Night Birds – Born To Die In Suburbia LP (Grave Mistake Records)
In the 90’s, New Jersey was a bottomless well of terrific
Street Punk/OiI bands like The Bristles, The Wretched Ones, Those Unknown and
the labels that housed them; Headache, GMM, and Pogo Stick. So that’s kind of what I still think of when
I hear about a punk band from Jersey.
Somewhere along the line, tides shifted. Night Birds are here and do a searing Posh Boy/Hostage
Records sound that commands consideration. With one LP and a hand full of 7”’s prior, this seems to be
their strongest effort. The sound
is better fortified, leaner and meaner!
I love the way the instrumental surf punk scolder opening track Escape
From New York melts into the second title track. It’s like crossing the street, being hit by an eighteen
wheeler, only to wake up thankful to be barely alive stuck splattered on the
radiator grill. As the feeling of
gratitude continues you suddenly realize the whole mechanical ogre is going off
a cliff with you at the head. I
guess what I am trying to say is, this record is indeed the deliverer of the
goods! – Jay Castro
The Instigation – 7” EP (Self-released)
The band is based in Tokyo/Shanghai, employs a British Singer and
describes themselves as garage hardcore.
Sounds cool already huh!?
The “garage” in the description I assume comes from the sonic assault
that’s delivered in a slight lo-fi manner, which I think gives the songs a bit
more crunch to them. Don’t fret,
there is still hardcore a-plenty here to be found here, including a cover of
Black Flag’s White Minority. Since
the singer has that British accent in his cache, the songs come off with a
Conflict/Crass resonance and urgency, minus the agenda. I don’t get in the mood for this type
of music too often, but next time I do, rest assured I’m reaching for this
sharpened slab of wax! – Jay Castro
Japanese hardcore that leans heavily towards UK 82 bands like GBH and
Varukers, but with a guitar player that adds a layer of garage Rock N’ Roll
leads over top the hardcore tempos to add a twist. The Instigation takes the
style and sound of the aforementioned bands and speeds up the velocity. Think
more Insted style hardcore than Youth Of Today with a touch of Henry Fiat’s
Open Sore thrown in. – Ed Stuart
The back-story on this EP is that 86’d Records teamed up with about twenty to thirty other labels globally to put out this release. Now if this doesn’t show the community aspect and spirit of DIY within the punk community, I’m not sure what does. Martyrs and Prisoners is equal parts Fifteen, Crimpshrine, Fugazi and early Jawbreaker. Rations shows a little more of their melodic side and willingness to experiment sonically on this EP without losing focus on the punk/hardcore, dual vocal mainstay that has worked so well for the band on previous releases. – Ed Stuart
Rad Company/Tight Bros –
Split 7” (86’d Records)
Rad Company plays melodic pop punk in the same vein as bands
like Dillinger Four, Sludgeworth, Weston and Lawrence Arms. A catchy blend of
hooks, chugging crunchy guitars and double vocals that is the both the meat and
potatoes of the band and driving force behind the band’s sound.
Tight
Bros. on the other hand starts their side with a garage punk stomper that
features a power pop style chorus that feels reminiscent of Nick Lowe/Dave
Edmunds. While their second song of the side, “Trapped In My Head” sounds like
Briefs style punk. Catchy, new wave influenced pop punk. – Ed Stuart
With an album cover like this one I would have completely dismissed it
as a gaggle of high school saplings crooning about the time they became
intoxicated and soiled themselves at a party in front of the head
cheerleader. I was pleasantly
surprised to find this was not the case at all! Rad Company charges right out of the gate with a gust of Mid
Western melodic punk in the Sludgeworth or Pegboy approach. Tight Bros. has a bit more or a
retro strut in their step while still thundering forward through their edition
of punk pop songs. A tad more
guitar hook with a new wave/glam feel differentiate the Tight Bros. songs. Both bands have a slight fade of their
influences in their music, but you can tell they subscribe to the “Just drop
the hammer and rock” school of thought, which is great! Gimme more please! – Jay Castro
The Condors – 3 Item Combo
CD – (Vital Gesture Records)
One of the things I have found reviewing the records here
for Audio Ammunition is how many terrific bands are out there rocking in
obscurity. Reading a lot of
blogs and zines that cover “underground” music I tend to think “well if anyone
is that good, surely I would have heard of them by now”. So not the case! Take for example this wonderful third
LP by the Condors. It rocks in a
Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello manner that sounds inspired and doesn’t fall
into the copyist closet. Likeable
songs written about straightforward subjects and human emotions, the way rock n
roll is supposed to be.
Sometimes you want to put on a record and let music drive you out of a
bad day. The Condors are there
right there to start the engines! – Jay Castro
On the third LP, The Condors write the songs that make any fan of
American power pop proud. The band employs a clear focus on melody and song
craft incorporated with bits of blues, Rock N’ Roll and up-tempo punk thrown
into the mix. Heavy Plimsouls influence with parts of Graham Parker and Byrds
type harmonies sprinkled on top. – Ed Stuart
Rubrics – Apathy Is An Institution LP – (86’d
Records)
Rubrics mix punk, metal and hardcore with a healthy dose of
politically and socially conscious lyrics. Propagandhi, Lagwagon, 88 Fingers
Louie, Strike Anywhere, Fifteen and Avail influences can be heard throughout
the LP. Apathy is reminiscent of that
late 90’s/early 2000’s Fat Wreck era guitar sound and songwriting, but features
a dual guy/girl vocal attack to get their message across. – Ed Stuart
Searing hardcore that reminds me of Propagandhi with a mix of
F.Y.P. cut into it. Not just with
the sound, but Rubrics lyrics also have a sarcastic, socially conscious quality
to them as well. The vocals and
guitar don’t always follow the straight path laid out by the rhythm
section. They playfully stray and
do their own thing at times, which gives the music a bit more of a
sloppy/playful feel and is more fun to listen to. So instead of having someone shoot an arrow at your
face, imagine someone under hand tossing a cinder block at your head. The outcome is the same, it’s just the
delivery that’s a little messier! – Jay Castro
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