PunkRockReview.org- Band Review

Piston Slap – “7 Song Demo” – I wish I could tell you something about this band. Unfortunately it sounds like someone stuck the microphone up their ass + then pushed record on their Fisher Price cassette recorder. The music was so muffled & distorted that the sound came out as an unrecognizable ball of noise. Piston Slap could be an amazing band or they could be the worst thing since Nelson. Either way I will never know, but based up on the butt trumpet recording all I heard was random noise.

***Note To Future Reviewee’s*** Send something the reviewer can actually attempt to listen to, other wise don’t your time or money to send it.

****Revision**** Since the review went up Piston Slap contacted me and asked if I would take a listen to some of their other songs. They said these were of a better quality recording. I listened to a few other songs and though the recording was still pretty rough, I could hear what sounded like some hared skate punk style music always, but not quite hardcore. I really think that either live or given the right opportunity to record Piston Slap could be a pretty good band that I would really enjoy.

Also I have a lot of respect for someone who receives a pretty negative review and writes me not to get mad about a review rather with conviction and says let's try that again. Just that alone made me a fan of these guys, but the better recording helped too.

Maybe you'll have better luck - http://www.myspace.com/piston5  

Posted by Jonny Taint at 03:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Retardos De La Mour – “S/T” – Experimental, Psychedelic, New Wave, Rock, drawn out, weird to be weird songs. If I was just reviewing based upon flashback inducing music, this CD would be right behind The Beatles (later years) & The Doors. This is some weird shit!

  They seem to use every instrument & sound known to man through out the course of this righteous adventure of psychedelic fuzz. Maybe you need to be in a chemically induced state to enjoy this CD? At 1^st the multiple uses of sounds is interesting, but after you get through the initial blast of weirdness it gets to be exhausting to follow, let alone enjoy. This could be an interesting party, background music CD or the soundtrack to some serial killer movie, but other than that I’d have to say this CD is too out there for me.

Don't take my word for it, listen for yourself at http://www.myspace.com/retardosdelamour   

Posted by Jonny Taint at 03:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Civil Blitzkrieg – “7 Songs To Kill Time & Brain Cells” – Teenage angst influenced street punk, fast enough to get the blood pumping through your veins, but bouncy enough for you to follow along with. The singer’s voice could sand the splitters off a 2x4 and the simple rhythm of the instruments gets your foot tapping and head nodding.

    While Civil Blitzkrieg are fun & entertaining the recording that I got started to annoy the fuck out of me. The drums sound like somebody beating on the top of a 5 gallon drum. After I noticed it, my head began to pound like I’d been out on a week long liquor induced bender. Honestly I know it was the recording, not the band, but it still annoyed me.

        Civil Blitzkrieg ends “7 Songs To Kill Time & Brain Cells” with a great cover of Against Me’s song “Sink, Florida, Sink”. I’m not really a fan of Against Me, so I would much rather listen to this raspy rendition, then the original any day of the week.

You'll find them at, http://civilblitzkrieg.awardspace.com/index.html 

Posted by Jonny Taint at 03:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Moral Crux – “Boseman Live 2003 Limited Edition CD” – I was lucky enough to get #14 of 200 limited edition CD’s a couple weeks ago and was waiting in anticipation until I it was in my greedy little hands. If you’ve never heard this long time political pop punk band, then you’re 12 years old & new to punk or just an unlucky excuse for a fan of punk. There aren’t a lot of good politically charged pop punk bands, but if any can be half as good as Moral Crux, then there should be a lot more for us to listen to.

  The CD isn’t the best when it comes to sound quality, but it is better then most live recordings. This was one hell of a song with a mix of 22 of their best songs. Moral Crux goes way back to some of their early songs, up until their most recent. It would be torture if I was forced to choose my favorite songs, so I won’t. If you get a chance to get a copy of this CD somehow, sell your blood if you must, it will be worth it. Plus the nice light headed feeling from the blood loss will be a bonus.

Go To their new Record Label www.Jailhouse-records.com  for more info.

Posted by Jonny Taint at 02:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Bloody Irish Boys - "Drunk Rock" - I had heard a few songs by the Bloody Irish Boys about a year ago and have wished since, that I could hear a little more of what they have to offer. Well ladies & gentlemen my wish has been granted. So as you can imagine I was pretty stoked to get this CD in my first review package from Mohawk Radio. This Celtic Punk band can best be described as 50% Flogging Molly & 50% Social Distortion. Their singer (Shane Underwood) has a voice almost identical to that of, Mike Ness. It is highly apparent that Social Distortion is a major influence on the majority of the songs and they make it sound damn good. So much so that the Bloody Irish Boys song, "My Wicked Way" is instrumentally similar to the Social D song "Story of my life", but with fiddles and different lyrics. The title "Drunk Rock" is a fitting title for this beer soaked CD. Every song mentions drinking in one form or another each song is still a well thought out Irish tale of family, friends, & hardships. This is a fun, energetic & blue collar CD that is a must have for any fan of Celtic Punk, Social Distortion, or just plain old good music. This CD is filled to the rim with great songs, but my favorite would have to be "Full Moon". Take a listen for yourself and you will understand why I like it so much with all of the emotion that was put into the lyrics.

.Checkout their website at www.thebloodyirishboys.com

 

Posted by Jonny Taint at 02:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Darlington “Live in Dallas 2007" - I've listened to Darlington now on & off for the last 7 years. When I first heard Darlington, I thought the song "Slumber Party" was an incredible song. Actually, I was listening to the Darlington/Huntington's split and was more interested in The Darlington Songs than The Huntingtons. Through the 7 years since, I've felt that Darlington's music was…..well, Hit or Miss. However, with that being said I was wasn't sure what to expect from this CD. I like some Darlington songs A LOT, but others are sometimes too lovey dovey and mainstream for me.

  So I first look to see what tracks there were and I recognized a bunch of titles and I was optimistic I might like it. After listening I was thoroughly impressed with the song selection and the sound quality for a show recording. This CD could be a hoppy, boppy, bubblegum punk soundtrack for any Punk Rock Prom. Yeah, most of the songs are about girls & sex done in a poppy way, but damn is he an entertaining songwriter. Honestly before hearing this CD I might have had 2nd thoughts about going to a Darlington show, but now I would be there in a second. If you’re an open minded pop punk fan check this CD out, you might be surprised of how good it is. 4/5

Check out Darlington at;

http://www.darlingtonsex.com/

http://www.myspace.com/darlington

http://www.darlingtonmusic.com/

Posted by Jonny Taint at 02:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Power Is Poison "Hunger, Hate, + War" - Whoa, this CD has more crust then day old French bread! Fast as hell hardcore crust punk. At first listen I wasn't too interested, but instead of writing this off, I decided to give it another chance. After listening few more times, I found myself sub-consciously enjoying this CD. I can't say that I'd listen to this album everyday, but when in the right state of mind it could definitely find its way onto my play list. If I wanted to get my blood flowing, energy boosted, or just kick someone ass, this would be what I would listen to. This is some of the toughest "Punk as Fuck, Knuckle Sandwich, Spiked Ring, and CD’s I've heard in a few years. They really remind me of some of the old bands I would see at City Gardens. NYHC influenced smash a bottle over your head, politically charged, angry crust bands. 3/5

Check them out at; http://www.myspace.com/powerispoison 

Posted by Jonny Taint at 02:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Public Uproar "6 Song demo” - Berkley Style punk with just enough pop added to make their style similar to the early days of Rancid. Folks it doesn't get better then this when it comes to a pop driven punk band. I've listen to this album over 15 times, oh yeah I counted and the lyrics & beat still remain in my head. The best songs would have to be "Look Back," "War & Catastrophe," and "Choke Hold." Although every song on here is perfectly written and very well played out, I would have to say those three are the best. This album is a must have and it has yet to leave my favorite on my IPOD. I look forward to hearing more from these guys and know they have a great future ahead of them. GO NOW AND BUY THE CD DON'T BE A DUMMY! 5/5

Check them out at;  

http://www.myspace.com/publicuproar

http://www.publicuproar.com/ 

Posted by Jonny Taint at 02:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Positives (Formally HIV & The Positives) - "Three Song Demo" - It seems to me after changing there name, they also found their own niche & sound. I had previously reviewed these guys earlier this year and compared their sound to what an early Screeching Weasel might have sounded like. Yeah it was quite a compliment and comparison, but they had the raw sound. With these demo's they seemed to find their own sound and it makes them have a more cohesive sound. Don't get me wrong they don't stray far from that Chicago raspy pop punk sound, but this time around their talent and teen angst shows through. I really enjoy their song "Becky's In Rehab" and listen to it often. These young guys have something that I can't put my finger on, but I get the feeling we'll be hearing more about them in the future. 4/5

They can be heard at; http://www.myspace.com/thepositiveschicago  

Posted by Jonny Taint at 02:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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9:18 - "Kill The DJ" – Catchy Pop Punk hooks with a splash of Reggae, but the singer (Kieran Tintle) seems to hold back on his energy & passion when he sings. Since the songs are lacking the full emotion or passion it made them hollow and empty to me. The music just comes off as a little too safe & reserved. However, if that energy can be brought out or (Kieran Tintle) just let loose his full vocal range in the songs they would come across with a lot more presence.  The songs were OK at best and didn't do anything to keep my attention. 9:18 needs to find something to reach through the speakers, grab you by the shirt, and pull you in. It just wasn't in the songs I heard. The title song "Kill The DJ" was somewhat ironic to me because what they are singing about describes what I was hearing from their music; Watered down, radio safe music with nothing to separate them from the assembly line of mall punk, just like them. 3/5

They can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/nine18

Posted by Jonny Taint at 02:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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