Reviews

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!

Fatal Rage Fatal Rage LP

An eminently likable new album. The music here fluctuates between primitive mid-tempo punk (“Jump and Die”, “Fatal Mistake”), faster punk (“Struggle”, “Yelling”), and semi-thrashers (“V.O.A.”, “Copy Bands”). FATAL RAGE has a chunky guitar assault and a knack for writing tunes with a hook you can grab onto. Although the lyrics are a little cryptic and hard to decipher, they seem to be generally OK; one exception is the aforementioned “Copy Bands,” which is just plain dumb. Still, I definitely recommend this record.

Jerry’s Kids Is This My World? LP

An adventure into hyperactive, full-tilt, bulldozing quickness and thundering power. This overwhelming supply of burning rapid-fire speed destroys the mold, exploding into maniac doses of invincible strength and energy. Bolting drums, high-velocity crooning, and hysterically blistering wild guitars (featuring ex-GANG GREEN axeman Chris Doherty). JERRY’S KIDS totally shred the eardrums to mincemeat. For the fast fanatic’s cravings; the essence of what other will try to duplicate.

Kilslug Necktie Party EP

Twisted stuff that’s mystical, dark, depressing, maybe even fascistic. Like the darker side of FLIPPER, KILSLUG’s noise is slow, falling, and nauseating. They’re undoubtedly worth checking out live, if you want to be set on edge.

The Long Ryders 10-5-60 12″

The LONG RYDERS are a highly touted neo-’60s band from Southern California. Their debut EP contains a potpourri of ’60s styles, including folk-rock (“Join My Gang”), a rousing guitar-oriented rocker (“10-5-60″), and MASON PROFFIT-type country rock (the rest). They waste too much time on the latter for my taste, but the epic quality of the title song demonstrates that they’re capable of occasional greatness.

The Micronotz Smash! 12″

By some inexplicable oversight, the (MORTAL) MICRONOTZ’ neat debut album never got reviewed in MRR. That was a big mistake, because it was filled with raw garage spume that deserved to get more attention. In any case, their new 12″ is even better—tighter, more solid, more developed, and just generally bitchin’. All the songs are coherent, the guitars growl, and the vocals have a snotty ’60s aesthetic.

Misguided Population Live cassette

This is one of the worst things I’ve ever heard, and the sheer awfulness of it accounts for whatever value it might have. These two guys take a punch of punk and heavy metal covers and totally trash them. I mean, they are so noisy and unmusical, they make SUBURBAN MUTILATION sound like studio musicians. You decide if that’s a compliment.

Nuclear Crayons Nameless EP

Experimental punk from out of the grave. The NUCLEAR CRAYONS’ sound is dense and abrasive; their tempo is slow; their aesthetic is similar to FLIPPER’s; their musical structure is somewhat arty; and their lyrics are rather cryptic (especially in “Political Punk”). All in all, I prefer their more focused cuts on the Mixed Nuts Don’t Crack compilation.

No Response More Pollution from Green Bay cassette

Did some alien spores from Outer Space land near a farm outside this Wisconsin town some twenty-odd years ago, and impregnate the helpless local population? That’s the question I must ask after hearing this tape, which in the S.U.M. tradition combines twisted vocals, psychotic instrumentation, and a raw sound quality into a wonderfully deranged listening experience.

The Not Break Free tape

Hard-edged power-pop with definite Mod influences. The vocals are a bit reminiscent of early Jonathan Richman, and the music also has traces of those MODERN LOVERS, along with the early Jolt and Jam. Unfortunately, they try to cover the TROGGS’ “Lost Girl,” which proves to be a disastrous failure, but then nobody is quite like the TROGGS.

The Nothings Alot to Learn 12″

If you thought the SEX PISTOLS’ sound was dead in 1983, you’ve got “a lot to learn,” because this Southern California group is the mirror image of the PISTOLS stylistically. They’ve got the same crunching rhythm attack and wall-of-sound guitar (courtesy of Steve Jones’ production?); on the Rotten one’s vocals are missing. Highly recommended for nostalgia buffs.

Offbeats Why Do You Hang Out? EP

Ohio’s OFFBEATS provide eight lunging melodies of eager exhilaration and swiftness. Strong voltage carries a cargo of stimulation and singalong strutters with scorching boom-crazed guitar. Action-packed juices flow wildly with each agile OFFBEAT firebolt. Like the label states, “Smell the fun.”

Arkansaw Man Every Job/Mark Twain 7″

Good production and fascinating song structures distinguish this new release by ARKANSAW MAN. Post-punk influences are softened by lively tempos and the addition of a brass section, and there’s certainly more than enough originality on this record to make it a solid contender.

Biohazard Social Menace cassette

A bunch of 13- and 14-year-olds, bored with the beauty of the Monterey peninsula, crank out some primitive, amateurish thrash. The production on this homemade tape is so bad that it’s hard to decipher the songs, but there’s plenty of compensatory youthful spunk. For fans of recording in a breadbox.

Capitol Punishment Two-Party System EP

CAPITOL PUNISHMENT finally raised enough money to put out an EP, and it’s well worth the wait. Musically, there’s three strong thrashers and one slow, measured mood piece (“Jody Is My Bloody Love”), all distinguished by Ralph’s amazingly raspy singing; the lyrics alternate between personal introspection (“Wrong Direction”) and the kind of straightforward political critiques that invariably drive the apolitical wimps into a frenzy. Hooray!

Cause for Alarm Parasite EP

Blistering thrash with positive, idealistic lyrics. This is one of the best new bands I’ve heard since DRI. CAUSE FOR ALARM have the type of intense, committed attack that leaps out of the speakers and slaps you in the face to get your attention; then they get you thinking. You can’t expect any more from a punk band, so don’t ignore this EP.

Circle One Patterns of Force LP

A very interesting record. Musically, it’s mostly well-done thrash, with some slower, lighter touches thrown in. It sounds good. Lyrically, it’s an odd combination. There are progressive anti-capitalist (unite against the rich man and his power, manipulation) and anti-racist (don’t let them divide us by color) sentiments. But then there are some glaring contradictions too, such as religious fervor—the blaming of man’s evil (including homosexuality) on Satan, the apocalypse as predicted in the Bible, our need to accept “Him.” Anyone for the People’s Temple?

Convicted Can’t Stand Me EP

This is a raw ’77-style punk EP characterized by teenage vocals and an overall naive quality. At first, it seems laughably amateur, but after awhile, it really begins to grow on you, especially the cool title song. I like it, but listen for yourself.

Dead Hippie Living Dead LP

DEAD HIPPIE present highly produced punk in a variety of styles familiar to Angelenos. Some of their material approximates thrash, some is metallish, and some falls into the horrific death cult genre. I suspect that these people have been around for a while, because there’s more here than can be found on a typical vinyl debut from a previously unknown band.

Detonators Emergency Broadcast Systems LP

Hardcore that reminds me a bit of early SOCIAL DISTORTION, CH3, or YOUTH BRIGADE, while still retaining its distinctiveness. The DETONATORS use harmonies and what appears to be an acoustic-sounding guitar in their medium-to-fast-tempo songs, yet they have a lot of power and a certain edge. This album contains the classic “Do You Understand.” Great lyrics, too.

Hüsker Dü Metal Circus 12″

Damn, those HÜSKERS sure can play! Their new EP elevates the musical brilliance of their last album to dizzying new heights. Not only are these songs loud, powerful, and creative, but Bob manages to produce the most extraordinary guitar sound—it actually shimmers. Buy this and keep yourself entertained for months.

Iron Cross Hated and Proud EP

This new IRON CROSS EP represents a step forward for the band. For one thing, the lyrics are vastly better, especially in “Wolf Pack,” where a stand is taken against mindless violence. For another, the songwriting is more developed. Finally, the production is much improved from a technical standpoint, though I personally prefer the gravelly guitar sound on their debut. “You’re a Rebel” is an amazingly catchy Oi chant.

Jason Didit Sell Me Some Beer / You’re Bringing Me Down 7″

This geek probably wishes he could be David Lee Roth, but he ends up sounding more like GG ALLIN due to sheer ineptitude. “Beer” is dumb old American garage punk , which is somewhat marred by a tacky synth solo; the rock ’n’ roll flip is too horrible to contemplate for more than two seconds.

Love Circus Mary Go Around 7″

This is weird but ultimately unsatisfying. The A-side consists of a medley of old soul songs done in a neo-psychedelic style, but these LOVE CIRCUS versions pale before the great originals (“My Girl,” “Car Wash,” and “Sex Machine”). The flip, which starts out slow and druggy, then snaps into a jangly overdrive, is considerably better.

Marching Plague Rock’n’Roll Asshole EP

A fuzzed-out bass and guitar are the musical hallmarks here, along with real echoey drumming. These guys unfortunately seem to have it in for hippies, who are the targets of three of the five songs on this EP, including a retarded racist diatribe against Yoko Ono (“Oh No”). Pathetic in the thematic department.

Minutemen Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat 12″

As most of our readers already know, the MINUTEMEN have a very innovative sound that combines funk, jazziness, and disjointed semi-thrash. On this new EP, they add some atmospheric psychedelic guitar and other forms of weirdness. I like some of it a lot, especially “Cut,” but most of it is too experimental for my tastes.

Moral Majority Dance Band Little Bit EP

The MORAL MAJORITY DANCE BAND present raunchy slow-to-mid-tempo garage punk on their debut EP. The vocalist sounds demented, the production is nice and raw, and the lyrics to the title song are very provocative: “There’s a little bit of a Nazi / In all of us.” Unfortunately, that’s all too true, in the sense that everyone has occasional attacks of righteous intolerance. A pretty damn good record.

Naked Raygun Basement Screams 12″

The long-awaited NAKED RAYGUN EP has finally been released, and musically it’s a beauty. The songwriting is extremely imaginative, the vocals are unbelievably catchy, and the unique fuzzed-out guitar work sounds wonderful. The only problems here are one klunky track (“Swingo”) and some suspect lyrics in “Tojo.”

Nihilistics Nihilistics LP

Even though I don’t always agree with their opinions, the NIHILISTICS provide more food for thought than 90% of today’s hardcore bands. And their music is as brutal, uncompromising, and cacophonous as their lyrical assault. This great album is jam-packed with raw, intense blasts of a furor borne of futility. It certainly doesn’t make for easy listening, but it rivets your attention and makes for provocative listening, which is ultimately a hell of a lot more important. A mandatory purchase.

The Proletariat Soma Holiday LP

A lot of Boston bands sound great, but few—if any—have the political sophistication displayed by the PROLETARIAT on their debut album. I would liken them to the early GANG OF FOUR, both musically and ideologically, though the comparison shouldn’t be overdrawn. They create equally complex structures, but they replace GANG OF FOUR’s sparseness with a full-bodied sound and punky guitar power. In fact, they’ve mixed several straightforward punk blasts (like “Torn Curtain”) in with the other stuff. A fabulous record that renews my faith in Bosstown.

The Accüsed / Rejectors Split LP

These two Seattle bands have a side each to get across their points. Live, the REJECTORS are the stronger band, but on this record they lack a certain explosiveness and come off a bit generic. On the other hand, the ACCUSED seem to have more snarl, zip, and variety here. Oh yeah, you’ll also learn why all Seattle punks say “do the Frog.”