Catholic Boys – ‘Psychic
Voodoo Mind Control’ (Trickknee)
The MP3s of this disc have been floating around since
last fall, but it’s only been in the last couple months that the disc has been
officially released (and still isn’t on vinyl!). If you’re as bored as I am
with all the third-rate Supersuckers/Dwarves clones and Scandinavian hard rock
bands that pass for “punk n roll” these days, you’ll have to agree it’s about
damn time this disc is officially out there. Combine the New Bomb Turks
‘Destroy Oh Boy!’ LP with the first LP from Die Kreuzen, and you can get an idea
of the chaos going on here. The 30-second “Hate Attraction” followed up by
“When Yer Not Here” is the high-point of the LP; but with 15 songs in 24 minutes
and no obvious clunkers, the whole disc is a great listen. (Russ Romance)
Fans
of early 80s punk would probably guess that there’s a pretty heavy early Redd
Kross influence going on here. Yep, they obviously got their name from the RK
tune (for the record, all 3 members have dicks) and the influence can be heard
here. I think the Descendents ‘Milo Goes to College’ LP may be a better
reference point, though. But whichever way you look at it, this is some great
early 80s style poppy punk. Side 1 concentrates on the punk side of things with
6 songs in as many minutes. Side 2 gets a little poppier with tunes like “Don’t
Take Your Life” and “End of a Fantasy”. For a new band with young members,
these guys are already on their way to finding their own sound despite the
obvious influences mentioned. First LP that could be classified as “pop-punk”
that I remember liking in a LONG time. (Russ Romance)
Hailing
from The Big Apple, rock 'n' roller Rob Carlyle formed The Compulsions in 2002.
He has been backed by musicians such as Hubert Sumlin, Richard Fortus, Jay Dee
Dougherty, Jimmy Grillo, John Weber, and Chris Wei. On this EP, "21 Powers
Street", Carlyle (vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitar) is joined by George
Seville (lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Abe Frishman on bass, and
drummer Jimmy Ansourian.
From the first
beats of "Jungle Disease", I knew I'd be hooked on "21 Powers Street". Each song
flows very nicely with hard-hitting beats and great, catchy vocals. I found it
very easy to nod along and tap my foot throughout the entire EP. The seventies-esque
guitars and vocals give a refreshing new sound that I really enjoyed. All in
all, I really enjoyed The Compulsions' effort on "21 Powers Street". The band is
also featured on two compilation CDs, "New York City Rock 'n' Roll" and "Sound
from the Underground". If you get the chance, go to their
website and check out how to
purchase a CD or where to catch them live!! (Melani Alleshouse)
DU began as a
one-man project from Ryan (ex-Reatards/Wongs) that self-released a 3 song 7”.
That single impressed his former bandmate enough for him to cover one of those
songs in his current band Lost Sounds. And now, Jay and Alissa convinced Ryan
to return to Memphis to record a DU full-length. The band is now a 3-piece with
Jay on guitar, Alissa on synths and Ryan handling the vocals, bass and drums.
Those familiar with the member’s other projects won’t find any major surprises
here – but this record is a LOT more pissed-off sounding, and verges close to
early 80s hardcore at times. Some of the record blurs together at times, but
songs like “Race/Time” and “Let’s Lie” are top-notch and none of it is bad. If
you thought Black Flag’s “Damaged” could’ve been better with a synth, check out
this disc. (Russ Romance)
The MP3s of this disc have been floating around since
last fall, but it’s only been in the last couple months that the disc has been
officially released (and still isn’t on vinyl!). If you’re as bored as I am
with all the third-rate Supersuckers/Dwarves clones and Scandinavian hard rock
bands that pass for “punk n roll” these days, you’ll have to agree it’s about
damn time this disc is officially out there. Combine the New Bomb Turks
‘Destroy Oh Boy!’ LP with the first LP from Die Kreuzen, and you can get an idea
of the chaos going on here. The 30-second “Hate Attraction” followed up by
“When Yer Not Here” is the high-point of the LP; but with 15 songs in 24 minutes
and no obvious clunkers, the whole disc is a great listen. (Russ Romance)
Fans
of early 80s punk would probably guess that there’s a pretty heavy early Redd
Kross influence going on here. Yep, they obviously got their name from the RK
tune (for the record, all 3 members have dicks) and the influence can be heard
here. I think the Descendents ‘Milo Goes to College’ LP may be a better
reference point, though. But whichever way you look at it, this is some great
early 80s style poppy punk. Side 1 concentrates on the punk side of things with
6 songs in as many minutes. Side 2 gets a little poppier with tunes like “Don’t
Take Your Life” and “End of a Fantasy”. For a new band with young members,
these guys are already on their way to finding their own sound despite the
obvious influences mentioned. First LP that could be classified as “pop-punk”
that I remember liking in a LONG time. (Russ Romance)
Hailing
from The Big Apple, rock 'n' roller Rob Carlyle formed The Compulsions in 2002.
He has been backed by musicians such as Hubert Sumlin, Richard Fortus, Jay Dee
Dougherty, Jimmy Grillo, John Weber, and Chris Wei. On this EP, "21 Powers
Street", Carlyle (vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitar) is joined by George
Seville (lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Abe Frishman on bass, and
drummer Jimmy Ansourian.
DU began as a
one-man project from Ryan (ex-Reatards/Wongs) that self-released a 3 song 7”.
That single impressed his former bandmate enough for him to cover one of those
songs in his current band Lost Sounds. And now, Jay and Alissa convinced Ryan
to return to Memphis to record a DU full-length. The band is now a 3-piece with
Jay on guitar, Alissa on synths and Ryan handling the vocals, bass and drums.
Those familiar with the member’s other projects won’t find any major surprises
here – but this record is a LOT more pissed-off sounding, and verges close to
early 80s hardcore at times. Some of the record blurs together at times, but
songs like “Race/Time” and “Let’s Lie” are top-notch and none of it is bad. If
you thought Black Flag’s “Damaged” could’ve been better with a synth, check out
this disc. (Russ Romance)