| SNOTTYNESS... Punk Rock Classic - World Contender - Worth A Listen - Average - Plastic - No Future |
| MERE DEAD MEN 'United We Stand' (HSI25) CD 2001 Been a long 3 year wait for this, Mere Dead Men's 3rd and I think best album. That old saying "a good wine matures with age" springs to mind. But it's rarely true in punk bands today. Cuz thankfully that can't be said of Liverpool's M.D.M.. They're one punk band who with the lapse of time just seem to get better and better. This 17 tracker boasts punk rock in the truest form. It's got a wide variety of styles imaginatively imprinted onto this stylish album. Lots of diversity mean lots of passion with M.D.M.. After all It's their calling card. And delivered with Mandy's extensive and powerful vocal range it's a hit. Check out the committed and proud 'Own Worst Enemy'. Next up is the atmospheric drum led 'Centre Of Attention' that has the kind of "matter of fact" feeling of early Penetration. It's introduced with a bass driven rhythm track that runs through your head like a madman. And it owns probably the best guitar breaks on the album. They lure us to the grand finale chorus. Great track and one of my favourites. If you want some rapid in your face punk numbers, they're here too. M.D.M. can flip their coin with ease via songs like ultra angry 'F + M' and 'Kill The Trash'. They also have a wicked sensa yuma that's on show via the quirky local boozer tribute 'Peter Brown'. Another track was the intriguing 'Soap Opera Queen'. Strange one this with the telephone line vocals that remind me of the Buggles 'Video Killed The Radio Star'? Back down to earth with '1984' that points out with loving tenderness the stupid and sometimes hilarious comments ex-punks seem to spout. Especially when you bump into em in the pub. Conclusion; Ex-punks make disastrous role models! I've always liked the way M.D.M. can create songs that deal with life on the street or day to day without going through the same punk by numbers approach. M.D.M. are proud punks!!! And so they should be, they've been doing it long enough. So it was good to see one of their old stage favourites 'Destiny' getting a 21st century makeover. And Mandy's son, Connor makes his recording debut by doing the intro. 'Clouded View' gives us the more personnel touch. It's a view of broken relationships. But don't fret dear punk cuz this is a real perspective, which makes a change from the poppy punkers who always seem to get it so wrong! Suitably listed as track 13, 'Friday' is fast becoming my most favoured M.D.M. song of their modern set. And is a rumbling celebration of the weekend escape. Which is sadly fast becoming another thing of the past. Great lyrics, addictive arrangements. Good supporting backing vocals too supplied by Rob the guitarist that have an X feel to em!!! 'Tittle Tattle' spotlights inter band rivalries and gives em a bitter revoke. Mandy's vocals are still the best weapon M.D.M. deploy coz she's actually singing em...shock horror!!! This album is a good testament on how the band have risen from the ashes. Hard to think that this is the band who nearly went down the plug not so long ago. They end with a send up 'rap' all about the UK's ex- international punk playboy Lazza Ogden WHO???. Only regret was another notch of power in the guitar mix, but that's a minor point. Comes with a slick booklet that contains all the lyrics and info on the band. WORLD CONTENDER High Society International or check out their site at MERE DEAD MEN |
| SEEIN RED/HUMAN ALERT (mass20017) Split 45 2001 This is an unusual 45 featuring two of Hollands highly rated punk outfits by Brezhnev themselves. So not well known outside their native country I suspect but a good taster of whats going on on the streets. Human Alert do it in English and Seein Red go Dutch. The Dutch side has humour and comedy soundbites added to each track. Which I must say goes over my head, as I ain't gotta clue what the cracks are? But you can tell it's something amusing. And the songs about punk, bikes, fascists and other stuff? are delivered in a no messing fast blitzing hardcore pace. Seein Red seem to be playing as though their lives depended on it!!! A novel idea as you get both bands playing their own takes on each others songs. So maybe gives it a strange twist too. Gotta say I prefer the Human Alert sound given a choice. It's got a geat beefy rough guitar sound that's by far the bands biggest weapon. And especially on 'PC Not' which brings to mind a sort of a cross between early Black Flag/ Posers sound. The songs are more diverse too, which makes em more addictive. Especially the lead breaks on the anthemic 'C Red'. But actually these are Seein Red songs!!! So who really knows? Well my final conclusion in this mixed up review is Seein Red songs with a Human Alert sound is a great thing to hear. So each band has it's merits. Comes in good foldout sleeve with lyrics and band info. WORTH A LISTEN Mad Skull Records |
| VARIOUS 'Hyped To Death #12' CD Summer 2001 Another series of long forgotten low profile US/Canadian punk bands beginning with the letters 'T- U'. I gotta admit this collection didn't capture my imagination quite so much as the previous 'Bad Teeth' CD. Maybe Chuck was dredging the punk canals for suitable tracks on this session? He still managed to drag out a few short lived punk gems amongst the murkier depths though. Tracks get the ball rolling with a great Ramones inspired riff on their '77 call to arms 'Bombs Away', but was spoiled badly by a crooning asshole. Toxic Reasons give us their by now familiar and highly underrated debut 45 'War Hero' from 1980. A great mini US anthem that has been covered far and wide by bands, including the brilliant Anti-Flag. Tools from San Francisco were pretty laboured but really picked up on their third attempt with 'Asexuality' which give em a big boost. Smart atmospheric guitar work trades with a strong platonic chorus. Thundertrain from Boston are more rock 'n' roller than punk. They would've gone down well on an R 'N' B compilation. The Marc Thor Band is another Boston combo who trod the pub rock scene, or is that the bar rock scene in the States? They do have a sort of Richard Hell quirkiness about em on 'Love Sucks'. But bands with pianos in their sound are always very iffy if they ain't used with suss. Tot Rocket And The Twins sound like yer average faceless new wave band, and considering they get 3 tracks compared to say US Chaos who only get one...beggars belief? However their last track '24 Hour Protection' saved em a major red face. Truth from Detroit were 'Doin Nothing' but were followed by another Detroit combo who were actually doing something and were one of this albums highlights. Namely The 27 and 'Catastrophe' from 1978 which also boasted keyboards (shock horror!). But these oddly named sci-fi punks manage to add some real new wave to the CD with their catchy, distorted blasts backed by a lively rhythm section. The brilliantly named Tru Fax And The Insaniax present us their sarcy 1980's 'Washington' anthem. Boasting treble guitars and the great robotic vocals supplied Libby Hatch, was always gonna get em noticed. Justin Trouble supplies a co-written/Johnny Thunders/co-produced song called 'No Love'. It's hard to imagine Mr Thunders being anywhere near this record, as it lacks power and sleaze. Maybe he was out scoring smak at the time of the mix? Snottiest track of the bunch was supplied by the attitude filled Tracers and their semi rapping 'Too Hot To Handle' all the way outta New York City. The Tyros from California are an early Talking Heads circa 'Psycho Killer' band of angst. Their anti-idol song 'Parasites' was recorded in 1979 before they disappeared into obscurity. U-Boats from Tampa give us two basic punk blasts with fuzzy guitars and echoing vocals on their best track 'American Employed'. More male snot this time from Frisco's Urban Assault which typified the American punk sound for me in 1982. I loved their simple cry of defiance on 'Product Of Society' great stuff. Boston's Unnatural Axe has a truly original vocalist in Richie Parsons. His piss weak delivery added something different. And whatever he was lacking in hardcore punk growls the band made up for in some good Buzzcocks inspired one note leads. In true contrast Unruled come out to play with a 1984 inspired Discharge romp entitled 'Time Is Running Out'. Followed closely by Illinois's Urbn DK and their plodding drum sodden 1982 effort called 'Mass Grave'. They made this antiwar statement before turning into street metal merchants. Tyrants from Wisconsin sound the spit of Northern Ireland's Outcasts. They displayed some great clean vocals and a jolly good song in 'Attitude'. One of my newly discovered American favourites are up next and it's US Chaos from New Jersey. A band I just can't understand why they never were up there with the bigger guns? They give us their nihilistic 'Don't Wanna Live' from 1984, complete with deadpan vocals and a mid-paced ballsy guitar riff. More spirited big Apple components comes in the shape of early 80's punks The Undead. They're more direct but equally as snotty with 'My Kinda Town'. Ugly from Toronto were too laid back for my liking, good name though. We close the 28 tracks with a by now familiar off the wall track, this time supplied by That Hideous Strength. The song 'Steaming locomotive' includes a hideous laugh, howls and is propelled along by a generic mid-paced trumpet roll call. This band of New Yorkers has more personalities than a possessed Linda Blair! These comps are proving to be a great resource for long lost punk bands if your that way inclined, plus the usual in-depth sleeve notes to accompany it definitely WORTH A LISTEN www.hyped2death.com |
| BLOODY SODS '4 Years Of Blood, Sweat & Beer' (mad2001cd) CD Jan 2001 A mammoth 37 tracks here covering the Bloody Sods hot, sweaty recording career from 1996-99. After hearing their later output I wasn't looking forward to this at all. And I'm afraid '4 Years Of Blood Sweat & Beer' ain't gonna change my mind! I like this band in small doses...very small doses like the 'Hate Of Mind' 45! So 37 tracks of predicable streetpunk/oi! with a heavy dose of hardcore is a fucking tall order. Hey Oeb did you send me this as punishment for missing their gig in Brum or wot? I gotta say the music at least is a lot more punk rock this time around. It's in a more early 80's vein than their present hardcore sound. And believe me that is a relief! Coz the Bloody Sods as well as being in the running for the ugliest band in the universe slot (tee hee). Also own a couple of those fucking detestable Jack Russell dual vocalist soundalikes. But even those pair can't drag this one down to the depths their last album plummeted too. But only just!!! Highlights had to be some of the diverse covers they maimed along the way. The Circle Jerks 'Murder The Disturbed' was just very pedestrian, but Clint Black's 'Killing Time' was a good 'un. Out of their own tunes, they did manage to conjure up a decent bit of interest via 'State Of The Union'. Which kicked off with a great big beefy riff. I thought hey at long last we're getting there, but again those boring fucking vocals fuck things up good 'n' proper! Still without a shadow of doubt their best track on display was their rendition of the Anti Nowhere League's 'For You' . Which is a good song no matter who does it. They then give us their version of the catchy punk/oi! anthem '4Q' by Blitz. Which miraculously escapes a butchering. But it comes to something in this day and age when a punk band can release a 37 track CD and the best tracks on here are the covers!!!!!!! Does that tell you something boys? Take no fucking prisoners and sack the singers before they drag you further down the pit of oblivion. Great cartoon back cover but it reminds me of where this band are destined! AVERAGE Mad Skull Records |
| POSITIVELY NEGATIVE 'Killing Spree' (mad20019) 45 January 2001 Now this is more like it, from the band with the clever name. I wonder why bands of this ilk powerful hardcore, are great in short fast blasts and become a labour to listen to on full length albums? Well the punk jury are still out on that? So whatever your tastes, this 4-track 7" EP by Positively Negative is a great introduction to the band. Especially if you don't know em already. For a start It's comes in the thickest most colourful slab of vinyl I've seen since the late 1970's boom. In fact it's such a good looking picture disc it's a shame not to hang it up on the wall. Full marks to Madskull here. And besides the look, Positively Negative play blitzing punk rock with angst filled vocals all about death and murder. Not that you can tell from the lyrics. But you don't need the lyrics if the tunes can keep it interesting. The title track 'Killing Spree' has a distinct old Threats (Scotland) feel about it. Especially in those vocals. And is backed up by enough guitar work to kick sand in the face of their comptemporaries. I particularly liked the air raid siren track 'Emergency America' . Which feeds us a full on venomous dose of American paranoia. The flip side keeps up the momentum with 'Compliance' with it's distinctive buzzsaw riffs. Even the obligatory gang chorus was fitting. They lapse slightly towards the end on 'I Hate'. Which had way too many stop/starts that seriously damaged the EP's momentum. But 3 outta 4 ain't bad. This is a 300 limited edition, so a definite collectors item on E-bay in a few years time I bet?....but not this copy! WORTH A LISTEN Mad Skull Records |
| AFFRAY 'Westernize, Customise, Bastardize' Demo Tape 2001 Good to see a new young punk band coming out in the UK and Affray have been together 12 months. The cover tells you straight away this is gonna be Anarcho incorporated with the Crass style sleeve design and sentiments, but the music ain't. It's pretty fast uncompromising early 80's punk, with duel vocals. In fact the lead singer Larrraaa has that high pitched, sheering Dirt tone, down to a tee! And just like Piglet Warrior, her high-pitched shrill can get pretty fucking annoying unless you spend your spare time in a large bird Avery! She's supported in the vocal department by the brilliantly named Bassist Gary Violent. Mr Violent gives us the lower guttural pissed off growls every now and then just to give the listeners some variation I spose. Variation is pretty sparse on the ground in the Affray camp, but they're a new band so maybe there's plenty of ideas still growing. Their best song has gotta be 'Jesus Sucks' which starts off slow and rumbles into an all out attack on Religion. The rest of the 5 tracks cover pretty much the same ground musically with scathing attacks on designer babies, western civilization, dead-end jobs and fox hunting. There's also a 6 track rehearsal tape added on the end which gives you even more Affray but this time in relative low-fi mode plus a couple of covers of the Epileptics 'Tube Disasters' and T.B.A.C.'s 'Get That Tit Off Your Head'. Maybe they need more time, so don't write em off yet but this debut was pretty AVERAGE AFFRAY |
| THE CLASS ASSASSINS Promo CD These are a new Toronto band to my ears and are highly rated by Dick Vein from Soap And Spikes fame, who is gonna be releasing a 45 by em soon so he sent me this 6-track taster. The Class Assassins sound a pretty adapt bunch of streetpunks. Lots of Dropkick Murphy's styled influences on here, but without the power or impact. Some really well arranged songs do make their presence felt though. I just don't go all out for this kinda working class rebellion stance put to music! Y'know, the raising fists in anger at company bosses and such stuff. Maybe it's a Canadian thing? I'm a working class dolester so unions and bosses and this kinda punk stuff bores me. D.O.A. had a thing about it too, but that kinda stuff comes over as pretty shallow subject matter for a barfly like me. But hey the Class Assassins can play their instruments and they can knock a tune together so maybe I'm a bit fussy. Chad Nugents vocals sounds like another Canadian Ian Stuart (no kidding). Is this some kinda new retro fad creeping in the Canadian wastelands? Well the dead ringer vocals shows itself on songs like 'Uprise' which is nothing suspect lyrically, but that's the feel I get from his style of singing. There seems to be lacking some punch or spit to this band, I can't quite put my finger on it coz it's a top class production with some good riffs aired on songs like 'Breakout'. So they can produce the goods but it seems a bit too polished if you know what I mean? Whatever the case a good worthy introduction and I can see some label giving em a push somewhere in the scene. WORTH A LISTEN Soap And Spikes Records |
| THE PITS 'Advance Tracks' CD 2001 This is a 3-track sneak preview of the sort of sound due on the bands follow up to their highly rated self titled debut from last year. And The Pits from Sunderland are a band who can pull off melody and tunes without it sounding tame. Definitely a bunch of veteran punks who can play their instruments like masters. In fact too well sometimes? From the off I can tell they've matured. And from the chimeing first track intro I was beginning to think have they blown it. But they proved me wrong and 'Nauseaville' become the best of the three on show. It's up there with their best stuff from the previous debut. The Rottenesque vocals are in attendance but not quite so Rotten this time. I think Mr Pit Jr. is finding his own identity. Which has gotta be a must for a band trying it out on their own. The Pits are growing up. You can tell by their more adventurous and accomplished sound. This ain't a band who write 1 minutes blasts. These are a band who aim at anthems. And maybe they oughta give the short blasts a go too? Well not this time coz these songs are all well over the 3 minute mark. But they seem to pull it off. 'Marxman' is the most poppy of the bunch. It's got a good chorus but they're moving into a different domain from the snotty one they once walked in. And I ain't sure it's gonna last as long as songs like 'National Anthem'? Finally the new mammoth album title track...'The Face Of England'. Boasts a great bass solo that JJ Burnel would've been proud of. And the early Stranglers influence is a lot more dominant on this session, particularly the guitars. They've lost that Steve Jones sound which I thought gave em a bit more oomph. But it'll be interesting to see what the whole album sounds like when it hits the streets any time now. WORTH A LISTEN The Pits (now defunct) |
| THE STIFFS 'Stiffology 1981- 1988' (sjpcd062) CD January 2001 Another new compilation by The Stiffs. I was really looking forward to this, the next leg of the bands career, as I'm a big fan of their wall of sound punk power, circa 79/80. But I'm afraid 'Stiffology 1981-88' is an album of two half's. The first half was all mainly new stuff to me, with some smart un- released demo's making their worldwide debut. This is a band whose demo's are worthy of release in their own right. They've still got their power on tap although be it in a more refined manner with a far slicker production. And production is one of The Stiffs outright qualitys..guaranteed clear as fuck and punktual! The Stiffs have however gone to the Skids in 1981. By that, I mean they've adopted a more Celtic orientated guitar sound, and it's done very well indeed. Take songs like 'Standing Ovation' which is definitely the standout track of the set (and we get two versions to verify that fact). And the quirky sounding 'Over The Balcony' ,which was recorded for a Radio one session, and probably their most experimental of the period. We've still got the solid Phil Hendriks no messing vocals, that guide the songs through choppy waters, accompanied by tunes to brag about. So for about 8 tracks I'm happy as Larry. But by 1983 all this was gonna change. First off, a name change to Idol Rich and track 9, 'Peso Trail' with it's throwaway tinkling keyboard sound and soda pop arrangements. Yeah this was a stark warning of things to come! You can sniff the urgency has started to wain, and the power loses pace to a more commercial sound. Which is one important loss for a band of this calibre. The Stiffs had gone limp! And they weren't the only ones to fall victim to this disease, look at Lords Of The New Church etc. No matter what, as soon as the keyboards start to become a major part of their sound, they get lost in the empty sea of early 80's pop chart fads. I mean c'mon this ain't Dave Greenfield were talking about here, this is more like Howard Jones!!! Having said that 'Best Place In Town' and 'Standup' were exceptions to the rule. Sadly from here on in the album went completely downhill fast for me. The band went into their alter ego Idol Rich, Bono Twins and the glam rock period. Their sound became puny and lost it's aggression that gave em the edge on others. And If you read the fascinating sleeve notes (done by Dale Griffin) that accompany this CD, you can see the times they were a changing. And yeah although they tried to change with 'em, The Stiffs should've kept to what they do best, and that's bang out full on motors running punk rock songs, with that sting in it's tale. Maybe that path wasn't gonna put bread on the kitchen table, but at least it's honest. They even started recording stuff with wanker tribute artists, which is the kiss of death for any band. They do resurface with a slightly more anthemic sound on the rocky ballad of 1985's 'In Your World' which only hinted at past glories. The original Stiffs were the band for me and countless others, and I think Phil Hendriks leader and mainstay throughout all the bands lineups changes knows that more than anyone! AVERAGE THE STIFFS |
| VARIOUS 'Industrial Strength Records Compilation 2001' CD 2001 This is a 24 track compilation of 12 Industrial Strength Records bands who get a couple of tracks each to tempt us with. Can't say I'd heard most of these bands before so it's great to put a sound to the names. I think most of these originate from the Californian wing of the US scene. Rats come out the starting gate with well played but average punk. They do show some interesting touches on the second track 'Apocalypse' but didn't live up to their name. Oozies boast a rocky kinda vocalist. Which inevitably gives their songs a bit of a bland feel. But they get a bit better on 'Red White And Blue' which don't sound how it reads. Strychnine play more average stuff and sound pretty much the same on each track. The singer gets pretty excited on the former 'Liqueur And Poker' which showed signs of metallic operetta. Cell Block 5 (named after the ozzie dyke TV show?). I wouldn't be surprised! Give us a whole new take on punk with slidey acoustic guitars on 'Scooter Boy'. A song which was just too folky my liking although the lyrics were pretty skin orientated. They kick in with some amplification on 'Going To A Fight' but those clipped vocals sound too dumb to be taken seriously. First time I heard the Shitgivits and are the first band on here who seem to have the right attitude. These veteran punks have more than a passing interest with this label as their guitarist Todd Dammit is an Industrial Strength guru and plays in Oppressed Logic too!! Well they're a lot more melodic than I was expecting but with that snotty feel which I like. I thought 'Kaos Control' was their best number. They lose it a bit on 'Sour' but sound nothing like Oppressed Logic which was good to hear. Talk of the devil and Nihilism favourites Oppressed Logic are up next with two tracks from their highly rated 'It's Harassment' album with 'Void Of Society' and 'This Is Reality' both giving most of the other bands who preceded em a nod on how it should be done. But hey their Industrial Strength crown ain't totally safe as I'm the sure the explosive Glamour Pussy will have something to scream about that. Especially on the hilariously over the top 'I Won't Take It Up The Ass' which is so wildcat and obnoxious its a blast. An over the top bunch of punkettes if ever I heard any who are either a massive joke or could be real fun. Best band on here by a cats whiskler. We are then given some Shadows guitar play by Jumbo Shrimp! (Ex-Dead Kennedy's) Which is anything but a diverse inclusion on this comp. I love my instrumentals as well as the next punk. Gimme 'Down in The Sewer' , 'Handling The Big Jets' etc. and this had a kinda funny novelty feel to it. I'm beginning to sense this label has it's tongue firmly planted in it's cheek. East Bay Chasers bring us back on the more familiar punk track with some good tunes. And once you get used to the familiar sounding vocalist who has a Keith Morris (Circle Jerks) feel to his vocals. Especially on 'Your Generation' you get a pretty good idea where the band are heading. Another of this albums highlights. The Process are another bunch who give a good run for their money although the vocals let em down a bit and those "ohhhhaaaahhs" get to be a chore sometimes. Doomsday Device bring our first and only taste of hardcore thrash. Which like all the rest of this genre was boring for me. Although the atmospheric bell chiming inserts on 'Set In Stone' were good. Last but by no means least come Puzzlebox. Where do they get these names from? They sound English in vocals and their 'Motorhead' track is not a cover but a definite tribute to 'Lemme a fiver's' outfit. They sound ok but the vocals sounded too tame in places and lacked power. Their 'Albania' track blatantly nicks the riff from the Buzzcocks 'Walking Distance' . So definitely a band with a personality crisis. Comes in great cover with a lethal looking circular saw and was WORTH A LISTEN for the outstanding tracks alone. Industrial Strength Records (Defunt) |
| THE DERITA SISTERS 'V-Boy Riot! Live In Germany 2000' (Real George Records) CD 2001 The Derita Sisters (and Junior?...who seems to have got lost somewhere?) have found a second home in Germany. They are regarded by some there as folk heroes in certain parts after only one tour and still remain relatively obscure in LA. So it comes as no suprise that this 31 track LIVE souvenir CD was recorded on their last tour there in 2000. And like all live albums I'm afraid it's got the rough with the smooth. Including most of their unsavory classics and a quite a few news ones too. But alas live albums just ain't my thaaang! at all. Even when it's the Sisters in action!!! Obviously some of the songs just don't cut it live and unless you've got a few mobile sound recording studios parked in the back lot some of the tracks are a bit of a blur. Having said that though there's only a couple of live albums over the last 25 years of punk that I can safely say really captures a band in a truly live context without coming across as second rate versions of the recorded original. And one of them's gotta be Sham 69's 'Tell Us The Truth'. Anyway enough of this bollox and back to the Deritas, who are a totally different ball game and a definite fun band live by all accounts. 'V-Boy Riot' does have it's moments and kicks off with a humourous handful of intro segments from most of their tour....before moving into the short lived but brilliant 'Bitch Slap' . Which is a great short '77 inspired punk instrumental and proves they can play it live as well as on record. Taking the lions share of this 30 song set, was their most recently recorded output (they've made a staggering 13 records to date!!!). Ultra contagious numbers like 'The Scaffolder' sounding as fresh as on record with it's flanged guitar breaks hit the button. This live set also proved drunk o not they're a lot faster in the flesh. Take the blitzing 'Sawn Off Shotgun' or the unpatriotic 'Lynryd Skynyrd Has Risen From The Grave' for evidence. Other highlights were the tongue in cheek 'Given Time' and the quirky lookout....'Ant Farm'!!!! However this was all eclipsed by the hilarious (new one to me at least), and epic 'Freak in The Middle Town' which is another hit if only. But for every good track there's the so-so average track like 'Tomorrow Was Yesterday' to contend with. But the schoolboy humour of 'Billy Wank And Bobby Toss' wins em praise along side the hit single (snigger) 'Wino A Go Go' made it worth the effort. With no mention of the war whatsoever and after dragging their 'United States Of The World' rep around the brothels of Hamburg. The Sisters end up on their best crowd sing-a-long song to date, the waltzing 'Stop Me before I Fuck Again' that screams release me as a 45 now!!! This is bound to go down well in any bordello in any town. It was that good it gets aired twice. And on the second more rowdier version we sample some pissed up German Ramones fan giving it that extra bit of umpa. Tee hee he nearly steals the show!!! After all said and done this CD don't exactly add a new dimension to the bands anthology of tracks. Coz I for one was expecting way more inter-song banter. But for the fans who ain't seem em live yet (myself included) , it's a good momento into their live repertoire. It's ends with a sneak studio track called funnily enough 'V-Boy Riot' that has a really big influenced sound of their most recent collaboration with Mr Addict. AVERAGE Real George Records DERITA SISTERS AND JUNIOR |
| STILETTO BOYS 'Buzzbomb Sounds' (hsi24x) Promo CD March 2001 The latest 13 track taster from the band who are described in their press release as "catchier than a case of the clap in a Southeast Asian Whorehouse" ha ha ha! I like their promo style, but yet again those whiney little poppy vocals by Sean Wolf are just too good to be true for me. They camouflage this bands piss taking lyrics far too much. Maybe it's coz I was born with a shard of sulphur in my mouth instead of a piece of bubble gum, coz the only thing I caught from this was it's well played, sugarcoated new wave that don't exactly stand out in the crowd!!! However these Pennsylvanian punkers can still create some good tunes with squeaky clean but addictive guitar riffs soaring above the skies of our seedy punk pits. But constant pop melodies and attitude gets a bit stale for me after a while. Maybe if they had a couple of more rawer sounding tracks without 'the Who' styled backing vocals, I might've been tempted to play this more, alas that's not to be! The Buzzcocks comparisons are pretty true. So if that's yer bag they underline it with a very good cover of 'I don't Mind' by Manchester's bubble gum godfathers. I couldn't really see the Dickies influence?... although my favourite track 'Heaven Help Me' about your girl getting possessed by the devil, had some hilarious lyrics. And the overtly ironic 'Killing Me' is still one of their better numbers. They also do a rare cover of the Jam's 'Life From A Widow', which was an obscure surprise. It all comes with a great spot on production by Curt Cash, so the 9 months incubation period for this album has paid off on that score. I liked the opening Messerschmitt dive bombing intro and quality control was evident right through to their finale with their rawest number 'E=SB2' . The Stiletto Boys do the power pop '77 inspired style really good, pity it ain't got more grit! AVERAGE High Society International |
