron,” but the band also flexes some different muscles on “Slip Inside,” which musically sounds like a darker Billy Idol song with its rolling bassline and arpeggios. After that you come to “Queen of Blood,” which keeps the dark feel (with humor), but turns into a churning sort of metal. Elsewhere, “My Friends Are Doing Bad Things Again” comes off almost like Jane’s Addiction – especially vocally – while “King of the Highland Square Losers” opts for a more rock’n’roll approach. The last song, “Bubble Up!” has a really cool new wave feel to it in a strange Devo sort of way. The production on the CD is very professional, clean and big, but fortunately doesn’t wreck the energy. A couple songs really don’t do much for me, and I would like the singer to be a little more forceful, but overall I really like this. - BL Back to Contents Star Strangled Bastards “Whose War Is It?” Go-Kart Records Taking cues from the likes of Discharge and other of the 80’s era hardcore bands, The Star Strangled Bastards stand out amidst a sea of bands striving for the same effect. Why? Because they don’t try and turn every song into a hollow anthem, instead being direct, pissed off, and somehow not nostalgic. Because there is so much energy and speed to this that if you don’t brace yourself for the onslaught it’ll knock you on your back. The vocals put me in the mind of B.G.K., while the guitars and drums crush all in their path. A keeper for those who revel in swirling punk rock chaos. It‘ll leave you dizzy and satisfied. - BL Back to Contents The Go Getters “Brand New Cadillac EP” Goofin Records This Swedish trio has nailed it! What a fantastic EP, how sad it’s only 3 tracks long! “Brand New Cadillac”, yes, it has been covered a million times, but not to the theme of Peter Gunn. “No Heart To Spare” a very vintage sounding rockabilly tune that is cool, but not too corny. The singers vocals actually remind me a bit of Big Sandy the way he croons. “Black Magic Woman” is covered also, but differently than the way Carlos Santana did it. It is slowed down a bit and he sings in a way that actually makes you believe he is currently under the spell of this woman. Good shit! -Lisa Back to Contents Casey Sisters & The Salt Flat Stompers “Crazy Spree” Tail Records Here we have a superb disc full of 16 tracks that are guaranteed to get you moving and shaking (guarantee does not apply to quadriplegics). I first heard of the Casey Sisters when I saw them at the Green Bay Rockabilly Week and were backed by Cave Catt Sammy. I was very impressed with their ability to harmonize and captivate the crowd with their no-nonsense attitude and rockin’ capabilities. This disc ranges from blues tunes like “Dancing Teardrops”, to jazz songs like “Twelve O’Clock”, to piano infused rockabilly like “That’s What I Need” and even old time country like “Four Little Sparrows”. Psychic Dion Warick says I’ll be playing this CD a lot in the future and am going to make out in the back of my car while it’s playing. -Lisa Back to Contents The Marauders “Alibi” 814 Records This is the premiere full-length by Pennsylvania’s hardest drinkin’, bad thought thinkin’, smoky bar stinkin’, boat sinkin’ and sly winkin’ rockabilly band. And if that description didn’t rouse your curiosity then you are about as interesting as a bowl of cold oatmeal. There is a bit of country in this and a lot of rock as well. What I really like is how on the title track “Alibi” you have this low down, dirty rock number and then out of the blue comes this magnificent slide guitar. Ben Dumm takes on the vocals with a heartfelt sincerity that tugs at your heartstrings one moment (“My Revolver”) and has you giggling the next (“She’s a Prostitute”). This is an overall supreme band that is going to make it’s mark is the music scene. Are you going to be able to say you had their first album way back when it first came out? Let’s hope so. -Lisa Back to Contents Limecell “It's Gonna Get Ugly” TKO Records This here is fightin’ music – rough and ready, kick you in the balls punk rock with an Oi! plated fist. Actually, they have a lot of the Confederacy of Scum sound, but deliver it a shade better than the others. It just sounds mean as fuck - low and growling dogfight rock’n’roll. Take the title seriously, because there ain’t a pretty song in the bunch. Instead it’s the kind of music that goes well with getting tattooed or getting drunk and Terrorizing your annoying neighbors. Nice. – BL Back to Contents Jack Baymoore & the Bandits "Diggin' Out" Tail Records Very impressive, this disc from Sweden’s Jack Baymoore and the Bandits is their first in three and a half years is no let down. Not content with being a one trick pony, these guys serve up a range of sounds, all stemming from 50’s roots. You get some songs more in the stripped down rockabilly vein, such as “Shake Around” and the amazing “Bankrobbin’ R&R,” which has that black jacket, switchblade rebel feel. Then you also get some good western bop and swing, like on “Mr. Love,” and some crooning Elvis inspired numbers such as “I Wish You Were Here” and “To Fall In Love” complete with a 4-piece vocal group. While I’m not a huge fan of the lighter velvety sound, it is hard not to admire how well it is pulled off. Baymoore throughout the disc shows a wide range of vocal styles, from smooth ballads to late 50’s rock’n’roll, rockabilly, and country – all done more than competently. The country shuffling “I Wanta Make Love” has singing that reminds of me Deke Dickerson, who in turn reminds me of Buck Owens, and then there’s “I’ll Miss You,” an uncanny homage to Johnny Cash. There is also a great instrumental with hillbilly guitar and sax. What you are left with in the end is an album easily listenable all the way through, and done with a real feel for each style they slip into. Recommended listening for sure. - BL Back to Contents Various Artists "Depravity in Zero Gravity" Western Star Records So, you like songs about Outer Space? Well, here is a compilation filled with songs about “Barberella”, “Invaders From Mars”, and “The Purple People Eaters”. All the tracks are of the rockabilly/surf persuasion and range from downright hilarious like “I Saw Something Moving On Uranus” by Popeye’s Dik to songs of a lost dog “Body Snatchers Got My Dog” by Dawg House. Bands like Frenzy, Howlin Wilson, Kill Van Helsing, and Shock Therapy contribute songs to this 20 track disc of far out, silver-suited music – a delightful accompaniment to tracking & abducting, administering anal probes, and other extra-terrestrial exploits. You will seriously like this, even if the anal probe idea doesn’t make you sweat with excitement. -Lisa Back to Contents The Briggs "Numbers" Disaster Records This band plays high energy punk rock that is filled with catchy hooks and fists in the air choruses. I would say there is a lot of Rancid and Al Barr era Dropkick Murphys influence, especially vocally, but there is also a hint of Pressure Point thrown in (like on the crushing “Head Shrink, Dead Shrink”). Most often they have a really good barroom feel, but wane a little darker on the impressive “Dead Men (Don’t Tell Tales).” The last song is an acoustic sing-along number that loops back into the beginning of the album. The CD was produced by Duane Peters, and is dedicated the inspiration and memory of Joe Strummer. Not a disappointing tribute. - BL Back to Contents Beerzone "British Streetpunk" Captain Oi Records In 1997 a few friends decided to start Beerzone to kick start the music scene in their hometown. What they ended up kickstarting was their own career as a notable punk band. You can’t go wrong with this band as they play great together, sound kick ass and have a lot of fun doing what they do. Beerzone is a light-hearted punk band, not tied down with politics or anger like a lot of bands in the genre. It’s refreshing to hear tunes like “Viagra”, “Saturday Night Beaver”, “Jerry Springer”, “Rubber Man” and “I’ve Got The Munchies”. You get treated to 16 tracks plus an additional 8 bonus tracks. Yay! -Lisa Back to Contents The Mutilators "Hot Rod Whore" Band's Site Review by Mikey the Thumb Southern California's The Mutilators were probably the single most mysterious and intriguing act T-BONE and I had come across years ago when we were first starting up Kill! Kill! Kill! Every once in a while we would come across a small blurb, a dead link to a long abandoned website or a short sound clip, but we could never find any real info on who they were or how we could get a hold of a record. The brief clips we were able to scrounge up online wrecked hard and left us with a severe case of blue ears! We had almost completely lost hope until recently when front man Johnny Anal initiated long-anticipated contact to promote the release of their debut, Hot Rod Whore. Hot Rod Whore features the grease-some threesome (Johnny A. up front on lead vox/guitar, John Freeze on upright and Don 'Othedead on skins) runnin' through 12 fast and wild hillbilly/punkabilly numbers guaranteed to melt yer hair AND yer girlfriend's heart all in one fell swoop - not that she was all that picky anyhow if she was wastin her time with a lowlife like you! These fella's do more with 3 chords than most bands playin hard rock covers of Johnny Cash songs and callin themselves "psychobilly" (you know who you are!) can do with an entire treble clef! Hot Rod Whore starts out with a supercharged cover of the seminal "Muleskinner Blues" and then gives the adrenaline treatment to some raw original rockabilly jumpers about skirt, rods and scum with titles like "Baby, Let's 666tynine", "Teenage Pussy", "No Cure" and the title track, "Hot Rod Whore", which even gets a separate western swing re-record fully outfitted with steel guitar and all to close things out. My personal favorite is "Gear Down Big Shifter", a sped up honky-tonker that don't quit, but there ain't a stinker on this platter period. If this is the first yer hearin about The Mutilators you got a leg up on me 'cause you can get yer fill right off with Hot Rod Whore! Check 'em out today! Back to Contents Manic Hispanic "Mijo Goes to Jr. College" BYO Records If you aren’t already familiar with this seven-piece from Orange County you better get acquainted! Manic Hispanic mix old school punk rock, with humor and even a dash of oldies doo wop to give you this disc of questionable moral character. Every song is a cover done by these hombres, and of course comes with their humorous slant. They do “Brand New Cadillac” (now Brand New Impala), “La Crusher”, and D.I.’s “Johnny’s Got a Problem” becomes “My Homeboy Is a Joto” Also included are covers of bands like the Misfits, NOFX, The Ramones, TSOL and more, all culturally transformed into their vernacular. Who can forget when “The I.N.S. Took My Novia Away”? These guys are muy bien, get their stuff! -Lisa Back to Contents The Exploding Hearts "Guitar Romantic" Dirtnap Records I like this band quite a bit. They are a solid mix of the Ramones, The Clash and oldies bubblegum. Sound strange? Maybe, but these guys pull it off with songs like “I’m a Pretender” which exhibits the corny yet peculiarly entertaining feel from the era of Paul Anka and Petula Clark. “Modern Kicks”, “I’m a Pretender”, “Sleeping Aides and Razorblades” and “Throwaway Style” are among my favorites. My only complaint is there are a mere ten tracks on this disc and it ends much too soon. -Lisa Back to Contents Fate 2 Hate "Iron Fist" Insurgence Records This is hardcore in the newer sense of the word, with the metal thrown in. Pretty heavy with screamed vocals and breakdowns. I am not a huge fan of this genre, but I guess it is okay if you’re into it. I don’t have a big frame of reference for this style, but I’d put them alongside Madball, Hatebreed, etc... The ch-ch-chugga-chugga guitars get a little stale for me - needs more bursts of intensity and speed to keep it from dragging along. - BL Back to Contents Fighting Chance "Thus Hope Fades" Insurgence Records Here you have an intense Oi band with an RAC kind of feel but completely opposite politics. They have a lot to say and do so with a lot of charisma and sincerity. The rhythm section is fantastic, the guitars are real hard and solid, and the vocals are low and gruff without sounding too strained. “Death Squad” was written about the College Of Americas which is a terrorist training camp that the US funds and is located in Georgia. While G.W. is fighting the War on Terrorism he openly supports this organization in his own country. “Trained in Georgia by the CIA taught to kill the weak and afraid/Spend fifty billion we’ll spend fifty more/ War on drugs? Hah! War on the poor”. They also have a whole quarter panel of the CD insert with nothing but a quote by Eugene Debs. While most of the disc has the same intensity throughout, the final cut (“Silence is Murder”) has a slower, reggae sound to it. They write songs about war, the lower class, drinking a few beers after work and hating Nazis. A good band to get you ignited. -Lisa Back to Contents Freddy & The Four-Gone Conclusions "Wigged Out Sounds" Get Hip Records Talk about authentic 60’s sounding Detroit garage rock! You would be hard pressed to find anyone who didn’t know any better and could tell you these guys aren’t playing on your local oldies radio station. That is a good thing people, as I am an expert on oldies, having listened to them all my life and thoroughly enjoying every minute. Ok, well maybe I didn’t enjoy all of it, like I don’t get into Peter, Paul and Mary and that crowd...I like the awesome oldies. Some of the best tracks are “Ball and Chain”, “Fell From Grace”, and “Shattered”. The band even managed to snag Del Shannon’s original keyboardist Max Crook to hammer out some notes on “Stand Up”. I love the feel of this CD, it’s very dirty and raw sounding. Get it or I won’t be your friend. -Lisa Back to Contents Discipline "Rejects of Society" Captain Oi Records Hailing from Holland this four piece Oi group has toured with the likes of The Business and Agnostic Front. The musicianship is noteworthy and the vocals are gruff, yet smooth. They sing the common theme among Oi bands with songs like “Death ‘r Glory”, “These Boots” and “Hooligan Heaven” while also covering “Prison Bound” and “Astro Zombies”. Not a bad band at all, but I think I am going through a phase where I am not into Oi music as much. Especially when they have the cliche song titles like “Union Worker”. But they are a pretty good band in the end. -Lisa Back to Contents The Meteors "Psychobilly" People Like You Records Rock out! This disc is awesome! Twelve tracks (plus a hidden one) that shed some light on this thing called Psychobilly that the kids like so darn much. “King Vlad” has an ancient, ethnic feel to it and yes, it is about Vlad the Impaler. “Fuck like a Beast Fight Like an Animal”is another primal tune with a dirty undertone to it which gives the chorus a creepy pervertedness that I like! “Bloodbeat” is a surf instrumental which really hooked me. “Papa Jupe” is a southern, voodoo song with a tribal beat that will have you looking over your shoulder for the hungry cannibalistic family that is chasing you down the hill. It seems there are a lot of surf and tribal influences on this CD, which adds a cool slant to “traditional” psychobilly like The Meteors. I like this album a lot and I urge you to get your grubby hands on this as soon as you can. –Lisa Marie Back to Contents Mad Sin "Survival of the Sickest" People Like You Records Mad Sin has been around for a long while and one listen to this album and you will see why. Sixteen tracks of sick, mutanous, bloody music that will keep your head bobbin like the diseased little puppet you are. Not saying you would have to be controlled by some superior force to listen to this album, although it almost seems as though you are forced, listening despite efforts to walk away. The disc starts off with “Communication Breakdown” which features Nick 13 from Tiger Army on backup vocals. “Revenge” is a fast, furious psychobilly track which has fantastic bass slappin’ a la Holly who I heard has since left Mad Sin. While at some times I hear a bit of pop influence in the vocals, the music quickly counteracts any qualms I have like in “Conquer The World”. “Senseless Species”, “Class Warpath”, “Where The Wild Things Are” and “Delirium” are some of my favorite cuts. Pick this disc up, you are willed to by a force greater than your own mind. -Lisa Back to Contents Dirty Water Self-Titled Street Anthem Records Well, when the first song played I felt a definite Rancid feel. But then that feel faded away as the feel of the band went south, and I don’t mean into my underpants. I mean, the first track is really freaking good. Then it just kinda went... I don’t know, it lost it’s punch. Judge for yourself if you don’t believe me, I just can’t get into it. -Lisa Back to Contents The Cramps “Fiends of Dope Island” Vengeance Records I’m always excited when The Cramps put something new out cause that means they are going to be touring! I bought the new album at a small record store in Philadelphia during a recent trip there so I could get a good listen to it before I saw them live. It pains me to write this, but this album isn’t as good as most other Cramps albums. It still maintains the crunchy, garage rock sound that they are famous for and still is waaaay strange like all past records. It could be that so many of their other albums are just so great, that it’s hard to live up to those expectations. But don’t get me wrong, a Cramps album IS a Cramps album and is worth getting, I assure you. “Fissure of Rolando”, “Dopefiend Boogie”and “Wrong Way Ticket” are some of my favorite tracks. Most of the album stays true to the title theme of tribal, dark jungle sounds including primitive drum beats and hypnotic bass grooves. A good album, but not their best. You still owe it to yourself to get it though. -Lisa Back to Contents Kill Van Helsing “Alien Hotrod” Western Star Productions The disappointing thing about this CD is that it ends. This band take 60’s surf and garage, mixes in some rockabilly and B-movie weirdness, then grinds it out in true decadent rock’n’roll fashion. The production is done perfectly – opting to keep an unpolished, raw sound that cuts you to the bone. You get six studio songs, and 4 live cuts that aren’t just filler. They include gritty covers of “Baby Please Don’t Go” and “Long Blonde Hair”. I will be eagerly looking for anything else by this UK band – they jive well with my demented sensibilities. Very cool. – BL Back to Contents Very Ape "Kosher Boogie" Alive Records These guys remind me a little of Kiss (ick!), while their hard rock is played a hair better. Drags, bores, and gets worse with the ballad “Falling Away.” I can’t get through it all: no suspense, no fun, no reason to go on. - BL Back to Contents Discipline "Saints and Sinners" LP Knock Out Records This is a limited pressing on white vinyl and comes with sticker and a poster. What is the real value, however, is the music. Any fans of Oi or street punk will understand why this is one of the leading bands in Holland and all of Europe these days. You get great sing-along anthems to punch the air to, some stomping hard numbers, and lots of hooks that snag and yank you out of the dull waters of genre mediocrity. Vocals are low and abrasive, but still sung, and the guitar melodies resonate with a street-level rock’n’roll. Vinyl junkies, order one before their gone. - BL Back to Contents The Tribal Bops "Play or Sing With The Tribal Bops" Rockhouse Records These four cats from Italy really know how to get me all excited...and they can play really well too! Seriously, I have been listening to this disc a lot lately because it is just so damned luscious. There are 14 tracks of traditional rockabilly that sound fresh and sweet like a delicious cinnamon roll served to you first thing in the morning by a beautiful Burmese maiden. Some of my most favorite tracks are “N-Nervous Guy”, “I Got The Rhythm”, “Blue Mamboo” and a great version of “Jezebel”. If you are any kind of fan of rockabilly you will get this CD by any means possible. -Lisa Back to Contents The Seizures "First Strike" 7" Street Cred, PO Box 94, Belmont, 3216, Vic, Australia - street_cred@hotmail.com Available thru: Swamp Room & Raucous Records 3 songs on this 7” including the sinister prowl of the garagy “Fire, Fire,” the gritty tobacco-stained trashabilly of the title track, and the surfy rock’n’roll madness of “Break My Bones.” For my money, this is a great band with a sound that’s not cliche and played-out. This limited pressing of 500 emits the kind of fumes that make you brain bubble with pleasure. – BL Back to Contents Agnostic Front / Discipline “Working Class Heroes” Split Double LP Knock Out Records Full high-quality live sets by both bands, each kicking with a fury and intensity. When live records are at their best, the bands come across with the electricity and excitement that often exceeds their studio work. Such is the case here. Just plain good Oi and hardcore in all its crushing, undiluted glory. - BL Back to Contents The Spectors “Cockfights and Cakefights 1992-1996” Get Hip Records These guys boast that they’d had 10 members through 7 different lineups and just about everyone has played one instrument or the other. Still they have maintained a pretty consistent style of music. Even though this band played during the early 90’s, you could be convinced they were from the mid-sixties easily. They have a very Brit rock sound and at times the singer sounds remarkable like Mick Jagger. At other times, the band sounds like a Who cover group. I like this disc and there are 21 tracks to keep your foot tapping to. Decent stuff. –Lisa Back to Contents The Riffs "Death or Glory" TKO Records Heh, the last track on this disc is a country ballad. Weird because this is a 70’s sounding punk rock band that usually sounds influenced by the Ramones, Dead Boys, Johnny Thunders, and so on. Pretty darn cool if you ask me, and I should know since I am an ambassador of cool sent to Earth from Planet Slick and here to help you make your musical selections. Anyways, if the Ramones wailed on guitar...then the Riffs would sound more like them ‘cause the guitars on here rock! Although one guy on the cover looks like CC DeVille the rest of the crew look just like they came out of 70’s punk, but I assure you, they are not mere posers, looking the part for kicks. You wouldn’t know these guys weren’t vintage if I didn’t tell you, very authentic sound. On Planet Slick, we play the Riffs all the time while fornicating on crusty beer-soaked couches. –Lisa Back to Contents The Band from Planet X “Wigs for Sale” Band's Site Here is a nice four piece garage-pop band from Canada that has been creeping around since 1995. They have organ playing mixed in with spaced out, surf rock that would come from one’s garage in the mid sixties. I like these songs, especially “Whistle of the Shadmuck”, “My Girl, Formaldehydie”, and “Lewis Gore”. Although some of the stuff is a little on the pop side, I still will listen to this. -Lisa Back to Contents Up To Vegas “Voodoo Truckin'” Crazy Love Records This album features Tex Morton (guitarist from Mad Sin) on three tracks of their dark psycho rock’n’roll. Not much ‘billy influence (although they have an upright), yet lots of great Motorhead and punk influence (including a decent cover of “Winnebago Warrior” by Dead Kennedys). While several tracks aren’t bad at all, in many parts I’m just not feelin’ it as much as I want to. I think it needs a pinch more speed, or perhaps more lead guitar riffs. Also, the vocalist can’t decide whether to go with a Demented Are Go growl or make his voice roll up and down in a way that somehow puts me off. What I do like is the creepy, dirty feel to this disc, and tracks like “Johnny Gone Bad Pt. 2,” “Showdown,” “Pimples & Braces,” and “Love Addict” are where they shine best. Plus, with each listen this grows on me a little more, making me think it might be an acquired taste. They seem to be genuinely good guys from the e-mails I received, making me wish I liked this more, but I’d say it’s pretty decent not life-changing. - BL Back to Contents Local H “The No Fun EP” Thick Records This a two piece rock band that features a drummer and guitarist/vocalist who have a raw Seattle grunge feel. They claim to have been around for 15 years and have had gold albums...but I have never heard of them till now, but I find them pretty decent. “Cooler Heads” sounds a lot like Nirvana and I have always sided with the Nirvana sound instead of the Pearl Jam shit. They do cover a Ramones tune, “I Just Want Something To Do” and do it very well. I like this disc, but I really feel this is a ‘must see live band to appreciate’ kind of thing. -Lisa Back to Contents The Mofos “Supercharged on Alcohol” Hell Beach Records This three piece surf band from Ithaca, NY cranks out some monster surf with big, dirty guitars and sinister basslines. They bring to mind Man Or Astroman?, but they also deliver something on par with newer bands like The Honkeys from St. Louis (minus the organ). The sound is a thick and powerful “instro-metal,” but they have a range of speeds and atmospheres, keeping the album from becoming monotonous. What’s more is they do this without changing guitar tones or adding other musicians. It is just pure, un-dilluted surf rock’n’roll that makes your foot go heavy on the accelerator, or alternately creep through the alleys like a stalking predator. I’ve already spun this disc many times, and each time it rolls out the gold. - BL Back to Contents El Sob “Welcome to El Sob” Abominable Records 5637 Circle Dr. El Sobrante, CA 94803 Ok, imagine Michael Stipe singing even worse backed by an ok bassist and drummer and you have this band. I am not into this at all, period. This would go over well in a hippy section of San Francisco, but not in my living room. -Lisa Back to Contents Throw Rag "Desert Shores" BYO Records How to describe these guys? It is definitely punk rock, with vocals that have some Johnny Rotten feel, peppered with a little Iggy Pop, Gun Club zing. They also do a cover of the rockabilly classic “Please Don’t Touch,” have a slithering, venomous song with a washboard solo, and throw some garagy influence in the mix. Just pure gritty and wild punk that relies on booze-laden hooks and charisma rather than a quick three chord redundancy. Don’t get me wrong, though, this shit will definitely knock the wind out of you. It has that quality of anything-goes punk rock and will have you a sweaty convulsive mess by the end. I stand as a testament to their appeal, as I am now a true believer. – BL Back to Contents Lousy “The Babylon District” Knock Out Records This CD starts out with a flurry of energy on their theme song. A lot of the following songs don’t retain that level, despite being played with enthusiasm, they just get a little slow in places and repetitious. The vocals are low and extremely forced, which for me wears thin after a while. I am just not feeling this. They are going for an oppressive, heavy Oi! sound, which I often like, but I have trouble finding a foothold on this album. That said, songs like “Somersaults” and “One of the Ugly” are pretty crushing tunes. I think I would like them better on a compilation. This is just okay, but not destined for a reprise in my player. – BL Back to Contents The Amazombies “Bitches & Stitches” Go-Kart Records If you don’t think this band is fucking amazing don’t ever talk to me because obviously you have the smarts of a rotten tomato. This band is a mix of old punk and street rock with great rhythm and vocals. The most obvious thing about this band should be the kick ass melodies and song writing, but you just can’t get over the fact that there are two girls in this 3 piece that add a bit of intrigue. And they are not just novelty cutie pies prancing around on stage, they are smart, hard working musicians that give this band an extra edge. Kim plays guitar and sings, Noriko pounds out bass and Josh beats the skins and sings on a track. They hail from Seattle and prove there’s a lot better shit coming from there than Pearl Jam. Some of the best tracks are “Hell”, “Lost Girl”, “You Know” and a splitting cover of “Riot In Cell Block #9”. While some people have called these guys “pop” I don’t feel that at all. Get this disc, I promise you will love it or I will live forever in a pit of slime that is my soul. -Lisa Back to Contents Willie Heath Neal & The Damned Old Opry “Unknown” Cargo Music Willie doesn’t play the kind of country that will get the yuppie’s fingers snappin’ in their SUVs en route to their generic condos on a plot of developed farmland. He’s not a country boy poser who dates celebrities and sells posters of himself in a cowboy hat to be pinned on the bedroom walls of teenage girls. Instead, you’ll find honky tonk mixed with a lot of 70’s country sounds - more appropriate listening for truckers on the long interstate haul. I hear a lot of Waylon Jennings influence, especially on “The Damsel,” which sounds lot like “Good Hearted Woman.” He has a great voice for this style, being of a lower register rather than nasal in the Hank Sr. kind of way. However, “Willie’s Rant” does harken back to that honky tonk sound which I love most of all, complete with a lower production value as well as that eternal twang and beat. The title track is another fantastic cut, with an eerie, haunting feel as it slowly prowls along that dark highway. Some of the songs don’t work their way into my blood as much as others, but still this is a commendable release. - BL Back to Contents Francine "Level 8" Bluelight Records, bluelight.records@co.inet.fi This trio from Finland is pretty darn cool. They have been described as ‘the rockabilly of the 90’s’, ‘hardbilly’, and ‘powerbilly’ but they describe themselves as ‘simply rock’n’roll’. These guys have been around for well over ten years and it shows in their playing that they really enjoy rockin’ out. While these fellas have an upright on some songs, calling them anything ‘billy’ would be incorrect because they are really just a mod-ish rock. There’s 12 songs, which range from funk to blues to jazz and a lot in between, including Blondie! Yea, that’s right they do a really unique cover of “Call Me”. I guess earlier in their career they had a hit when they covered Cindy Lauper’s “She Bop”. These guys are cool. -Lisa Back to Contents Riot Squad “Another Heartbreak EP” Street Anthem Records Ok, how many bands out there are named ‘Riot Squad’? Who knows?! But this particular ‘Riot Squad’ hails from Belgium and is a quintet that also has a gal on guitar and shared vocals. Now this is just a little 6 song EP, but I can definitely get a Rancid/Social Distortion vibe from this crew. They have a little clip from “Grease” as an intro to one of their harder songs, “Rock’n’Roll’s In Town”, which I found funny. Not bad, but not something I’d put in regularly. Seems a bit stale at times. –Lisa Back to Contents Chicken Mchead “Squawk!” Band's Site Named after the true story of a lady who bought some wings at McDonald’s and received a deep-fried poultry head, Chicken McHead themselves serve up something unexpected and disturbingly cool. Trying to describe this will cause premature aging as you furrow your brow in frustration. Trust me, twenty minutes ago I was a vital fresh-faced 18 year old determined to make my way in the world. Then I started thinking, “what’s this Chicken McHead band all about??” Now I am 28, puffy and wrinkled, still perplexed by this conundrum that has ravaged my recently departed youth like a highway brigand stealing innocence from a noble lady. This shit is weird. Very damn weird... but in a good, refreshing way. If I were a lab rat I’d keep hitting the button that played this. Elements of punk, garage, blues, Dead Kennedys, and schizophrenia all converge into a glowing circus of lunacy and humor. They have mangy guitars and a keyboard that changes from a 60’s Doors type thing, to a Bear Creek Holy Scripture Tabernacle church type thing, to an 80’s drug-addled new wave lo-fi carnival kind of sound. Then they also sax, trumpet and theremin in many places. I really think that one day these guys will lead the animal kingdom in a coup d'état that will force us all into labor camps while they sit back in faux leather office chairs, smoking fat cigars and laugh, laugh, laughing. - BL Back to Contents Various Artists “Motormadness Vol. 2” 10” Hell On Wheels, hellonwheels66@hotmail.com Six songs skid across this vinyl and smash into your eardrums like a racetrack pile-up. Good stuff here, starting with Cleveland’s own Lords of the Highway doing “72 Chevy Malibu,” which somehow has just a little more grit when spinning on the turntable as opposed to CD. For some reason, I almost always think albums sound better than CDs, but then you can’t take them in your car, store them in hot places, duplicate them easily, or walk heavily in the room while they play. I guess it’s give and take. Anyway, next is Mr. Garcia, a one man band from Spain dishing out some great garage punk, followed by Bernd Hövelmeyer from Germany who takes the lo-fi maybe a tad too low with his muffled vocals. Still, I think it grows on you. The B-side starts off with Sloggy from Luxemborg who throw a touch of New Wave seasoning onto their female-fronted garage punk entrée. Speedway 69 give up more of the goods with their stoner trash rock, followed by Mikowelle – a strange one-man surf guitar and electronics band. Very cool. Overall, this comp’s not a bad slab of rock‘n‘roll. Most of the bands used a drum machine, which is probably the simplest way of dealing with some of the odd personality traits that come with drumming skills. And why do all the really good drummers like Rush anyway? All the good guitarists don’t like Van Halen. It’s a damned mystery. – BL Back to Contents

Review Index: Go Further Back In Time

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