Freak Phone Demo 2025 cassette
When I picked up this tape and saw the name FREAK PHONE and the artwork of someone crudely tonguing the handset of a landline telephone, I assumed I was in store for a world of novelty art-punk nonsense. Thankfully, what I received when the tape kicked in was bare-bones, no-frills, RAMONES-core rock’n’roll from Portland, Maine. What might feel overly simplistic to some comes across as a breath of fresh air. In today’s world, modern-day RAMONES-worship bands often seem to be scared to just…be RAMONES. There’s always a fresh take or some artistic flourish added to the tried-and-true formula. What the hell are these acts thinking? You can’t smarten up good old-fashioned, glue-sniffing, moron mutant rock’n’roll! Based solely on the demo, FREAK PHONE doesn’t seem to fall into that trap. Here’s hoping there isn’t some novelty aspect to the band that would cheapen their sincerity in some way. This five-song cassette delivers pure, unpretentious rock’n’roll, including an awesome take on “I Want to See The Bright Lights Tonight” by RICHARD AND LINDA THOMPSON. It’s simple, it’s catchy, and it doesn’t need a damn gimmick.