Monday, November 18, 2013

Demo Reviews – February 2012

HOOKERS MADE OUT OF COCAINE – A sigh of disappointment and an eye-roll from me on this band's name and the title of their practice space demo, 'Whoricane.' What we have here is a drum/bass two-piece that play catchy, sometimes-sludgy punk with both members singing (mostly) in unison. Without being a throwback band in any sense, this has a distinctive punk-turning-into-hardcore vibe that had me thinking of Southern California in the early 80s. Half of the song names are seemingly arbitrary combinations of numbers and letters (e.g. S-319), suggesting these are working titles, or perhaps something weirder, I really couldn't tell you. (Will) (7-track CD-R, no lyrics included, donovantroth@aim.com)

FAMILY STONED – This demo finds FAMILY STONED expanding from a base of fuzzy garage rock into more cosmic dimensions, hopping between the throbbing pulse of krautrock and the bedroom psych of 80s revivalists THE RAIN PARADE without getting stuck too long on any one particular kick. I got really stoked at one point on what sounded like a perfect homage to the homespun glory of NEIL YOUNG's best work, only to quickly realize I was in fact listening to a cover of his "Helpless." Ha! This tape feels like a lazy Olympia summer full of bongwater stains and faint, sentimental memories. Highly recommended, recommended for the high. (Will) (5-song cassette, no lyrics included, thefamilystonedolympia@gmail.com)

LITTLE MISS AND THE NO NAMES – Brash, smarmy, and fun as all hell, LITTLE MISS AND THE NO NAMES channel the gritty-yet-poppy glory of first-wave U.S. hardcore to full effect on this debut release. Hailing from Boise, Idaho, this band has a couple members of SEPTIC DEATH, though you'd probably never guess that from this recording. This tape took me a few listens to warm up to, but I've had the 'Small Town, Small Minds' line from "Scene Hick" stuck in my head for about four weeks now and it's not showing any sign of moving on. (Will) (4-song cassette, lyrics included, headbonesmerch@gmail.com)

BERSICKER – Fitting perfectly into the current global "raw punk" tendency, BERSICKER from the UK pummel your stereo with primitive, bass-heavy d-beat, played at a slow, deliberate tempo alongside some deliciously delayed-to-shit vocals. Lyrical themes are, you guessed it, typical crust fodder (think nuclear war and you'll be off to a warm start), but I was happy to discover the band opting for a more sideways approach than the standard shock-troops-n'-gasmasks fare. Like any good hardcore set, this demo is way, way too short, and always ends right as I remember how fucking stoked on this band I am. (Will) (3-song CD-R, lyrics included, theonebersicker@yahoo.co.uk)

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