Tojo Yamamoto Turning Face! 12″
Kentucky noise-rock-influenced punk focused on pro wrestler Tojo Yamamoto (I know next to nothing about wrestling, but this guy was apparently a hated “heel” from the ’60s through the ’80s). For fans of CHERUBS or USA/MEXICO, the band plays heavy, feedback-drenched riffs with raspy, hollered vocals. On a few tracks, like “Loser Leave Town (A Cautionary Tale)” and “Work,” the bass leads the way with a swaggering, blues-punk feel à la CLUTCH (minus the everyman mechanic shtick) by way of KILLDOZER. The best part of the record is that the whole thing is filled with classic wrestling interview samples. Everyone joins the ring, from refs to someone’s mom (her tough-guy son is just misunderstood) to incredible promos of ridiculous threats, insults, and arguments. It makes for a very fun, heavy rock record with crisp production and infectious energy.