Boogie Hammer-Piledriver

ALO Records
2018

Do you remember Boogie Hammer? God knows I do. Based in Veinna, Austria and lead by guitarist/vocalist D. "Süpürgesi" Vacuum (Genocide SS, The Accidents), this band rocked the living daylights out of my life with their 2017 demo, "First Blood"! That 6-song EP was the shit!! Admittedly I was a little late to the party (having just covered that bad mofo last month), but hot damn kids, here we are in February and what do you suppose ends up in my lap? If you said a new girlfriend then A) I thank you for the confidence you have in me and B) you are way off (as in really folks, who is going to date my old, ugly, and disabled butt?). Nah man, I am talking about a new Boogie Hammer release! That's right ladies and gentlemen. Just when I was having a bad day, Boogie Hammer struts on it and is like "BAM!", here's "Piledriver"! Mad thanks guys!! Due to drop at some point in the immediate future, this 7" EP is as much fun as you can have in this day and age without ending up in jail! This four-track EP falls somewhere between real punk (The Ramones!) and back alley (bad to the core) rock and roll. Like the old school wrestling finisher that it is named for, "Piledriver" picks you up and then drives you straight into the ground! Actually, this EP is more like a spiked-piledriver right onto the bad streets of rock and roll. Only instead of receiving a horrible injury, Boogie Hammer leaves you will a wide grin on your face and the feeling that you want to inject this guitar-heavy drug into your veins over and over again. Good music is supposed to do that to you. It's supposed to life you up out of your slump and make you not only feel something, but make you feel as if you are truly alive. Maybe for the first time in a long time. It's bands like Boogie Hammer that keep me going on when the feeling has left me. For that I am extremely grateful. In case it isn't obviously in closing, "Piledriver" comes highly recommended.

Straight Edge: A clear headed hardcore punk history by Tony Rettmann

Bazillion Points
2017

Straight edge is almost old as punk rock itself dating back to the early 80's when Minor Threat sang about being clean and sober. Over the years it became more a movement then merely a lyrical theme with bands in scenes from DC to California to Boston and of course New York taking up the call and spread the message. This book documents goes through the origins and how it grew over time. There are first hand accounts from members of Minor Threat, SS Decontrol, Youth of Today, DYS, Slapshot, Uniform Choice, 7 Seconds, Chain of Strength, No for an Answer, Insted, Gorilla Biscuits, and many more. In addition to the stories there are plenty of live photos and fliers to accompany them. Whether you grew up following the scene, got into later or where too young to have been around for the early years but want to know more, no matter the case this is a great presentation of a very strong and important part of the hardcore scene. I listened to and still listen to a number of these bands, but for me the best part of this book was  reading what it meant to the band members that were part of it. A very cool presentation and maybe not too late to still pick one up as a Christmas present for someone you know.

Free Music Monday: Nervous Jerk-Ditch Life

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Nervous Jerk are a New Zealand-based band with a couple of releases to it's name. The group's latest one, "Ditch Life", came out in late December of 2016 and it features 12 fucking fantastic slabs of garage-worthy punk with various sub-genres (pop punk, power pop,etc.) tossed in for good measure. Available as name-your-own-price download by clicking here, "Ditch Life" is snotty and a little bit ugly. In other words I absolutely LOVE it!

Doll Skin-In Your Face EP

EMP Label Group/Cargo Records
2015

Here's some free advice for all of you young people out there. Be sure to test the waters before you fully commit to that midnight swim. Case in point Doll Skin. I actually got this promo in my inbox a few days after I blindly downloaded it off of iTunes. I believed the hype surrounding it* and (like the idiot I am) hit "buy" without hearing a note. Had I actually listened to some sample cuts first I could have spared myself the trouble of filling up my music collection with more material that I will never listen to again. Further more had I simply waited a few days I could have saved myself some cash. It's not that band is terrible. It's just terribly over-hyped. This is merely a modern day take on punk rock that is supposed to be dangerous and rebellious. Instead it sounds like Avril Lavigne being told that she needs to sound more "metal". Simply put it's uninspiring and it makes me sad. Why sad? Well, take a minute or two to think of all of the really good punk and metal bands that you know who are unsigned. Now consider the fact that a band like this get's instantly scooped up. You see what I'm saying? I don't blame these young ladies obviously (especially seeing as what band wouldn't jump at the chance to have their EP produced by one of metal's true greats?), but I do blame an industry that couldn't see actual talent if it was standing a mere inches from it's face! Because frankly speaking folks the world needs another radio-friendly "punk" band like it needs another life destroying space meteorite!  




*Here's the short version of the story. This teenage four-piece band was "discovered" by Megadeth's David Ellefson. You would have thought by the way that he raved about them that they were the next big thing in quirky, fun-loving punk rock. In fact Dave was such a fan of Doll Skin that he even went so far as to produce this EP here. All of which goes to show that there is no accounting for taste. 

Motel Pools- Motel Pools

Suburban Rage
2015

Equal parts garage rock and punk, Motel Pools is a cool new musical project from California-native and long-time synth enthusiast, Chiara Angelicola (Bird Call). The very definition of a D.I.Y. recording, "Motel Pools" is the band's self-released debut and on this brand new 5-track EP we find band-founder/stand-out lead vocalist Chiara Angelicola working with the like of Kyp Malone (TV On The Radio) and Honus Honus (Man Man). In addition to Honus Honus and Kyp Malone (a multi-talented musician, all-around good guy and friend of our fearless front-woman who actually produced this wicked little EP!), "Motel Pools" features contributions from some of Chiara's other friend's in the form of Alex Balderston, Dan Kalisher, and Kiel Feher. All of which merely adds to the honest and sincere nature of these tracks as well as the familiar vibe that this wonderful EP gives off! And speaking of these tracks (or the stellar material responsible for this killer EP), "Motel Pools" was culled from demo recordings that were tracked in Chiara's Williamsburg living room. That was back in 2011(!) and after sitting in digital limbo for some years these misc.home recordings  were dragged (no doubt kicking and screaming along the way!) into the light. After receiving some extra help from her friends, Chiara Angelicola called the whole thing Motel Pools and the rest is history! Or is this actually the start of the story? Let's hope it's the latter as Motel Pools is one project that I would like to see grow into something full-time!!! On the group's self-titled release we're treated to gems like "Trixx", "You Can't Handle", and "Lemme Walk Your Dog". There's even a Butthole Surfers' cover in "Human Canonball"! That alone would be a selling point for me (especially as I share the band's appreciation for all things Gibby Haynes!!!!), but things start off on the right foot with "Monster Girlfriend" and there is actually a lot to love about this EP before that sweet cover choice wraps things up! For one thing there is "Trixx" and this rock gem is nothing short of beautifully tragic! Between Chiara's voice and the song's garage rock riffs this soulful number is second to none!! I love everything that the unhinged "You Can't Handle" has to offer and that includes the cool space sounds that are tacked on for optimal effects. Besides the obvious (TV On The Radio and the Butthole Surfers) influences on "Motel Pools" rage from The Breeders to X  and that only adds to this EP's appeal. I mean "Lemme Walk Your Dog" ends up sounding like a demented Cindy Lauper! How cool is that? All of which brings us to "Human Cannonball" and what a great cover it is! It's an absolutely fierce adaption of this psychedelically warped number and those extra special growls from Kyp are the stuff that punk rock dreams are made of! As a first offering this EP is damn near perfect and it would be a true shame if this was all that we were able to get from this project. Is it too much to hope that there is still a stockpile of home recordings just sitting there?

Uncle Sam-Heaven or Hollywood (Re-Release)

Minotauro Records
2014

Well folks now we're talking. Talk about a golden oldie! Leave it to our friends at Minotauro Records to dust off this classic LP and give it a proper re-release. It's been a long time coming if you ask me! Now, I'm sorry to disappoint folks, but I'm going to try to keep things PG 13 here with the cover. If you are older like I am and are in any way, shape or form a collector of all things hard rock and heavy metal then I am going to guess that you've heard of this band before. Or you are at least familiar with the cover artwork of this 1987 LP. This is one of the less risky versions although the bikini cover one is probably the safest bet. Otherwise I am sure that you can guess what's under that sticker! Yes, it's pretty scandalous all around. The thing is what of the actual music? By the name and album title you'd likely be guessing that this one is sleaze and or glam metal. Am I right? I know that was my guess way back in the day when I first came across an MP3 of "Heaven or Hollywood". And yet this one is all about rock. Underground/garage rock if you will with the result being one album that is closer to the New York Dolls or solo Johnny Thunders than it is the likes of  Poison, Ratt or Mötley Crüe. And man alive if it isn't just one of the most beautiful things out there! To be fair there is more then enough raw metal and punk on an album like this one to have universal appeal. There are shades of Motörhead, Kiss and even (early) Mötley Crüe. But in it's heart of hearts this band was all about rock. Imagine heading to a seedy bar in the worst part of town and hearing a band that pulled from the better parts of not only the New York Dolls and solo Johnny Thunders, but Iggy& the Stooges, Alice Cooper ( a HUGE influence on this four-piece!), the Cramps,  the Ramones and even the Godz. Imagine finding out over the course of the evening that this band knew as much about the Sex Pistols and the Dead Boys as they did AC/DC and Aerosmith. And to top it all off the blended all of that knowledge and all of these different influences into a glorious rock and roll racket! That is what we are talking about with Uncle Sam and their album "Heaven or Hollywood". As vocalist Scott Cesna took to the mic like a disillusioned rocker of old his bandmates trashed the joint with the kind of finesse usually reserved for the likes of the Stooges, MC5 or the Dead Boys. Theirs' was a take no prisoners, love 'em and leave 'em take on over the top garage rock and roll and Uncle Sam had to have known that they were living for the moment with the D.I.Y. "Heaven or Hollywood" a means to an end. As good as they are on this record they were reported every bit as good live and whether they were tearing the walls down with their own material or covering the likes of "Steppin' Stone" or "Train Kept A' Rollin" (both choice covers tacked on here as bonus numbers with Uncle Sam's take on "Train..." coming across like a cross between The Godz version and Motörheads!) Uncle Sam was always spot on! And thanks to this very cool (enhanced) re-release here you can relive all of that conflict and glory, the good times and bad times if you will, in the comfort of your own home! Served up as a mini-LP with gatefold Japanese style papersleeve packaging, custom OBI and a sweet poster this re-release offers a great look at this Rochester, New York-based band that was just too cool for the times. Having sadly released only one more album (1990's "Letters From London") the band Uncle Sam came and went before they could be fully appreciated for what they had to offer. That's a shame as Uncle Sam's take on sleazy garage rock was sweet on the taste buds and ahead of the times.


http://www.minotaurorecords.com/

Nick Oliveri's Uncontrollable-Leave Me Alone

Schnitzel Records
2014

Before we even start with "Leave Me Alone" let's go ahead and establish a quick point of reference just so that we can get it out all of the way. Bassist/guitarist/vocalist Nick Oliveri is primarily known for having spent time with Kyuss (and subsequently Kyuss Lives!), Mondo Generator and of course Queens of the Stone Age. He has also played with the Dwarves and Moistboyz. What's more it is making the rounds that Oliveri is collaborating with the likes of Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Gary Holt (Exodus) and Casey Chaos (Amen) on the soundtrack for the movie documentary "House Of Shock"! So, even if Nick Oliverri is mostly recognized for his contributions to the stoner rock scene this bassist/guitarist/vocalist has seen and done it all. Or at least musically-speaking. But, here's the thing about "Leave Me Alone". Cue the dramatic music because this is not the Nick Oliveri we've heard before and for those looking for past points of reference an album like this one shatters those expectations (along with rock and roll fundamentals!) into a million tiny pieces. In other words if you are expecting something along the lines of Queens of the Stone Age or Kyuss you are going to be disappointed. "Leave Me Alone" abandons those kind of principles. There is just no other way to put it then that. And other than a couple of guests (one of which is Motörhead's Phil Campbell!) "Leave Me Alone" finds Nick Oliveri working solo in order that he alone can take credit for the new direction he takes on his first solo release. It's true that he oft-times discomforting nature of  "Leave Me Alone" is unexpected as it definitely finds Nick Oliveri throwing all caution to the wind! By deconstructing (raw, striped-down and dive bar-worthy to begin with!) rock and hard rock and purging punk rock of what little purity it had left Nick Oliveri has certainly given fans and critics alike something new to talk about with this new release! At it's best "Leave Me Alone" is ramped-up post-rock/punk-rock cleverly disguised as noisy trash metal. And that works! At it's worse though it's an exercise in tolerance and patience where noise is just that-noise. Often times "Leave Me Alone" balances perilously close to that edge (a uneasy tipping point if you will) where one minute it's pure heavy rock/punk rock ecstasy and the next it's merely a bad acid trip waiting to happen. More so "Leave Me Alone" kind of carries itself as if it is a live album misdiagnosed as a studio recording. What happens to work great live (bare naked riffs, grungy bass lines and clunky drums) is a different animal all together behind the paddle walls of a recording studio. I suspect the bulk of what's been laid out on Nick's first solo album (the unedited moments where this vocalist/string-man just goes with the flow and improves punk rock and roll) would go over gangbusters in a live setting. Otherwise it is suspect to interpretation (ie: is this true, unfiltered and unspoiled post-rock art or is it much ado about nothing more then unrestrained noise?) more so then a statement one way or the another of whether or not is is good. Honestly I fall more of the side of "Leave Me Alone" as a good album with quite a lot to say, but there is a case to made that the "Uncontrollable" part of this project's title might be more than mere words....

Shaved Women-Just Death

Ektro Records
2014

When it comes to punk rock are you as disillusioned as I am? Are you tired of hearing all the hype about some great new punk band only to find out that they are about as punk rock as your crazy uncle Bernie? If so then let's sit down and talk about this four-year old, four-piece band. You see, there's "punk" and then there is St. Louis-based punk act Shaved Women. And when you've got promo material that boasts of the following "Giving maladjusted hope to aspiring psychopaths everywhere, this fat slab is full of tasty jams. The distorted, buzzsaw riffs make you want to carry around a knife, not a switchblade. The John-Bonham-meets-the-Incredible Hulk drums make you want you start a fight with a wall until you have less bones. The vocals drill into your head and convince you that the only way out is to slam through the ground, tearing all of your friends' designer blouses while failing through the wormhole. Simply put, this sounds like the tension of blood boiling after a car accident...if it was catchy." you find yourself hoping to GOD that it really is all it's cracked up to be. Or at least I was. And yes, from the get-go I knew I was onto something damn special! For once the promo material spelled it all out to a the letter of the punk rock law. This one is spot-on damn fucking cool and for Shaved Women (Ben-vox, Chris-guitar, John-bass and Tom-drums) "Just Death" is the right kind of full-length release to make the best possible impression while making you long ache for more! Like done to your bones ache my fellow punk rocking friends! With three EPs already to their name the nine-track "Just Earth" should reinforce the concept that punk rock is far from dead and rotting. If anything it's just living life as recklessly as it can in St. Louis, Missouri! And speaking of recklessness, which in this case is just the name game, let's just toss a couple out with the shared acknowledgement that when it comes to Shaved Women it is indeed all about rocking out to your own John-Bonham-meets-the-Incredible Hulk beat! Somewhere between Halo of Flies, Raw Power, Black Flag, D.O.A., S.N.F.U. and The Grim you'll likely find Shaved Women hanging out and downing a case or two of cheap beer as these four would be in good company! It's punk first, some rock licks second and the cherry on top is dirty garage metal. "Just Death" is "lean, mean and totally obscene" as well as loud, fast and a bit obnoxious. And God bless Ektro Records for releasing it! Are your taste buds tingling at all for this nine-track demolition derby? If so then try the group's bandcamp on for size while you wait for this hammer to drop.  

http://shavedwomen.bandcamp.com/ 

www.facebook.com/pages/Shaved-Women/317471271626588
www.ektrorecords.com
www.soundcloud.com/ektrorecords
www.facebook.com/ektrorecords

SODS Law-Rough Mix 3-Track Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Real and raw "we all bleed red" punk rock from Derby. Featuring  the vocal skills of Carl Lander with bass guitar performed by Luke Mcloughlin and guitars & drums (respectively) by the pair of Rich & James Burnett (Father and son perhaps? One would assume as much given the young looking drummer of this UK act!). Special thanks/shout-out to Stereo Killer for tipping me of to this free download (link below) which (warmly enough) reminds me of the old "basement days" when both the feedback and the fuzz was soaked up under the cover of lot's of (cheap beer) foam! All I've got in me to ask is this then. "Got any more mates?".

 http://sodslaw.stereokiller.com/

Hounds-Begin Transmission Part 2

Metal Hammer
2014

Included free with the latest issue of Metal Hammer* and serving as the follow-up to 2013's "Begin Transmission"** (which was actually included in the January 2013 issue of Metal Hammer!) the EP "Begin Transmission Part 2" was a pleasant surprise I must say. Whether I actually (still) have the other EP from this Essex-based (UK) band or not in my collection (as I've had a subscription to the magazine now for a l-o-n-g time and most certainly had to have seen it at one point or another) remains a mystery, but there is nothing at all mysterious about what this four-piece band rips out on their new four-track EP! For you see, when it comes to Hounds we're talking about explosive electronic punk from a band that can count The Prodigy among their fans! As a matter of fact this EP, which was recorded and produced by the band members themselves in the Air Raid Shelter(!), is not unlike something you might expect to hear coming from The Prodigy. Only when it comes to Hounds there's a difference in punk rock mentality. You could look at Hounds as being more like a garage rock version of The Prodigy, one with an everyman punk outlook and more of an approachable and accessible to all vibe. Of the three original compositions on this EP it's t toss up between "In Your Eyes" and "Watch And Learn". Opening number "The Wicked Witch" is just a tad cheesy (lyric-wise) for my tastes, but the other two cuts offer real range as Hounds goes from real punk on "In Your Eyes" to a number like "Watch And Learn" which is alternative rock disguised as electronic rock! As for the forth track on this EP? Well, just like on last year's "Begin Transmission" (where the band paid homage to Ministry with their version of "Stigmata"***) the group has tacked on a choice cover. In this case it's "Whiteout" by Killing Joke. The original version of this one can be found on Killing Joke's tenth studio album, "Pandemonium" (a beast of a release by the way!) and in the hands of Hounds it's real treat! In fact this whole EP is a real treat. Whether you can still find this issue or not isn't much to be worried about as you can download the EP off of iTunes. And, better yet, you can actually listen to both EPs by clicking on the YouTube link below o you know what you're in for before slapping down your hard-earned money! Coolness right?

http://www.houndsmusic.com/ 

*April 2014 (the one with Kirk "What happened to my dignity?" Hammett on the cover)

**By some accounts the EP was previously release (Summer of 2012 it sounds like) with Metal Hammer then scooping the group up then and actually re-releasing it in their magazine. Of course it's not a real big issue either way as it's every bit as good as part 2 has proven to be! And I know this as I went on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/houndstelevision) and checked it out!

***Ministry's 1988 album, "The Land of Rape and Honey", was the first album I ever heard from the group and I'm almost positive that I still have it on CD somewhere in this mess of mine that i like to call an office! It has remained a favorite moment of mine from Ministry with "Stigmata" serving as a stand-out track!

Yerbadiablo-It doesn't Work

Atomic Stuff Records
2013

 The 13-track "It doesn't Work", which was recorded, mixed, engineered & mastered by Luca Gomedi at High Distortion Level Studio between April 2013 and October 2013 and is the follow-up release to (previously-reviewed as noted by following link) "Jester In Brick Lane" (http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Yerbadiablo), is the latest work of art from Italy's experimental rock/indie rock/garage rock (and one-time one-man project) outfit Yerbadiablo. First appearing on the scene sometime back in 2010, with multi-instrumentalist/founder (and as stated then lone member!) Nik (the Öyster) calling all the shots, the project has evolved into more of a full-fledged band resulting in a much more fluid and natural sounding affair. Although let's be clear up front one point. Even when stacked next to other (world-wide) experimental rock acts a band like Yerbadiablo is unlike any other act out there expanding the boundaries of rock and roll. And yet, as evidential by the growth and (what comes off as) natural progression between 2012's "Jester In Brick Lane" and last year's "It Doesn't Work", the group's latest still seems as if it's roots are firmly planted in this reality*! Now backed by a rather impressive group of players**, Nic (vocals, guitars, bass, percussion, synth, diablo toys) takes Yerbadiablo on many adventures over the course of these 13-tracks. The album's first single "Hemp Generation" is the opener on "It Doesn't Work" (which should really be called "It All Works"!) and it's pure/blissful garage rock and roll! It's a great way to start off an album like this and, while it's a bit rough (language-wise so heads up being you go blaring this one around Mom & Dad and/or the kiddos folks!), "Hemp Generation" (http://youtu.be/wnzqmPdyiJc) sets the course for what proves to be a amazing journey! Drawing upon their influences (really, it's a list of who's who that includes act both acknowledge and unacknowledged including Blue Öyster Cult, Tom Waits, The Black Keys, Green River/Motherlovebone/Pearl Jam, McLusky, The Rolling Stones, Infectious Grooves, El Tri, Ramones, Todos Tus Muertos, Pj Harvey, Deep Purple, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Sam the Sham, The Trashmen, MC5, The Stooges, (Detroit's) Death,  The Sonics,  Mudhoney, Grand Funk Railroad, King Crimson, Miles Davis, The Kinks, The Troggs, Lou Reed, The Clash, etc!!!!) Yerbadiablo makes easy work of early cuts like "El Viparo" (featuring tasty harmonica from Rick Martello this cut comes across as Iggy Pop collaborating with The Black Keys!!), the psychedelic "Eurozone" and post-grunge/alt. rocker "U.S.A. (United State of Alienation)" as they scamper along with (mellow) closure "Pink Clouds Purple Eyes" being the proverbial "X marks the spot" on the map! The sound patterns of the 60s & 70s end up being explored on "Black Beard" and (jazzy lounge/Spanish rocker) "Calavera y Veneno". Meanwhile "Ojos de Bruja" starts off like some sort of elevator (to hell!) music before switching gears towards something more (dangerous and dark) rock-oriented before "Rattlesnake Tail in the Belly of the Whale" opens the floodgates all the way with nothing but sick& sinister (and rustic and raw!) heavy metal pouring out! So, as you can see there are a shit-load and a half(!) styles coursing through this (garage rock) album and, unless you are unable to step forward and grab hold of something new and different, there remains "something for everyone" on "It Doesn't Work"! Highlights would be too many to list as Yerbadiablo makes everything work! Whether we're talking about the album's first single "Hemp Generation" (a saucy, sassy and sax-filled rock and roller!), (metal-like) "Rattlesnake Tail in the Belly of the Whale", (acid trip in the making?) "Eurozone" or the "Now, that's what I call punk rock!" track "Habemus Punk" (a gritty rocker that falls somewhere between 1970's New York punk of old and charming variety or early 80's Cali-punk) everything comes across as if it is perfectly suited for that particular genre! It's really hard to pull that off unless your fans first and you do everything with integrity and the mindset that you're paying homage to music you love for yourself first and then fellow-fans second! Yerbadiablo have really come a far way in a short amount of time so it will be really interesting to see where this act goes from here now that there is a (hopefully) steady/stable line-up in place! You can find out more on the group's Facebook page below and be sure to check out the video for the excellent "Hemp Generation"***!!  

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yerbadiablo/187711264596993

 *The group's last release (as can be read in my review!) left me "stranded somewhere in a state of confusion"! While their latest (which happens to be sung in both English and Spanish!) is still quite "wild and crazy", what with a track like "Imbunche" (heavily) relying on percussion (and being one of a few gems here sporting a cool ass sax solo!), the (almost there, but not quite) countrified/folk diddy "Diving Chamber" and the trashy punk rocker, "!Crash" serving as just a couple examples of the album's variety, it actually comes off as being (all-around) more grounded!

**Per the band's Facebook page the line-up also includes:
Pol-bass, vocals, guitars, percussion, sound fx, diablo toys 

Elvis-guitars, background vocals, percussion, diablo toys 

Gomez-drums, percussion, diablo toys  

Additional (guest) musicians include:  
Gabriele Bolognesi (sax on "Hemp Generation", sax & percussion on "Imbunche", clarinet on "Cazzillo Cramps", flute on "Black Bird". 

Il Demonio (guitar intrusion on "Ojos de Bruja") 

Ili (delay guitar improvisation on "Ojos de Bruja")

Rick Martello (harmonica on "El Viparo") 

***For the record I do not endorse the use of marijuana and/or any other narcotics so kids use your brains and think about the (potentially damaging) long-term effects before you do anything stupid!

Baxter Stockman-Punter

Ektro
2013

Looks can be so deceiving. If I had to guess about this one I would have gone with "heavy rock" or maybe "80's-infleunced hard rock". Neither answer would be correct although this is a form of rock I guess. After the title-cut, which opens this debut-album from the Helsinki, Finland-based three-piece known as Baxter Stockman, tests the boundaries of even my patience before things get a tiny bit more "Even Steven"...although, it's not by that much admittedly. Baxter Stockman*, which was founded in  in 2006 (and has a name that sounds like the title-character to some 80's comedy about an adventurous teenager!), find their inspiration in the likes of Swans, G.G. Allin and Rapeman (a group that feature Steve Albini of Big Black). If your looking at those three influences and you find yourself saying "Well, that looks like one hot-mess of psychotic inspirations" then you are pretty much correct! The vocals are bizarre (going from almost raw punk-like moaning/murmuring to eery cries) and the actual music is the sound of rock and roll as it's getting raped by Frankenstein's punk-rock obsessed monster! Is it tolerable? Well, that just depends upon what your ears can endure. These guys founded the band with the aim of making intense rock that was harsh and hammered into the listeners eardrums with the surgical procession of a circus strongman drunk on his own power and filled to the brim with rage and cheap beer! In that regard this one is a success! But if your squeamish and don't like the sound of screeching guitars and drums that sound as if they are being played by a out-of-control, one-armed robot then you would be best served to just keep on walking, no, make that running, away from "Punter" as quickly as your tiny feet can carry you! 

 

 

*In reality the group is named after a character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Forgotten Gems: Profondo Rosso-To Live, And Die, In The UK

Neat Records
1996

True to my word here I am covering this UK act's debut recording. Sure enough I covered their farewell LP first, but that was just a case of dumb blind luck. The line-up on this 11-track release remains the same, but this time around (or really how this 3-piece started off rocking and rolling) the song does not remain the same. Green Day, Nirvana and even Bush (yeah, I was stunned too!) all play a part on this release in addition to (as experienced on their second release) the Sex Pistols and The Clash. Elsewhere there's trips taken to far aways lands where the likes of The Buzzcocks and S.N.F.U. roam free and you can also hear how bands like Jane's Addiction served as early influences. Overall the band's debut-album does feel a bit more "raw" and "free", but it's a very accessible collection of tunes nonetheless. This was an album that I played with my teens around and it everyone seemed to dig it. Now that I have these two albums I plan to hunt down the group's other recordings (one EP for sure).

Forgotten Gems: Profondo Rosso -Next Stop Neurosis

Neat Records
1997

On more occasions then I'd like to admit or even care to remember, which is to say quite a few times, I've been suckered into buying heavy metal lots or, like in this case, a "NWOBHM" lot. Back before I really knew my way around the Internet (and there was still dinosaurs and dial-up connections) it happened a lot as I would just take sellers at their word. These days I know better and am better prepared to do research before I hit either the "bid now" or "buy it now" button. With this 3-piece act I knew that I was not getting a N.W.O.B.H.M. band. Just because they were signed by Neat Records does not mean that they were some sort of British metal act. About the only thing they have in common with other Neat artists is the fact that they hailed from England! As I got it along with Sweet Savage's "Rune", Wraith's "Schizophrenia" and Slander's "Careless Talk Costs Live" (which I already had in it's re-released version) I didn't much care about technicalities. It's merely that I found it kind of funny how much (and how often) people will try to stretch the movement to cover bands like this. I mean at least Slander gets points for their love and devotion of all things N.W.O.B.H.M.! Anyway, the CD's description did mention how, upon signing with Neat Records, they were (supposedly) assigned ex-Tygers of Pan Tang front-man Jess Cox as a manager. That's interesting stuff if it's true and all.  Formed in 1992, and having a sound that owed way more favors to punk rock then it did heavy metal, the band named themselves after Dario Argento's classic 1975 Italian giallo (which is more commonly know these days as "Deep Red" I suspect). What's funny though is how the name choice doesn't really match up with the music on hand. It's possible that the band, which was lead by vocalist/guitarist John Savage, started out a bit more "edgy", but they are nowhere near as dark as their name might imply! After all we are talking about naming your band after a Italian slash-fest! The name choice aside, we're looking at a band/album that reminded me of everyone from (early) Goo Goo Dolls to the Sex Pistols. With bassist Duncan James Garvey (cool name) and drummer Karl Rouleau (also a cool name) on board we find a really steady power trio that rolls out track after track of punk rock and roll cheesiness! As they shuffle about their business on "Next Stop Neurosis" it's easy to pin-point the many bands that these three emulated.
This Sunderland, N.E. England-based band most assuredly loved the likes of The Clash as much as they did The Who. It's said that the group also owed part of their original sound to other influences like  Swervedriver, Jane’s Addiction, Manic Street Preachers and even Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, but that's less obvious (especially on this disc) then bands like The Clash, Goo Goo Dolls and The Sex Pistols. If I walked away with anything (in regards to the album) it was a desire to hear more from the group. So in a way they did get their claws hooked in me. With their only other full-length album, "To Live, And Die, In The UK", on it's way to me as I type this I guess we shall see if musical consistency was a trait that this band flourished in or not.

Iggy & The Stooges-Ready To Die

Fat Possum Records
2013

Given the mixed response that followed 2007's "The Weirdness" (the last studio album by The Stooges) there wasn't exactly a lot of excitement on my part when this album crossed my path. Still, my curiosity got the better of me and, seeing as it was The Stooges after all, it wouldn't be right to just write "Ready To Die" off without giving it a fair listen. I'll say that I'm glad I did take the time as there is a lot of good stuff to be found here on the group's fifth album. The album opens strong with the punk metal track "Burn", which highlights the guitar playing of  James Williamson (James returned to The Stooges following the unfortunate death of guitarist Ron Asheton), and holds steady all the way up until track number five, "Unfriendly World". That's not to say that "Unfriendly World" is a toss away cut or anything. It just comes along and, as it's more laid-back then the previous numbers (which, thanks to the skill of Williamson, really remind the listener of the high energy that came packed along with the group's 1973 "Raw Power" LP) quickly kills the momentum of the album. Still, it's a fair enough track in it's own right and, other then the album's closing number, "The Departed (which is directed at those who have fallen including the late Ron Asheton), it's the album's only ballad-like number. Both of these numbers are open and honest which is certainly something that has always rang true about both The Stooges and Iggy Pop himself. And speaking of honesty, and Iggy's "calling them like he sees them" approach, "DD's" is sure to be one of those cuts that will give the politically-correct crowd something to get all worked up about. It should be fairly easy to understand where the song sits, lyric-wise, so there's no sense in knocking Iggy for his (understandably) appreciation of said objects. Anyway, "Ready To Die" also features drummer Scott Asheton (one of the group's founding members), legendary bassist Mike Watt (The Minutemen and so much more!) and the sax of Steve Mackay. If I'm incorrect then someone please say so, but I do believe that, in addition to laying down some fabulous leads on this album, guitarist James Williamson produced "Ready To Die". The album's overall feeling is natural with the only complaint on my part being that the excellent saxophone playing of guest musician Steve Mackay (who was featured on "The Weirdness" as well as on the Stooges' 1970 album, "Fun House") is too often buried in the mix. Other then that minor complaint "Ready To Die" is a solid album with a really good title-track and more good numbers then fluff. While it both sounds like a proper Stooges' album and then again doesn't (the two ballad-like numbers throw things off a bit) it's still a good album that shows that there is still some serious spunk in these older rockers. Pound for pound it's also way better then the huge bulk of bands that the Stooges would eventually inspire (or at least some of the "music" these bands seem to be bombarding us with these days!) and a reminder that there still is good music to be found out there if you just open up your eyes and give it a chance.

Transpalnts-In A Warzone

Epitaph Records
2013

It was back in 2002 when the self-titled album first dropped. Whether it was shortly thereafter or a little down the road (into 2003) when I first heard the album all the way through  I can't quite recall. But I do know that it was a different world and a different time for me and anything project that had Tim Armstrong (Rancid/Operation Ivy) involved I was most definitely interested in checking out. While it would take a little time for me to appreciate some of the tracks like "D.J. D. J." I was instantly hooked by the likes of "Tall Cans In The Air" and "Diamonds and Guns" (both of which became well known) as well as cuts such as "Sad But True" and "We Trusted You". I wasn't ashamed to admit that the album's mash-up of punk, reggae and yes, even the rap bits, made it a highly enjoyed album all around. So, when "Haunted Cities" arrived in 2005 I was hoping for more of the same from the guys in the Transplants, but instead the album sunk like a lead weight to these ears. It didn't have the same kind of spontaneous magic that their first release did. Instead it felt like they tried too hard. Fast forward all these years and here we see the group/project (which also includes "Skinhead Rob" Aston and Blink 182's Travis Barker) releasing album number three. Had it not been available through a library in my county I highly doubt that I would have given it the time of day. That would have been a shame as album number three is a lot like album number one for the Transplants. It's a cool mash-up of punk and rap, but with enough reggae (Rancid style) to give it both a serious punch and a series groove! Again the band is stripped down style-wise and the release carries a rather distinct free-flowing vibe. As someone who loves straight-up punk rock and reggae-infused punk rock it's one of those albums where's there's more then enough good parts to out way any bad parts. This one was definitely a pleasant surprise.

Haust-No

Fysisk Format
2013


Haust hails from the hills of Notodden, Norway where, in 2001, they became "infected by the mix of white trash and black metal" in their surroundings. That infection would lead to a 2002 demo called "Blackmetal Suicide" and, after releasing another demo in 2003 called "Rejected", would eventually result in the 2005 full-length release, "Ride the Relapse". Now, as we fast forward all these years later, Haust issue their 4th full-length release and their first new material in 3 years. Their complete back-catalog also includes numerous EPs and Splits but, to these ears, "No" is my first experience. So how was my first time? Well, the band, who are part of what is called the "Black Hole Crew" (alongside other bands like Okkultokrati, Dark Times and Blackest Woods) weirdly enough do come off as a cross between white trash punk and black metal. It's not quite black n' roll though as there's some proto-metal going on here and, what I'd describe as, trash metal. Certainly not for everyone, but in a way this one is almost punker than punk. It sounds like it was recorded in a garage studio and, when you hear the whole shebang was recorded in a mere 2 weeks time (with actually recording time taking a mere hour!), you should know what your getting into.The promo sheds some further light on "No" as it was 2 weeks "full of arguing, distrust and rehearsal". You can hear the raw negativity that runs through these 8 tracks which reminds me (vibe-wise) of C.O.C.'s "Animosity". Raw and evil, twisted and hateful, this LP is what I'd imagine you'd get out of a black metal band setting themselves on fire while they blast through "interpretations" of tracks by the likes of S.N.F.U., Crass, The Dayglo Abortions and The Germs!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Haust/109919372546
http://www.fysiskformat.no
http://www.facebook.com/fysiskformat

Forgotten Gems: The Spades-Learnin' The Hard Way

Go Cart Records
2004

Forget everything you think you know about hard-living, punk-fueled, biker sleaze-rock. The Spades are about to school you in the fine art of all things greasy and grizzly/hard and heavy. This is spit in your face/loudmouth heavy rock born from those who grew up down and out. Straight from the word go the members of The Spades were finding themselves in trouble so it's no wonder that the music here bleeds angst and frustration. Despite the inner-city, anywhere U.S.A. look in their eyes these guys come from across the pound. The Netherlands that is. Yes, The Netherlands. That just goes to show you that growing up down and out doesn't have to be limited to those living here in the States. Not at all. Of course where they come from means little compared to what they can teach you about real punk and roll. For this band it's all about playing pissed-off, mean metal. Let's roll off the obligatory names. Motörhead, Ramones,MC5, Dead Boys, AC/DC, Black Flag and The Hellecopters all resonate throughout this release. Don't let that fool you though. This is the real deal. All of those bands just get smashed together with those results being one bad mother of a rock platter. The Spades are guys straight out of the streets who, having seen their fair share of misery and bigotry, found that they were tired of having to just "fall in line" so they picked up their guitars and played. And play they did. "Learnin' the Hard Way" is 17 tracks of gut-punching mean music. It's not pretty. It's raw and real. It's also hard hitting in a "Open your eyes and see the lies right in front of you" kind of way. I can't and won't pretend like I know what it's like to walk a mile in the shoes of these six guys (Denvis Wankalot - Vocals, Barry Black - Guitar, Tony Slug - Guitar, Enus - Guitar, Dick Spade - Bass and Son Of A Cop - Drums), but I will say that it makes for some killer punk metal/rock and roll!

Red Hex-Shoulda Known 7"

Negative Fun Records
2013

I don't know about you, but I'm having fun. So why the record label name my dear comrades of all things 7 inches? I'm having a fine and dandy, better with brandy, fun time with bands like Red Hex. And you know what? This kind of fun is the sort that usually starts with "And I was drinking..." and ends with "I should have known better". "Shoulda Known" is a lot like that missing evening to me. It's all fuzzy and a bit of a blur, but judging by the disheveled state I'm in it must have been one hell of a good time! Red Hex (Which sounds more like some kind of indie beer then the name of a band, but hey, what do I know?) hail from Tacoma which, as Neko Case described it, is "a dusty old jewel in the South Puget Sound / where the factories churn / and the timber's all cut down". And this here is the result. Or it's at least what would be left of any 60s/70s garage rockers after all that factory smoke lite them up and did them in. Imagine if you will that these dusty rockers managed to, in a "You had to be there to experience it" moment, record a couple of songs that were part urban decay and part "Green Grass and High Tides". Would it make much difference at all, would it add to the authentic nature of this newly recorded "old recording" (or would it persuade you) if I mentioned how it sounded as if the band was in one room and the person who was recording this was underneath them, possibly in the basement, simply holding up a hand-held recorder? Would it take away from it's charm any? No. What it lacks in sonic refinement it more then makes up for with it's soulful take on vintage "cheap beer and cheaper women" rock. There's a sincere sense of "Kick out the Jams Moutherf***ers!" as Red Hex, fuzzy as they may be, leans heavy on the guitar crunch while lightly dusting off any nonsense about being sensitive to the audience's pop yearnings. Red Hex plays for no one but themselves even as they spin you a tale as old as time. It's a tale about a time and place when rocking out meant tuning your amps with one hand while you tried not to spill your warm beer with the other!  Red Hex are a garage rock band for those of us old enough to remember what garage rock REALLY used to sound like. Thank the God of thunder and hellfire rock and roll that bands like Red Hex just might be able to save us from the soul-takers that give us garbage like the Grammys!

http://negativefunrecords.bandcamp.com/album/shoulda-known-7 




http://www.negativefun.com/redhex/

She Rides/Dripping Slits-Crucial Fix Split 7"

Negative Fun Records
2013

I love the feel of  a 7 inch early in the morning. Especially when it's fueled by sweat and alcohol. Of course I'm taking about this new split from Negative Fun Records. Or more specifically Providence, Rhode Island act She Rides. Formed in 2006, these guys unleash dirty garage rock and roll that's 100% authentic and 100% kick ass! They have shared the stage with a slew on bands from Every Time I Die to The Bronx (Even one of my secret addictions-Valiant Thorr!) and play real rock and roll . Not some weak-kneed rock like The Stokes or something, but real "Punks and Bangers unite" rock! She Rides gives us the two raw rockers "Grease in the Wheels" and "Rage Forever" and, despite everything going on in the world today, offers us just the right kind of buzz needed to kick back and unwind. They burn up their own side on this 7". Now, before we get into the wonderfully named Dripping Slits (Seriously, I love the name) let's give a quick shout out to Negative Fun Records. They are a limited press, singles only record label. This is a limited-run (500 copies or less!) singles we're talking about and it's not like they're out there just issuing vinyl from any/every 3 cord punk band they can gather up. No, from the sound of things, or at least from the sounds of these two 7"s I got from them, it's only the cream of the crop they're dealing with. It's also worth mentioning that Negative Fun Records is not out there trying to create super-rare, collectible pieces of vinyl (Even though some of these could end up being just that!), but they're simply operating within their budget. That's a novel business approach I realize and one that our own government might want to consider! Anyway, we are not here to talk politics. Rather we are out looking for new and interesting bands to play loud and proud. With that we tackle Dripping Slits and their two tracks, "Soul Fool"  "Let's Get Rough (to Death From Above)". While She Rides are "garage rock" raw the Dripping Slits are "I just woke up under a car and have no idea how I got there" raw. There's "punk" and then there's "PUNK". Guess which one the Dripping Slits are? In a world were we're forced to endure the next "latest & greatest" Green Day this band unloads with a frenzied  "hack and slash" style of rock that makes the Sex Pistols look like a bunch of teetotalers! It's sleazy, gritty garage rock that finds you smashed out your mind with an empty bottle of MD20/20 lying by your side and your pants missing. Yeah, it's THAT kind of party. Together these two bands cause all kinds of mischief as they make their way from bar to bar crawling along as they go. I'm reminded of a great line from "Do You Remember" by The Rockafellas. It goes "We did the gig but we didn't get paid 'cause they didn't like the racket we made". These two bands are not pretty.  Both of these bands play real, it's time to get your hands dirty, rock and roll that makes amps bleed. It's raw, it's real, it's rebellious and, above all, it's the shit. Get this 7" from Negative Fun Records so that you two can be reminded of what real rock sounds like. It's good to know that bands like this still exist.  

http://negativefunrecords.bandcamp.com/album/crucial-fix-split-7