For review and radio play consideration:
Please send vinyl (preferred), CD, or cassette releases to MRR, PO Box 3852, Oakland, CA 94609, USA. Maximum Rocknroll wants to review everything that comes out in the world of underground punk rock, hardcore, garage, post-punk, thrash, etc.—no major labels or labels exclusively distributed by major-owned distributors, no reviews of test pressings or promo CDs without final artwork. Please include contact information and let us know where your band is from!
Here, we have coupled the previously available PHANTOM OPERA EP, a group that rose from the break-up of the criminally underrated SECRET HATE, whose EP is also featured here. Both bands combined heavy riffing punk with everything they could get their hands on, from metal to surf. Too cool.
If you don’t have a sensitivity to noise, this will sound like a self-indulgent instrumental mess. What we have here is an insane, grinding, industrial-strength set of “tunes” which purposely tries to disorient and infuriate. You know what? It works.
Here’s some solid garage punk with realistic lyrics covering starvation, war, the underprivileged, etc. Comes with a lyrics book with effective graphics. Great job (not the band from Pomona!)
This great new live album should dispel any ideas about this band being a wimpy, light pop band, and prove that they can hold their own with the likes of “Detroit-style” rock bands from Australia like the CELIBATE RIFLES or the SCIENTISTS.
This all-girl band from Japan specializes in upbeat, melodic pop with tight, clipped, melodic vocal harmonies and nifty songwriting. Bouncy and energetic. I like this a lot!
This release touches on that fringe where HC meets haunting, discordant post-punk. The shouted female vocals, rhythmic instrumentals, and loose, fragmented compositions were difficult for me to enjoy.
Somehow, Norb Ugly (ex-S.U.M., now of DEPO PROVERA) dug up quantities of two early Green Bay “punk” singles and now wants to foist them off on you. This one is from 81 and has that new wave punk sound of 79-’80 — okay beat, but with deep pop-rock roots.
Forget the MIQUEL CO. side (sounds like Irish folk meets bad 70s rock), and the MASSACRE side is a 50/50 proposition. One tune is a pretty driving yet tuneful thrasher, but the other is a miserable metal clunker. Why?
Three French acts here: MST (basic but hot thrash), MASK HAAGAZ (more basic but not thrash), and BUTCHER (noisy thrash). Pretty good.
This band manages to take up all the space they can with their mixture of JESUS AND MARY CHAIN dissonance and SONIC YOUTH meets BIG COUNTRY melody. The instrumental on the flip is one of the most incredible production jobs I’ve heard in a long time.
New York’s alright if you like saxophones.
This reissue (?) of an early 80’s Aussie punk single by the KELPIES shows a studio approach to the same restrained punk style that was showcased in their recent posthumous live LP. The guitar work is rather like CHELSEA, the two compositions here pleasant but not earthshaking.
This German band showcases a mid- to fast-tempo HC approach with somewhat engaging vocal choruses and a dynamic instrumental punch. While there were a few interesting moments here, the overall effect is aggressive but not gripping.
Another band that’s hard to peg. It’s a very lean sound, somewhat akin to early English bands like DR. FEEDGOOD. Quite a few slower, more somber tunes along with a good cover of JOHN CALE’s “Mercenaries.”
Both bands collaborated on this split EP which contains four tunes by a single band who shares members between them. One side has spare instrumentals, delicate female vocals, and a punk attitude, while the other contains a good APOSTLES-style tune in “The Wasteland.” Interesting.
Previously only available on costly bootlegs, these four tracks may not have the production crispness of “official” releases, but there’s still a brace of alternative versions that will please JD fans. “She’s Lost Control” is just as good as always. Recommended.
Basically, a descriptive monologue of the prison life from a first hand experienced source. For those who have never done time or directly know someone who has, give this a listen. It will amaze, shock, repulse, and educate you.
A great record that just pumps out of your speakers — full adrenalin charged rocker with no let up. Much more to the point than their earlier single; the flip shows down a little more for a more conventional rock-type song with cool saxophone breaks.
Yet another INSTIGATORS live tape, displaying their catchy melodic sound. There’s no doubt they’re a great band, but are all these cassettes really necessary?
This exceptional Dutch band comes back with a four-track EP even more impressive with their fine debut album. Passionate female vocals, a biting guitar attack, punchy mid- to fast-tempo punk compositions with melody…what more could you ask for? Great lyrics, too. Buy this now.
Some hot thrash an enjoyable 77-ish punk from these jokers. Lyrics are mostly serious, but inject some silliness in, along with sexist overtones. Pretty good.
All right! Hot mid-tempo punk with a 50s rock’n’roll sound to it. The only set back are the long leads; otherwise, this knocks down the walls!
Both bands (the former now defunct) do the same song. One version comes out like early new wave/pop punk, while the other comes off more 60s garage psych. Fun concept.
Yet another album full of grungy, usually driving noise. Most of this is listenable, a pretty fair reflection of modern, urban bullshit.
Finally some new material, but a letdown. They’ve always been pop, but with a lot of punk punch. In this case, three of four tunes never deliver that wallop, and the other does so sparingly. Boooo!
Totally ridiculous insanity from these dorks. With songs like “Cheddar Cheese Party” and “Annoy the Cat with a Maracca,” you just can’t go wrong. Gooncore rules!
Don’t expect a simple, straight ahead punk rock record here. From the brooding, dark passages that explore into full passioned screams to their mixture of psychedelic and metal, this debut comes across as a mature, well thought-out sound. You hear something new every time you hear it.
Strong musically with almost new wave meets punk meets Three Penny Opera vocals — a more new wave DK’s? Intelligent lyrics, very tight and driving pop punk music, but the singing, though gruff at times, does detract a bit. Different.
Melodic guitar pop abounds on this album, with 60’s pop edges which add a certain charm to the proceedings. Mostly, it’s effective, though all the best hooks seem to be concentrated on Side A. Above average.
There are a couple of really good songs that have the always great combo of heavy rhythm, and melodic craziness. They maintain their own definite originality. The other songs are more of a crooning dirge which is fine, but not as fun. Overall, recommended, though.
Japanese speedcore, complete with lead breaks, mosh breaks, and every manner of instrumental self-indulgence. Good energy, but this is too close to Rock for comfort.
Pee-pee.
An animal rights/human rights approach, packaged in a large fold-out sleeve. Four buzzsaw punk tunes, some medium, some fast, all enraged and powerful. Good effort.
This fan club only release shows good command of a more tasteful speedcore style. Still, there’s a monochromatic element in the songwriting which makes this fall a bit flat, despite good energy and power. Adequate.
Hot thrash with some interesting breaks, but the lyrics take the cake, covering horns, clove cigarettes, beer, and more important topics. Song title of the month: “You Can’t Eat Marx.”
This is the version of DOGGY STYLE that contains the majority of the original members. While this record rocks, it doesn’t quite come across with the humor on first hearing. Musically, good but polished melodic fast punk. Artwork: amazing ripoff of LED ZEP II, sure to draw attention.
Despite the cheesy new wave pop record sleeve, this record has guitars that sound like annoying mosquitoes with an ugly banshee woman screaming lyrics somewhat like the best of LYDIA LUNCH. An inspiring, wild, messy, and ugly record that doesn’t stray at all near melody. Just wonderful.
This band has a big tribal beat like GUN CLUB, punctuated with heavy, fuzz soaked swoops that kind of recall the BIRTHDAY PARTY. There’s real tension throughout where it seems the band is as confused as you as to where they’re going next in the song.
Much more metallic than their demo. CLOWN ALLEY now sounds like a cross between METALLICA and C.O.C., with lyrics that range from topical to abstract. Powerful production, nice packaging, not much guitar wanking. I dig this!
On this love recording of fantastic sound quality, CERESIT delivers an onslaught of some of the best Euro-hardcore I’ve heard lately. Original, powerful, great! Get this!!
I’m a moron. The RIFLES come clear across the world to play in America, and I’m too busy to see them. Fortunately, I’ve got this live show recorded on that tour at their CBGB’s performance. Must have been an incredible show, because these tracks just blaze full of a hard-edged guitar sound.
This Bay Area band has been around for a few years and have built up a small, but growing and devoted following. Musically, it’s a tough call but I’ve a sneaking suspicion these folks think the BUTTHOLE SURFERS are too wimpy and normal. A good taste of their weirdness, and each tape comes especially packaged — some packed in chopped onions, others in old nylon stockings.
Here you can get the GROWTH’s LP, some old demos, and a recent live show all on one cassette! Good, forceful HC, especially the live material.
Okay, this album’s worth on two 7″ers is your basic, hard-to-find-today punk fucking rock. No frills, just basic driving punk with the appropriately pissed off lyrics. A big middle finger to you, too!
An interesting mixture of thrash and melodic punk with topical lyrics. “McPunks” is the standout, musically and lyrically.
Aside from the excellent version of “Release the Bats,” the BIRTHDAY PARTY is not captured to their best advantage on this release. First rate production bolsters the mid-period output of this band moderately, but the material mostly doesn’t stand out.
A great tape divided into a “then” side, 77-ish punk with reggae and pop flavorings, and a “now” side with a more HC sound, with some thrash tunes reminiscent of SOA. Excellent.
Highly percussive punk/post-punk with hot guitar slashing in and out. Sounds like a cross between early punk and some current Chicago bands — meaning delivery, loud but clean and melodic punk.
Yahoo! Great HC in the Italian tradition: powerful thrash with metallic guitar work, but much tighter than many of their peers. Excellent.
A good sampling of tunes from the APOSTLES’ vinyl offerings. A swell introduction to this English outfit’s unique sound.
ANGRY RED PLANET has developed their own unique and accessible punk style, passionate and full of immediacy, and this LP is dynamite when it connects. “Mediocrity” and “Pasturetime”, in particular, show off this hand at their best, but even the less memorable cuts tend to grow on you. Very good!
