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The Crowd

"Punk Off"
Unity Squad Records

Grade: B+
Posted 03/25/02

 

 What do you do when you literally help to start the O.C. Punk scene,  and write a killer song that gets airplay on KROQ back when it was cool and they actually played INDY music?  Well a few decades later you write another batch of great tunes and tell people to Punk Off !  The latest Crowd cd off the shelves from Unity Squad Records is the first full-length major release since the incredible “Letter Bomb” cd in mid 90’s” And it’s exactly what you expect from the Crowd, hyperactive, beachy, old school punk with a ton of life lessons thrown in for flavor. Songs like “Max Got Hit By A Car” is a song about one of their rambunctious sons getting hit by a car is just an example of how the band brings in their daily life to their music. With a core that’s been together for a few decades the rhythm and chops are all their. A definite buy for the old schooler at heart.

• Unity Squad Records

- Scott Wulfesteig

 

The Dead Boys

"We Have Come For Your Children"
Sire Records

Grade: A+
Posted 03/25/02

 

 I've got this problem of not knowing what to say to the people I admire when the opportunity comes for me to meet them in person. I was working as a limo driver/bouncer for Ezra Joseph at Huntington Beach's legendary Night Moves around 1989 and 1990 when one night as I was trying to buff out some scratches I put in Ezra's limo Stiv Bators and his wife or girlfriend walks up and Stiv says "is this your car?", and tongue-tied I slurr out the words "No, it belongs to the guy who owns the club." Stiv then proceeded to tell me about The Lords of the New Church's tour, and their hellish ride on their tour bus from Phoenix the night before. After 5 minutes of small talk where Stiv did most of the talking, he disappeared into Night Moves to get ready for the show. One of the things I wish I'd told Stiv was just how influential The Dead Boys-"we have come for your children" was to me in the time I discovered Punk Rock. Which is one justification for me reviewing this CD twenty three years after it's release. One of the other is that it's a timeless Punk classic. 
This record, along with records by Generation X, Sham69, The Damned, The Rezillos, The Clash ("Give 'em enough rope" especially), and of course The Sex Pistols is the roots of my education in Punk. To hear Stiv scream "1-2-3-4! There ain't no future and there ain't no past/There's just a graveyard and it's coming fast" on the opening track "3rd Generation Nation" is to hear it from someone who lived and believed, and was willing to die by every word they were saying. Damn! I'm getting all misty-eyed about it! This record was released in 1978 on Sire Records and although it's predecessor "Young Loud and Snotty" is still easily available at Tower, Virgin, or The Wherehouse, "we have come for your children" is out of U.S. print. My suggestion is to contact Drak and the friendly staff of Vinyl Solution at (714)963-1819, or at the web address below and have them special order it for you because it's only available as a German Import anymore.

- Goth Brooks

 

The Lawrence Arms

"Apathy and Exhaustion"
Fat Wreck Chords

Grade: C-
Posted 03/25/02

 

 How many more blink 182 wanna bees will I  have to endure these guys sound so much like the trendy bands at the fore front of the bubble gum scene , I had to check the cover to make sure . forgive me for going into a punk diatribe , NO , on second thought I don't need to be fucken forgiven , punk has been bastardized and mutilated into pretty , happy, prepubescent , pink and light blue , studded belt wearing , lovesong , singing hopefuls. It was said that the bassist, Brendan, was punchy?? Thats what they said in the intro page that came with the c/d package . NO NO NO although he can sing very very well , punchy is not the adjective I would lend to his singing ability , as for his bass playing well versed and strong , I say. Chris , guitarist, and second singer , was characterized as clean and having maudlin themes , I will agree with the clean part however the cleanness is as good as the engineer , as a guitarist he impressed me as being plain and uninventive , the leads were not anything I hadn't heard before . No one mentioned the drummer of this band MR. Hennessy , he seems to have an awesome ability to make it all come together , as percussionists go I think his consummate artistry is overlooked and overshadowed by another dominating force in the scheme of the band , sounds like politics to me .

- Major Anthony Nelson

 

All Day Long

"End Of Line"

Grade: C
Posted 03/25/02

 

 I've got to give it to these guys for trying very, very very, hard to mix a spackle of hard core with some super blinky riffs , it works but they need some polishing . "exclusion", the first track on this c/d is very reminisant of of the beginning of the bubble gum punk revolution , you know the one that we were inundated with in the early 90s , steven whom i will asume is the lead G, has a unique style of melodyand crunch, peter and jared 2ndG and bass have to run to catch up, although daniel on drums, has a strong and steady beat albeit high snare and very tinny sounding high snare . If they are trying for the bubble gum sound , the vocals need much improvement , HARMONIZE!!!! boys . these guys aren't signed and the packaging leaves alot to be desired , but the personal note made me ...... sniffle ? " be free !you no longer have to wash your feet , use sand "????????

- Major Anthony Nelson

 

 

Star Strangled Bastards

"Star Strangled Bastards"

Grade: A
Posted 03/25/02

 

 Some of the hardest old school punk that I have heard in a long fucken time , this takes me back to the shows at the Santa Monica civic auditorium where on any given week end you could see you favorite punk band , get drunk , get into a fight , and get fucked by that cute punk chick from home room , all at the same show . these guys are as good as its gonna get here in socal pick this up and I assure you , you will not be disappointed , they remind me of rancid meets fear and the misfits are just along for the ride . better yet go see these cats live I am told they put on a hell of a show , strait out of orange county California not much more needs to be said its punk fucken rock my friend .

- Major Anthony Nelson

 

 

Handsome Devil

"Love and Kisses from the Underground"
RCA/Dirty Martini Records

Grade: B
Posted 03/25/02

 

 All right people this is "NEW", I got this CD from a Buddie, he is living in Orange County also...... I was really excited to hear this CD because he told me that these guys are awesome.......
Yeah, whoooo hooooo they're really good.. I like the name of the band "Handsome Devil" plus the title of the CD sounds really good to me. The band is from Orange County California music scene. Theyre playing fuckin good, its a Power-Punk-Mix. I've listened to this CD a couple of times so far and I can say yeah they're all doing a great job on their instruments and vocals for sure..... I wanna see them live so I hope i get the chance someday, I'm sure they would kick my Ass really badly...
The guys are playing with lottsa Energy and Power, I like that alot.... Its amazing, really good work boys... Hopefully they'll grow in the right direction because they've potential for greatness..
Keep up the good work dudes...
Cheeeeers!!!!!!! 

- ASTRA the German chick

 

The Goddamn Gentlemen

"Sexcaliber Horsepower"

Grade: C
Posted 03/25/02

 

 If  you were to give social distortion acid for nine days you would ultimately get these goons . lots of yelling and grungy vocals , a definite overuse of vocal distortion , with a tendency for dicursiveness , but the music itself is well received and well performed , good chops and and lots of real hot solos . The drummer of this band of hellbillies , mr huth, is probably the most prolific member of this assemblage , his proficient manner for beating the skins is to be acclaimed he exhibits a fecund versatility seldom seen in today's newer bands . I will bestow a generous "C"



- Major Anthony Nelson

 

 

Society Genitorture

DVD
Video Music Distributors

Grade: ???
Posted 03/25/02

 

 I  don't think it would be fair for me to review this DVD because of my own personal lifestyle , however I will give my opinion . 200 million pornos cant be wrong my friends , full penetration and clear penal and clitoral stimulation are key in these types of movies , not with this dog and pony show , all of the money shots are distorted and cloudy or the film begins to jump and skipp like some 8mm snuff flick , why atrists are convinced that these visuals must be choppy to be art can only be answered by the artist them selves . plenty of tits and vagina can be seen and some rubbing as well , call me old or even old fashioned but I would rather see some slut getting the high hard one , instead of just a tease .

• Video Music Distributors Site

- Major Anthony Nelson

 

 

Unitas

"Porch Life"
No Idea Records

Grade: B
Posted 03/25/02

 

 Starts out pretty hard and rocken good beats , common punk quasi politics and pointing fingers at problems in society , "whos they?" and "unitas picks a fight" are chunky enough to sink your teeth into then you get to "porch life " , title track, the change to electric aided acoustic is like Fred Flintstone putting on the brakes with his feet , any way it seems a giant lul in the middle of the maelstrom , i think they planned it that way , have faith , they pick it up again by track 8. all in all this is what I would call " long trip driving music " lots of winding and ups and downs . Mr. black and Mr. T  Rockhill mesh very well together as bass and lead G , almost bluesy and , often times throughout the c/d you can visualize the two of them dueling .

• No Idea Records Site

- Major Anthony Nelson

 

Brick Bath

"I Won't Believe the Lie"
JWM Productions

Grade: A
Posted 03/25/02

 

 Powerful, crunchy, super hard , needles in your penis , these guys fucking rock hard , the new age of anger core has arrived i can only imagine how brutal the the pit is at a BB show . Mr. Mc Caw , in a continuous barrage of vocal acrimony , inexorably holding your head under water , I had to stop and wonder if he ever took a breath , very seldom do you hear and feel a vocalist that fits so well in the band . the mighty thor has returned from the 6th level of hell with a guitar to replace the bolt of lightning in the form of Mr. myer , his dexterity and prowess is exhibited like an extension of his soul , track 7 is probably the best example of his expertise . next , visualize godzilla stomping through your city, before you see the cause , you feel the quake of each foot step invoking fear with each temblor , Mr.. stone and his bass have this effect on you . Mr.. babble , last but not least the back bone of this band is the malevolent orgy of throbbing double kick , azreal could not pummel you skull as does babble , check out track 12 . go out and get this fucking c/d and if your local vinyl merchant doesn't have or carry it beat them until they either place your order or shit their pants .

• Brick Bath MP3 Site

- Major Anthony Nelson

 

Terrorgruppe

"Blechdose"

Grade: A
Posted 03/25/02

 

 Yeah Yeah damn Guys that is good work, first time I've thought hm oki that will be a Live-Album with lots of old songs, not really a big deal plus I don't really like that much Live Stuff, I mean I love the old stuff of the Terrorgroup for sure, I've seen them very often playing live some time ago and theyre really one of my fav. German Punk-Bands (specially I like them because they're from Berlin where my heart is from :)).....Anyway like I said it was a big surprise when I got the Album the other day, I've opened the packet and whooo hoo what a design ha, they did great work with it its in a can but very nice looking I really love that shit, looks great.......so that was the first surprise after some time I was thinking about how good this Live Album is, I remember the old days when I had more time for shows the most of the songs are my favorite too so what should I write about it, its great work Guys, so they're going on Tour soon I wish them lots of luck and for sure lots of fun but I know they will though ............
If you like pure German Punkrock fast, loud, funny lyrics, go and buy this Album you wont regret anything like I said youve something in your hands looks fuckin cool and the songs are awesome too so dont be lazy kick your ass out of your beds and go buy that "Shit" Americans.........
My fav. Songs:Nazis im Haus, Ich bin ein Punk, Schöner Strand .....
They get 10 points for the can and 8 for the Musik ......We Germans don't have that much really good Punkbands except Oxymoron so I'm proud that these guys are doing that good work.....
Thanx to Mr.Steve for sending me the CD.....
check this out: www.terrorgruppe.com
for booking: www.destiny-tourbooking.com

- ASTRA the German chick

 

The Lucky Lager Louts

"St. Louis Street Punk"

Grade: A
Posted 03/25/02

 

 Holy shit, I live for this kinda shit, lots of style and plenty of attitude.... I give this band much credit for knowing the true art of Street punk... I remember my good old days, damn these guys are fuckin awesome.. Loud, fast, the singer is great, havent heard such a good voice like he has in a long time, I really like his voice, sounds like long drinking-smoking-nights.. I didnt expect that, theres so much bullshit going on today in the bad music scene but im glad that i found a band after lots of crap theyre playing with lots of enthusiasm, they show so much potential, its scary... I know the German-Heads over here would really fuckin like this stuff alot...... I hope this wont be the only cd I got and I hope TLLL will find a good deal soon, I know the Europeans would love to see them playing some shows over here, we have still a good scene, so Boys dont be lazy, you guys should kick our asses and I can promise you lots of Fun and drinking-nights with us.... I swear you´ll be looking for their Records one day.... Drink a beer, listen to the CD and get laid..... The roots of all that is talented Street Punk Rock... So Boys and Girls check them out soon........ Thanx and Hello to Nick for giving me the CD, Im glad i got it, hope I´´ll meet you guys someday somewhere would be cooooool......

Fav.Songs: Gun Shot and Psycho Killer

- ASTRA the German chick

 

Local Hero

"So, Here I Am"

Grade: B
Posted 03/25/02

 

 Good strong vibe , with a taste of hardcore thrown in for good sound , these guys are in high school and starting out in the world of alternative music and I think whoever inspired them should be commended because they obviously have what it takes if you should by chance be in the San Diego area go to find these guys at one of the all ages venues and you will be in for a treat , the c/d is home made but I assure you it is good quality punk rock just like our for fathers used to eat , so get in touch with LANCES HERO at www.LocalHeroMusic.com and order a c/d come on now support the home scene .

- Major Anthony Nelson

 

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