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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. We reserve the right to reject releases on the basis of content. Music without vocals or drums will not be considered. All music submitted for review must have been released (or reissued) within the last two years. Please include contact information and let us know where your band is from!
Though DR FEELGOOD didn’t really use too much of the electric organ in their bluesy pub rock sounds. Only trouble here is that their tribute to the FLAMIN’ GROOVIES on the flip is just pedestrian at best. Classy but not a classic.
Alcoholic sickness infects every one of the songs on this loose, funny, disjointed, and original album. One first-rate thrasher, “Wandertag in der DDR”, leads off an assortment of predominantly medium — to slow-tempo sing-alongs that have primitive production, and sound like the band is drunk. And yes, it’s just as engaging as past DURSTIGE MANN releases.
Positively lives up to its title. This is a must for any fan of Swedish garage, or any garage music. This swirling, howling mess of psych/R&B power has all the elements of a classic. I can hear the best bits of the YARDBIRDS, VAN MORRISON, and THEM, even the ZOMBIES, but these are all brought up to date to make a sound that should have the NOMADS looking over their shoulder for a long time to come. Essential.
An interesting mixture of musical influences and strong, simple lyric message. Side A features a mid-tempo guitar chant punk song and one polka poetry number, while Sid B lets out a dance/rap tune dominated by a repetitious horn off. Nothing that outstanding, but the ideas and effort shouldn’t be ignored.
Strong crash-and-bang stuff here, with lyrics in German and English. Impressive, with lots of drive and power, especially on “Weibt Du Est?”
This is the second LP by this Australian band and it contains some remixes on certain songs. Very different from the LP (their third) reviewed last issue. Anyway, this band follows all the great traditions set down by bands like the MC5, STOOGES, RADIO BIRDMAN, and the SAINTS. Some outstanding, hard-hitting rock with even some soft ballads thrown in.
I’m sure there are plenty of die-hard fans out there that’ll think this is cool but as far as I’m concerned this is amore like HUMPERDINCK or BELAFONTE, string section and all, rather than his down and dirty self. Oh well.
Fun, goofy psych outfit that has just a trace of the early ’79 punk rock sound. You can even hear a trace of JOHNNY THUNDERS hiding in the sneering of their singer.
Three more metallish hardcore tunes, the title track plus “10, 5 or a Dime” and “Gotta Get Out of Here”. The latter is the hottest except for the little guitar flourishes. Guess they’re good at what they do.
A fine release from a new BRISTLES lineup. On this EP, there are two catchy ’77-style punkers and one good thrasher. All the songs have power and definite sing-along potential Another winner from Rosa Honung.
This French band has a knack for hard-edged post-punk with a good sense of energy, even if they uncharacteristically lag behind in the melodic sense. “Gom Jabbar” is a slow, tasteful dub, though the other three songs are more spirited.
This posthumous release captures ASTA KASK in eleven songs recorded live just this year. Sound quality is good, the performance spirited, and songs up to that trademark quality. Can’t say it captures all the excitement but it will have to do won’t it? Get this record.
Sounds like a more inaccessible version of the SUBHUMANS UK, combining different sounds and thoughtful lyrics. Personally, I liked the words better than the music.
This Greek band is able to perform various styles, paces and moods very well. There are early punk — hook laden — rockers, psychedelic punk tunes and slower melodic crooning. And all of it has strength of arrangement and intensity. Quite eclectic and all in all an absorbing record that has some great moments.
These guys remind me of a really early FALL with a rhythm machine. Screaming to whispers vocal prowess, strong lyrics (I do wish they’d included a lyric sheet), noisy , stark and intense. I’d rather hear a real drummer, but this is definitely a refreshing release for lovers of early Brit post-punk.
On this great Scottish release, AOA sport seven songs centered around a fast thrash sound that is well defined by all the instrumentals; the vocals are shouted and keep up to the music’s pounding pace. OI POLLOI shred out all six songs, all of which are no less than enthusiastically executed — clear, melodic, hard-hitting music. Raging!
Sounds like SSD in their “Get it Away” days: pile driving thrash and slower bulldozing noise with personal/positive lyrics. It rocks, and the price is right too!
Found this in LA with no pic cover, saw it had eight really short songs, and took a chance. Glad I did. While not spectacular these songs are rapid-fire blasts with gnarly vocals, and lots of energy. Inscription on B-side vinyl: “Skinheads sing in nuke rain”.
Musically, a close relation to early MINOR THREAT crossed with that of a younger DAG NASTY. If you groove with this string melodic HC sound and personal lyrics, then there’s a good chance you will enjoy this new 7-song release. An energetic and sincere effort.
A comp LP taken from the various tapes being released by CBGB as well, Lots of pop/new wave/trendy stuff, and the only redeeming cuts are by LUDICHRIST.
Apparently Mystic does still consider these samplers necessary. This one includes tracks from other recent Mystic released by GOVERNMENT ISSUE, WHITE FLAG, PTL KLUB, ILL REPUTE, MENTORS, FACTION, AGRESSION and several samplers. Me, I’m unconvinced.
A really great garage compilation featuring all Midwestern contemporary bands. Sounds range from 60s punk, surf, mid-70’s punk, psychobilly, and beyond. Hot stuff from MANGOS, ELVIS HITLER, MYSTERY BLUES, 3-D INVISIBLES, and lots, lots more.
A Buffalo area comp, featuring punk and garage trash. Thoroughly enjoyable, raging madness, a must for all indie collectors. Features, PAINKILLERS, PEOPLE’S FRONT, POKACON, TEMPLE OF CHUD.
The second LP by the group led by ex-PERE UBU guitarist Tom Herman. The trick here is a sharp, clear mix of the early UBU paranoia and the driving punk/funk edge of the MINUTEMEN. All the hooks and melodies are feinted and stick with you long after the music’s over. Tasty.
Full speed ahead metalcore, with a couple straight HC numbers as well. Lots of power and tempo changes make this a hot tape from these Bay Area bangers.
While metallic in the beat (and perhaps the growling vocals), the overwhelming feel of both tracks is power punk a la ’77. Hard heat, powerful but non-metal guitar, and decent lyrics.
Out of Texas blazes this eight song ripper. Owing some of their sound to fellow Texans DRI and the OFFENDERS, I think you can form an idea of how they rock. Hot!
Grungy marching thrash with hoarse vocals similar to NEGATIVE APPROACH. This tape contains six speedy blasts plus a slow grinder which stands out from the rest.
Insanely silly! This is rockin punk with lyrics about religious surfers, urinating, vanilla ice cream, and other topical subjects. Also memorable are the hilarious elements between songs. A total crackup!
Two different recording sessions are mixed together here — one done in DC in ’85 by Ian MacKaye, and one done by BYO in LA in ’86. The DC sessions rock hard while maintaining that 7 SECONDS melodic appeal, while the LA tunes are decidedly more commercial sounding, with a U2 influence. Fortunately, 7 SECONDS makes even these tunes sound great live.
SAND IN THE FACE have a hard-sounding DOA structure to begin with but they’re not afraid of diversity and melody. They seem to mix both HC and thrash with mid-tempo early punk sounds that recall the best of the ALLEYCATS and X.
After all these years, SACRED ORDER finally get their own vinyl out. Sounding very little like their tapes of yore, the thrash is gone and is replaced by a heavy rock/punk sound. On some of the songs, that makes it work as an early punk sound emerges predominant. But on many tunes, the old rock blues-based riffs just don’t cut it. Enough with this early 70’s rehash.
This debut LP comes across with a good measure of honesty and credibility — and that would be enough, but there are some catchy melodies mixed in with the fine lyrics to make this album a winner. This is punk in the best sense of the word: aggressive, original and committed. Most of the songs are nifty, too. A strong release.
“Crummy Stuff” is the draw here, though not really a knockout with tinges of synth here and there. “Something to Believe in” rears its ugly head again, and the painfully slow rock number, “And I Don’t Wanna Live this Life” is the finale.
Because some people can’t really appreciate the fine act of sarcasm and irony, the PREVARICATORS have been too easily dismissed as a joke band or maybe just jerks. Too bad, because this is one band that consistently gets better with each new release. With both their sharp, pointed lyrics that attach stupidity and their full-charged guitar thrust, I keep getting reminded of NAKED RAYGUN at their best.
At long last it’s out, and well worth it. Proving that life exists after metal (or at least hardcore does), this is a power-paced assault without a tinge of dinosaur damage. Very pro package by Pushead, though there’s no lyric sheet included, and Tom Roberts has got to be seen to be believed. A powerful punch. Now.. if they’d only tour.
A very hot mix, and sound (I know, I know… “but they’re on Mystic”… It’s still hot), and eight really ripping thrashers, no metal, lots of power. Good record.
Largely juvenile lyrics (except one song “Distracted from the Truth,” which shows some subtlety and thought) set to older garage and punk tempos. Well produced though with such a trashy aesthetic, perhaps it could have been cruder.
Psychedelic tinges weave their way through these two songs, which have strong female vocals and an agreeable sense of melody. These racks don’t really take off into orbit, but the A-side rocks solidly and the flip boasts a pleasant, up-tempo ballad. I liked this.
Basically this is a one man show by a guy named Mark Edwards who had drummed with a number of Cleveland punk and garage bands. Normally I tend to hate these one-man solo albums but this is a kicker. If you’ve ever heard bootlegs of very early JOY DIVISION before they discovered the recording studio, then you have an idea of what this sounds like. Rough, murky guitar sounds with great shitty production.
JAN AND DEAN meets the RAMONES? Yup. Since I’m a fan of 50’s music, and that NY quartet’s ’77-ish sound, I enjoyed this, especially the silly lyrics. A whole lotta fun.
This live tape shows New York’s LUDICHRIST at their best, with wailing guitars, jarring tempo changes, and mind blowing power. Get some of this screaming intensity on vinyl.
This is the second record by the IGUANAS who were also on the Fresh Sounds Compilation #3. And again they bring out the heavy sound of the early STOOGES into the eighties. Sometimes the singer slips into a SISTERS OF MERCY tone, but that can be forgiven for the simple grunge that’s accomplished. One of the neatest records I’ve heard this year.
Ultra-fast thrash similar to DRI or CAUSE FOR ALARM with personal and political words. The sound quality detracts a little, but with time, these guys could develop into an awesome force.
This band covers typical MENTORS lyric territory with less satiric justification, and plays excruciating guitar rock with flailing leads that bored me to the point of wanting to make this sucker into an ashtray. But then I realized that I may be able to trade it to my local record store…
Really good mid-fast paced hardcore, a good variety of tempos, lots of oomph, that SoCal melodic thrash sound, and really tight playing all make for good listening. Mystic’s new recording studio is way better than their Hollywood set-up, and this (along with a whole slew of new 7″ers) is proof.
The cover pic (of the space shuttle explosion) is only the beginning of the offbeat, twisted message. The music has thundering drums and the great combination of rockin’ and experimental guitar work. The vocals are angry and slide toward an expected demented nature, but are demanding at the same time. A great documentation of how bad taste can be used for creative communication.
A posthumous release, six songs in all including a cover of GENERATION X’s “Your Generation” and MAMAS AND THE PAPAS’s “California Dreamin”. The originals mix the FACTION’s pop/surf punk style with a DOA-type hardcore sound, while the covers are credible. Good power.
Slow tempo but rough as hell garage punk. Definitely in the STOOGES school of grunge, a 5-song raw assault. Hear this is WHITE PRIDE minus the singer.
From the masters of sex-starved geek rock comes a new 10 song LP filed with silly fast goof songs and power pop love songs. When I listen to this record I get a mental picture of a high school teen love problem movie for which I think this LP would be an appropriate soundtrack.
